There are several variables to consider when determining the proper rafter size.
Stick built roof 2x4 max length.
This sizing guide for roof rafters will help determine what you need for your small project.
However constructing a stick framed roof is not always easy.
Weather you re building a shed roof or adding a dormer to your second story it is important to choose the proper size rafter.
Roof overhangs can extend farther than 2 feet but beyond this length they begin to lose structural integrity and require external.
For example in the rafter span table below the highlighted cell in the 40 live load table indicates that 2 x 8 southern yellow pine joists that have a grade of 2 that are spaced 24 apart can have a maximum span of 10 feet 3 inches 10 3 if designing for a live load of 40 lbs ft 2.
After they re up you can snap a line to mark and trim the tails in a nice straight line to make up for any ridge warp or marking cutting and fixing errors.
Sample maximum roof beam span table feet inches spruce pine or fir no 1 or no 2 with 31 3 psf of snow loading.
Here the maximum length of the overhang is a recommended 24 inches.
Once again you will need to look at your local charts and use your local snow load factor to determine the maximum span for a given wood rafter size.
Gable roof framing calculator plan diagram with full dimensions for a good straight fascia add an extra inch or 2 to the tails of all your rafters total length.
Whether it s because of the growing size of houses or because roofs are getting more complicated the code requirements for stick framing roofs have become more complex.
For example in texas where stick framing is common there are entire crews specializing only in framing roofs.