These two styles are illustrated in [Fig. 229].
Fig. 229. Roof framing
The hip roof is the more pleasing and the more difficult to make. It reduces the attic space, if that is a consideration, and is harder to cover, or rather it consumes more time, as the question of whether a piece of work is difficult or not is really a question of whether or not you know how to do it.
The method of fitting the rafters is shown at [Fig. 230]. To find length of rafters, make a drawing to scale, in which a-b is the height above plate level and c-b half the width of the building measured on the plate or sill. The angle for cutting the mitre at the ridge may be obtained from the drawing, also the angles where the fit occurs at the plate. The length should be distance a-c plus about two feet for the overhang.
A ridge board is usually inserted between the top ends of the rafters, and if made from a 7⁄8-inch board, half an inch should be deducted from the length of rafters to allow for the difference.
The shape of lower end of rafters will depend on the kind of finish or cornice to be used. Two kinds are shown, the first and simpler being suitable for a barn or rough building.
On account of the high price of lumber, most boys will be obliged to use the most inexpensive style of finish.
Cut all the rafters the same size, and in erecting space them as nearly two feet apart as possible.