How To Use Framing Square For Roof Pitch

This article will explain the basics of how to cut a roof rafter using a framing square in 4 easy steps.

How to use framing square for roof pitch.

So if the pitch of your roof is 7 12 place one stair gauge on the vertical part of the framing square the tongue at the 7 inches 18 cm mark and place one stair gauge on the horizontal part of the framing square the body at the 12 inches 30 cm mark. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. A long standing use of the framing square that is missed by many new carpenters is the rafter table imprinted right on the framing square itself.

Step 1 determine the roof pitch. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. Square guides are available at most hardware and home improvement centers. A carpenter s framing square includes some tables stamped right into the tool itself.

This data will tell us the required rafter length for a roof of a given pitch or slope. How to use a framing square and its etched on tables to figure out roof slope rafter lengths. From one end of the rafter material using a speed square or framing square mark an x in 12 angle on the rafter and cut it measure down y height from the long point of the rafter cut and make a mark. Framing square guides are small inexpensive metal attachments to the framing square that are locked in position on the square s edges at the pitch and run dimensions to define the roof angle and make the repeated marking of the rafters much more efficient.

The slope or pitch of a roof is measured in inches of vertical rise per foot of horizontal run. Fix stair gauges on the framing square to mark the pitch. For this project you will need.