How To Set A Roof Ridge

Rip the ridge board to the correct width to meet the rafter widths at the ridge.

How to set a roof ridge.

Position a ridge board down in the saddles of the supports. In traditional house framing also called stick framing a basic roof frame consists of opposing pairs of sloping rafters that meet at their top ends at a ridge board or ridge beam. Secure each end with one nail on each side. When you reach the top of the roof run your last row long photo 6 and drape the paper over the peak top ridge onto the other side.

Your ridge board should now be square and steady. Once you ve reached the ridge bend the shingle over the ridge so that each side is equal and nail it into place with a single nail on each side. Splicing on the ground is easier but a very long ridge board can be hard to lift and install. Lift the ridge board to the roof and slide it between the rafter ends on each end from the bottom.

In part 3 of our roof framing series we cover how to select a ridge board how to layout a ridge board how to mark it so you know where to fasten the raft. Cut the gable end stud and hand it up. Slide it into place between the ridge and top plate and check that it is perfectly square in all four directions. Brace these supports in the centerline of the building.

Set it in place in the pre formed openings of trusses. When you reach the top on the other side of the roof run that paper up and over as well. Create a saddle at the top with the braces the height of the building walls plus rise less the width of the ridge board. Slide the ridge board between rafter top cuts from the bottom if installing on standard rafters.

Fasten with 16 penny nails. Cut the last ridge shingle to the length you need but be sure that no part of the roof is exposed. That way you ll end up with a watertight ridge. Check the ridge board to make sure it is level and the end rafters are still plumb then add a second nail to each birdsmouth and ridge board connection.

Do the same with the next shingle continuing this step until you get to the far edge of the ridge.