Focus your efforts on the pattern rafter, and the rest of the roof falls into place easily.

For simple gable or shed roofs, you need to learn this basic building block of roof framing.

Do the math on a calculator so that you can concentrate on what's important: getting the rafters right.

When building houses with trusses made for hips and valleys, careful planning and job-site organization are key to an efficient installation.

How to handle framing a roof that may be "more complicated than it has to be."

Measure from the rafter's bottom edge for exact layout.

Tips from a custom framer make the engineered-lumber learning curve easier to negotiate.

You can use SketchUp to draw roof framing and practice your approach before you're on the job site.

Whether you're tying in new gable dormers or adding a chimney cricket during roof framing, giving the valley jacks a place to land is an easy task with these step-by-step instructions.

If doghouse dormers or shed dormers aren't dressy enough, A-dormers can add an exciting design note, and they're easier to seal against the elements.

An empirical method that works.

Contrary to popular belief, collar ties are not there to support rafters or to keep walls below from spreading under the weight of the roof.

Pro framer Larry Haun shows how to cut and install ceiling joists, rafters, and roof sheathing in the third episode of this framing video series.

Factory-made trusses save time and give you a roof engineered for strength and stability.

Build one roof on top of the other and skip the valley rafters.

See what decisions need to be made about rafter angles and soffit depths, if you are building intersecting roofs on houses with wings of varying widths.

The roofs on most new houses in the United States are built with trusses.

To avoid a sagging ridge or bowed walls, start by understanding how a typical roof frame works

Cedar rafter tails and trim add a handsome touch to this roofline.

Three simple, problem-solving framing techniques.

This roof shape may look complicated, but it's basically the same process as framing a common 45-degree bay-window roof.

Tricky framing transitions, I-joists for rafters, and top-down shingling offer a look at some unconventional but effective techniques.

A graphic way to lay out rafters without using tables.

In this video series, veteran builder Rick Arnold shows us his simplified method for laying out and building a bay roof.

Expert framer Larry Haun details guidelines for working efficiently and accurately.

Overdriving nails is faster and cleaner than pulling them out with a cat's paw.

Starting with straight and square rafters is key to making this job go smoothly.

After you've framed a gable roof, rafter templates and rafter tables are all you'll need to make a hip.