Layout for Rake Walls
I find it much more productive and safer to build rake walls on the deck and lift them into place. For many years we framed in the gables after the roof was framed and sheathed. This meant that we had to frame and sheathe the gables, build over hangs, install lookouts, add flyrafters (barge board), etc all up in the air. This is slower and more dangerous.
For most of the last decade we were a framing crew of two. So we developed a method that works very well for 2 people. It is easy and efficient. Generally it also means we don’t have to snap lay out. In our rainy area, snapping lines on a wet floor is almost a non starter.
Basically it boils down to layout. After the bottom plate is layed out, we need to transfer that lay out to the sloped or angled top plate. This is very easy to do. I prefer to cut everything to the long point of the bevel, so that means all layout on the bottom plate is on the “uphill” side of the framing members. Once that plate is layed out, we measure and lay out the king stud and transfer that to the top plate. Then we do the same for the stud layout. I always lay out a middle stud and then layout “up” and “down” the plate from that middle stud. I find this keeps layout consistent. You can also start from the end and work up, but I feel like the more often I reset the less accumulated error I’ll end up with.
The attached drawing and YouTube video should make the above clear.
Now you might ask, couldn’t you just figure it all out, pre-cut it and then assemble it? Absolutely yes. What I have found is that I can’t necessarily trust the framing lumber to be as perfect as the math. So ultimately this is more productive for us. I’ll get into the actual framing in a future blog post.
In the drawing below here is the sequence for your calculator.
King stud. 81 INCH RUN, click 6 INCH PITCH, then click DIAG TO GET 90 9/16”
Studs. 48 3/4 INCH RUN 6 INCH PITCH click DIAG to get 54 1/2”
To keep 24” spacing for your studs. 24 INCH RUN 6 INCH PITCH click DIAG, then M+ to store that number
now hit + RCL M+ and keep hitting enter. If your stud spacing is different than 24”, then replace the 24” with your stud spacing.
