Traditional Cut Roof

A truss roof using factory made trusses which are delivered to site complete and just erected.

Traditional cut roof.

The rafters are the main load bearing elements of the roof. The timbers are often 400mm or so centres and vary in size according to span. The roof can be cut in the traditional way or fabricated from mono trusses. This reflects the weatherproofing requirements of older roofing materials like thatch and peg tiles.

Prefabricated trussed rafters also have distinct advantages over traditional cut roofs by being able to clear greater spans without the need for additional supports. A cut roof this is the traditional method of cutting the timber on site and building up the roof using rafters ridge boards joists and purlins etc the exact details being determined by the size of roof size of timbers etc. Our modern design software allows the roof trusses to be designed for virtually any roof shape. Birdsmouth joint as used in the construction of traditional roofs close up of a birdsmouth joint.

The overall construction of a traditional cut roof is to ensure that the load of the roof is evenly transmitted to the walls below. As we have briefly mentioned above the birdsmouth joint is mainly used in forming traditional cut roofs to ensure that the rafters or joists that form the roof sit securely on top of the supporting wall plate. The finished structure is readily adaptable. Dormer windows require their own mini roofs and great care must be given to their detailing and construction.

Traditional or cut roofs usually comprise a series of sloping timbers rafters fixed to a wall plate at their feet and a ridge board or possibly a wall plate at their head. Traditional or cut roof the traditional option is steeply pitched rarely less than 35.