On a recently constructed addition, my framer cut the birdsmouths much too long, with some of the cuts going almost halfway through the rafter.
Should I be concerned? I was considering going over the birds mouth with tie plates. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
To answer the first question, it depends on the extent of the cuts, the span supported, wood species, and the roof loading. (snow or no snow....)
They notch seems like the framer used a circular saw on the individual rafter and went long. so the first question is what the actual depth profile of the cut is. (from how deep the saw blade was set, and it's diameter)
If you decide this is load-compromising, I would think the better solution would be to sister a rafter section along side the deepest side of the cut.
The horizontal cut doesn't seem too troubling as it would be cut completely if there was a ceiling joist sitting beside the rafter.
The vertical cut may need some attention as you and mike mention. Even a piece of plywood scrap glued and screwed should help.
Sorry but that is pretty sloppy workmanship. Probably more of a visual problem than structural.
That cut is completely wrong. The bottom edge of the rafter should meet the top corner of the top plate. The bird's mouth is notched outside of this. I don't know what this cut looks like on the outside but the inside is wrong. Your framer didn't have a clue. Is that beat up looking thing next to the rafter supposed to be a ceiling joist? If you put ceiling joists on top of the wall there will be a little triangle below the joist. Other wise your ceiling height would be goofy and your walls would not be 8'. Your rafters have been weakened substantially since they are no longer the full depth at the point of maximum sheer. It's not just the over cut but the notch itself that does thisk but the vertical over cut compounds the problem. The rafter depth is reduced to half. I don't see any quick fix. If you haven't paid for this then don't.. If I were an inspector I wouldn't buy this at all.
Code standard is maximum of 1/4 of the depth of the rafter.