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General => General Forum => Topic started by: markert2523 on October 28, 2012, 10:25:36 AM

Title: Rafter tails---Plumb or square?
Post by: markert2523 on October 28, 2012, 10:25:36 AM
Simple question.  After my builder installs factory trusses, should I trim the tails plumb so the fascia is plumb?  Or should the fascia be square to the tails and at an angle.  Only one side of the cabin will need guttering.

Thanks
Title: Re: Rafter tails---Plumb or square?
Post by: PEG688 on October 28, 2012, 10:54:46 AM

Plumb , you'll want gutters some day . It looks better cut plumb as well IMO. The only rafter tails that look good cut off  square are log rafters with open soffits , and they look better if they are cut with a band saw to a finger nail profile.

But trusses or rafter tails always look better cut off plumb IMO.

G/L PEG 
Title: Re: Rafter tails---Plumb or square?
Post by: MountainDon on October 28, 2012, 04:37:16 PM
Ditto!  I built using square ends and then later decided gutters would be a good idea. Much harder to do gutters later when confronted with non-plumb rafter tails.  Not that it matters now, but anyone reading this and thinking about trusses.... the manufacturer can do that much easier than you can after the fact.  Just another detail to keep in mind.

Title: Re: Rafter tails---Plumb or square?
Post by: markert2523 on October 28, 2012, 05:33:37 PM
Thanks for the replies.  I think it is a great idea to have the truss company clip the ends.  They have been very helpful and generally will design anything you want and forward a drawing in a very timely manner.
Title: Re: Rafter tails---Plumb or square?
Post by: operose on October 30, 2012, 11:14:56 AM
Might as well put up gutters from the start, then you can use all that glorious rainwater for your own devices!

collectable rainwater (gallons) = 0.5 x rainfall (inches) x area (square feet)

collectable rainwater, eastern states = 15 - 25 gallons per square foot
          collectable rainwater, central states = 10 - 20 gallons per square foot
          collectable rainwater, western states = 5 - 15 gallons per square foot

Water your plants, flush your toilets, wash the car, whatever you gotta do  :)