The Hipped Roof – Part 2 Pattern Rafters
M. MartinOriginal 2005
Reviewed 2006
Lets first look at the pattern we know, then add to it.
For the hip lets look at it in solid form, for there is marks we need
to place on the edge as well
Cut for eaves overhang
Cut for top end of rafter Centre line
Birdsmouth
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With a hipped roof, we need to add creeper cuts to this pattern
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We can do this with your square or by measurement
The two distances you need are either (1) rafter spacings at base of square, or (2) true length at the top.
Now this becomes the centre line of first creeper
Measurements and calculations• Before we go any further, lets note down some more
figures.• (1) Rafter spacings, for our exercise, lets say they are
at 450mm centres. This means your centre to centre measurement on base of square would be 450mm.
• (2) Now for the true measurement at top, if you choose to do it this way, we need to do a simple calculation. Remember our ‘True length per / m’?
• True length per / m x rafter centres gives you measurement (2) above.
• 1.133 x .450 = .509mm• Lets look at the rafter again
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Steel Square centre to centre measurement
450mm measured at base of square
True length centre to centre measurement
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True length of 509mm is measured at top of rafter.
1st Creeper adjustment
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Centre line of first creeper
From this centre line point we need to mark the ‘long point for the first creeper' and we can do this with two simple measurements.
1) half mitre thickness of the hip
2) Half the thickness of a rafter. First lets look at what this means
Adjustment measurements
Half the mitre thickness of a hip
Half the thickness of a rafter
Adjustments on the rafter
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Centre line of first creeper
Gives you long point of first creeper
Back half mitre thickness of hip
Forward half thickness of rafter
The Geometry as to Why
Now lets look at the rafter again
Pattern Rafter with first Creeper
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Centre line of first creeper
Long point of first creeper
The last step is to mark remaining creepers, which you do with centre to centre measurement, either by square or by measurement of true length.
Marking remaining creepersNote: this will be there long point
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Start from long point of first creeper
Simply mark remaining long points from here, the simplest way is with a steel square
Long point of next creeper, and continue down the length of the rafter for longer lengths
One more item – the Crown end cut
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Simply measure ½ the thickness of a rafter from original centre mark, this is your crown end cut.
Crown end cut
Your finished Pattern for a hipped roof
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Crown end cut
Common Rafter cut
Centre line of ridge
First creeper long point
Second creeper long point
Birdsmouth
Plumb cut for eave overhang
Remember: longer rafter, more creepers marked
Have another look at the Hipped Roof