Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters - Chapter 18 - Reading Guide

Oct 25, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

Chapter 18 explains how to lay out and cut hip rafters, valley rafters, and jack rafters for complex roof framing. It defines key terms such as hip, valley, jack rafter, seat cut, backing the hip, dropping the hip, addition, and dormer, including doghouse dormers. The guide clarifies when each rafter type is required, how hip and valley rafters relate to common rafters in rise and thickness, and why intersecting roofs demand more complex framing. It also supports student vocabulary building and organizes rafter information in a chart.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter Objectives

Content and Academic Vocabulary

Graphic Organizer

18.1 Hip Rafters

Understanding Complex Roofs

Hip Rafter Layout

How the Parts Fit

Hip, Valley, & 18 Jack Rafters Section 18.1 Hip Rafters Section 18.2 Valley Rafters Section 18.3 Jack Rafters Chapter Objectives After completing this chapter, you will be able to: • Explain how to lay out a hip rafter for a given roof. • Explain how to lay out a valley rafter for a given roof. • Determine the rafter overhang for a hip or valley rafter. • Deﬁne a dormer. • Explain how to lay out a jack rafter for a given roof. • Summarize why the intersection of two roofs calls for more complex framing. Discuss the Photo Rafters Rafters are made up of geometric shapes. What shapes and types of angles do you see in this picture? Writing Activity: Categorizing Information As a class, observe or ﬁnd photographs of at least sixteen different roofs on houses in your community. Place like roofs together. After you have ﬁnished reading the chapter, categorize each roof by type: gable roofs, hip roofs, and intersecting roofs (including dormers). Create a brief description of each type of roof. 502 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters Photodisc/Getty Im ages 18 Before You Read Preview Roof framing with hip, valley, and jack rafters is more complex than framing entirely with common rafters. Choose a content vocabulary or academic vocabulary word that is new to you. When you find it in the text, write down the definition. Content Vocabulary ● hip rafter ● valley rafter ● jack rafter ● seat cut ● backing the hip ● dropping the hip ● addition ● dormer ● doghouse dormer Academic Vocabulary You will find these words in your reading and on your tests. Use the academic vocabulary glossary to look up their definitions if necessary. ■ hypotenuse ■ significant ■ ensure Graphic Organizer As you read, use a chart like the one shown to organize information about the three types of rafters. | hip rafter | valley rafter | jack rafter | | --- | --- | --- | | forms a raised area, or hip, usually extending from the corner of the building diagonally upwards to the ridge | | | | | | | [Go to](Go to glencoe.com)[ glencoe.com](Go to glencoe.com) for this book’s OLC for a downloadable version of this graphic organizer. Academic Standards English Language Arts Use information resources to gather information and create and communicate knowledge (NCTE 8) Participate as members of literacy communities (NCTE 11) Mathematics Measurement: Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurements (NCTM) Geometry: Analyze characteristics and properties of two-and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships (NCTM) Science Science and Technology: Abilities of technological design (NSES) Industry Standards Framing in Wood Roof, Ceiling, and Wall Framing NCTE National Council of Teachers of English NCTM National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NSES National Science Education Standards Chapter 18 Reading Guide 503 18.1 Hip Rafters Understanding Complex Roofs When is a hip rafter called for? A simple gable roof can be built entirely with common rafters. However, a carpenter must also knowhow to lay out and cut hip, valley, and jack rafters. These rafters, shown in Figure 18-1, are required when framing complex roofs, such as hip roofs and intersecting gable roofs (for more on roof types, see Chapter 17,“Basic Roof Framing”). A hip rafter forms a raised area, or hip, usually extending from the corner of the building diagonally upwards to the ridge. A valley rafter forms a depression in the roof instead of a hip. Like the hip rafter, it extends diagonally from the top plate to the ridge. A hip rafter is called for only when framing a hip roof, but a valley rafter is needed on both hip and gable roofs whenever roof planes intersect. Ajack rafter is a shortened common rafter that maybe framed to a hip rafter, a valley rafter, or both. Thus, there ar

FAQs

When is a hip rafter called for in roof framing?

A hip rafter is called for when framing a hip roof. A carpenter must still know how to lay out and cut hip, valley, and jack rafters for complex roof types.

What is the difference between a hip rafter and a valley rafter?

A hip rafter forms a raised area that runs diagonally from the top plate to the ridge, while a valley rafter forms a depression in the roof where planes intersect.

How does a jack rafter relate to hip and valley rafters?

A jack rafter is a shortened common rafter that may be framed to a hip rafter, a valley rafter, or both, resulting in hip jack rafters and valley jack rafters.

Oct 25, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel