anyone know 'roof pitch' ~ Construction / Architects discussion

[IBhacknU]

for example, is a 6/12 roof equal to a 12" rise for every 6' in length?

 

[NFS4]

rise over run

raises 6 feet for every 12 feet in length

 

[IBhacknU]

hmmm???

thnxs

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Take the distance from the roof inside your house up to the peak.

Then divide it by the length from the center of the roof (peak) of the roof to the edge/eaves/gutters.

 

[IBhacknU]

I'm putting plans together (or ideas at least) for the house I'm building next year. I've got a height restriction I'm working against though

 

[searcher]

Could you hum a few bars?

Michael

 

[IBhacknU]

ha ha.. very funny

 

[Soybomb]

That cowbell has an ugly face btw

 

[flippinfleck]

If you are doing the plans yourself, you may want to get in contact w/a pro before you fall in love w/a house that does not work! I went to school for carpentry and worked in the field for almost 2years, there are a LOT of things you have to keep into consideration when designing a house. Like for instance, you mention the roof... do you have the weight for the roof figured out yet? I mean, all of it. Shingles, ply, rafters, ridge, snow, etc etc. These all come into play when you start messin w/the pitch. Also, style of roof is important. Just thought I would burst your bubble now before it gets too big. BTW, to answer your q, first number will be the rise, second will be the run. Usually expressed in inches, smaller numbers are easier to work with. Peace

>edit Cowbell had a face? edit<

 

[cpars]

IBhacknU,

4/12 for example would 4&quot;(vertical) rise to every 12&quot; (Horizontal)you can use the old Pythagorean Theorem (a^2+b^2=c^2) to calculate totals.

If you have more questions just look up my profile and visit my website or mail me and I will answer any questions you have. I am a licensed building contractor.

 

[MISTER 2 U]

IbhacknU,
the way a roof pitch would read on plans is 4/12 would be 4&quot; of rise for every 12&quot; in lenght.
To figure what your height would be you would have to take the overall span (out side face wall to out side face of wall) of your roof and divide by 2 that will give you your span. I.E. = 24&quot; building width would be a 12' span.
Than multiply that number times 4 that will give you your height in inches (48&quot convert to feet = 4'.
the hieght from top plate (top of wall) to top of ridge is 4' now you need to add the heel height (the height of rafter or truss that sits above top plate) of your rafter above the top plate to that figure I.E. a roof truss is about 4&quot; depending on your specs. I like to add 6&quot; myself.This number will change when ever you change roof pitch.

From looking at your profile you are from Hawaii? I do not know what the building codes are there but,what I have seen
on TV they seem strick.It seems that the buildings are designed for floods and storm loads and wind shear.
What are the building materials that you will be using to build your house???

I am also in the building field here on the main land.I do architectual drafting for a living,I specialize in doing
working or permit drawings for builders and architects if you have any more questions send me a PM or email.

 

[chansen]

The amount of knowledge hidden within these forums is astounding!

If you need any structural advice (calculating loads, etc.), I'm a structural engineer by trade.

Regards,
CRaig

 

[dcdomain]

Woah sweet! Lot of people in the construction industry in these forums! I'm an Architecture major at CMU, second year... just visited a carpentry school last week. Is it me or did I sense some tension there? =)

How'd this feud between architects and carpenters get started anyway? I guess not everyone is part of this feud, cuz the three carpenters I worked with erecting a small 8 by 8 frame of a house were really cool. But all the teachers at the carpentry school kept emphasising the tension that existed and that we all needed to understand each others jobs a little more and respect each other.

Any of you in the industry want to fill me in?

 

[cpars]

well all we need now are plumbing,electrical,hvac contractors and we can fix ya right up. matter of fact send me some plane tickets and we will come build it for you, just kidding not sure how long it would take me to get licensed there would love to see the place in person though

 

[cpars]

LOL! yes Dcdomain it exists but it really depends on personalities.

 

[dcdomain]

By the way, I'm trying to get some sort of construction job this summer, I don't really care if I get paid or not, but I think it'll be pretty hard finding one am I right? Since I'm obviously not in the union, and there are some legal things if I get hurt or what not on the job... anyone know where I could go to apply for such a job? Since architectural internships don't even count until your 3rd year, I figured I could get some practical experience at the site before I get couped up in a damn studio...

By the way, how's the industry looking like in the next couple of years? From my perspective, it doesn't look too good. Economy's cooling off, by the time I get out of school it'll probably be a b1tch for me to find a job huh? My dad's trying to convince me to go to China to work, but I have to honestly say I'll need to brush up on my Chinese a lot, and the living standards there (in some areas I've visited) just aren't up to par...

 

[MISTER 2 U]

domain,

<<<<How'd this feud between architects and carpenters get started anyway? I guess not everyone is part of this feud, cuz the three carpenters I worked with erecting a small 8 by 8 frame of a house were really cool. But all the teachers at the carpentry school kept emphasising the tension that existed and that we all needed to understand each others jobs a little more and respect each other.>>>>>>

Lets see were to start &quot;architects are refered to as a jack of all trades but master of none.&quot;
Being a architect you have to know a little about ALL the building trades in order to put the building together.
I belive that fued goes something like this:

As a tradesperson in the field you know how to do your job and do not like it when someone comes along and tells you
your job or how to do it.Well thats what acrhitects tend to do, they do a great design but, do not have all the know how to build it, thats why we have tradesmen.As a tradesmen you start to get upset with this person trying to tell you how to do your job.I belive this is how it all started.

I know some good architects and some bad ones also.Ever heard of a SKYCRANE? It has got to the point that architects in school now tend to get taught how to DESIGN a building and not that much on the construction side.You spend about six years now in school???? to become a architect how many years do they teach you hands on building , electrical,HVAC ect. ect.
Do you think that by building a 8x8 shed helps you build a highrise????

most of the good architects that I know have a building background and this is what makes a better architect.
I think you are going in the right direction by looking for a summer job in the construction field.
Yes their is plenty of work to be found union or non union.I read this in Architectual magazine:
<<<<Asked of architects: &quot;What do you like about architectual interns&quot;
number one resoponse -- They work for low wages

 

[zogar]

love the cowbell. and the rise over run answer is the correct one.

 

[dcdomain]

Yeah, being a CAD monkey definitely sucks! My program runs for five years, then after graduating I need three years of internship before I can take the licensing exam. However, the internships start counting after my third year, so if I work during the summers between my 3rd and 4th year, and my 4th and 5th year, it'll count down on the three years I need. It kinda sucks, as an architect, you really don't get to design your own stuff or make any decent money until you hit 40+ or so. So basically, I pay around $33k for five years, and I make barely enough to cover it for most of my career.

I wish my school would provide more hands on experiences. But then again, they don't even teach us CAD! Can't believe that crap... we have to take crap courses like statistics, but they don't have any courses to teach us any CAD software. I guess that's where the internships come into play, you learn the process in the real world, CAD and get on site experience.

I guess with only 5 years, it's really hard to fit too much construction and site courses in. Right now I'm taking materials and assembly which is obvious what it teaches, then next year, I know there's a site course, and the studio is basically devoted to site. That's really the weed out course, most people drop out because of that course. I'm not sure what other courses pertain to the other end of the design process. I know somewhere in fourth and fifth, it dwelves heavily in urban design...

About the feud, I guess architects look like jackasses when they play Mr. Know-it-all. The thing is, coming from the architects side, with all the time and effort we put into a design, some of us may become overprotective of the design and resist changes to it at the site. Even when it does make sense what the contractor is considering. During lecture today, my M&amp;A professor talked about how much convincing it took to get the contractors to use Wooden I Joists/ Truss Joists when it was first available. I'm not sure how much exposure carpenters, and contractors are exposed to newly available materials, and I do understand that the construction side of the job is very tight in terms of time. And it is also physically demanding, so I don't know how much time you guys have to abe able to check out what else is going on in the industry.

On the construction job topic, my school aids the students before every summer in finding architectural internships, but I'm not sure if they will help me find a construction job. Will it be better for me to look for a job with a small group that say... builds small houses, or should I go looking for one of the bigger ones that may be building larger structures? I'm guessing the smaller ones would be better right? How should I approach them? I'm not sure how to go about finding numbers/emails/mail addresses for construction firms near my hometown, so should I just walk on site and ask? Not sure if they'll put up with me since they are obviously working...

 

[cpars]

Well I will try to keep this to a minimum, I have worked with many different types of architects, some I have liked and some I did not I especially like the details that say &quot;built by others&quot; on the plans where you have a bearing situation on a header for a stair cutout such as in floor truss system or a cantilever etc. or another good one is &quot;field verify&quot; on an existing structural member, when the shop drawings have already been approved and structural steel is already fabricated and ready to be delivered. That is typically why there is a consulting engineer assigned to the project as well. have also ran into several circumstances where rise and run were given for stringers on a set of stairs that had two given points, one being your elevation to the next level (rise) the next being something such as a door way that would be obstructed at the given (run)(ideally 7 1/4 X 11) I have ran into this a few times and called the architect most of the time they ask can you fix it within the code without redesign and yes I can, and I have had others argue that it is correct and just build it as drawn to which I have only to tear out and rebuild at their cost or the owners (thats between them).
In other words I will be as professional as they are no more no less.

On the issue with measuring roof it is very simplistic and can be calculated as described by cutting it theoretically into two right traingles
and so on (if a common gable style), if however you needed to know all you member lengths use the Pythagorean Theorem to figure the Hypotenuse to get your rake and you would need this also when figuring for rafter length (if stick built)also to figure area for plywood decking, felt and shingles. Also you height at the plate line will be dependant on what type your overhang will be and how much, you will want to use simpson hurricane clips at plate line, struts and webbing per engineer with (collar ties on vaulted optional) and gang nailers, or just order trusses. you most provide adequete ventelation at roof area per your local building codes per sq.ft of attic space and ridge vents are suggested here, also you may need to check to see if you are in a fault zone as that requires seismic reinforcing. Live load specifications are per classification.

You can draw an elephant in a 10X12 room in the center of a structure with no doors and a ceiling. can i accomplish that...yes is it practical ...no

 

[tinneric]

I used to teach this stuff, it is 6&quot; rise with 12&quot; run

 

[rahvin]

<<I know some good architects and some bad ones also.Ever heard of a SKYCRANE? It has got to the point that architects in school now tend to get taught how to DESIGN a building and not that much on the construction side.You spend about six years now in school???? to become a architect how many years do they teach you hands on building , electrical,HVAC ect. ect.
Do you think that by building a 8x8 shed helps you build a highrise????>>

Skycrane is the name of a product produced by a major helicopter maker (I couldn't spell it if I tried, it's a russian name). It is a helicopter that is capable of lifting 20+tons. What relevance this has to what you are saying is beyond me, if you are implying that architects design cranes you are severly misguided, this is the domain of civil engineers.

Lol, no architect can sign a set of structural plans for anything over 3 stories. Hell a general civil engineer can't sign plans for anything over 10 stories usually (it depends on the state, most require a structural PE license to sign plans with more than 10 stories). Architects generally design the floorplan and layout of the house as well as the aesthetic appearance, in 90% of cases a structural engineer designs the structural details of any building. (the other 10% is architects that handle single family dwellings and have enough background in structural details to design small wood frame homes).

 

[MISTER 2 U]

<<<<<<<<<You can draw an elephant in a 10X12 room in the center of a structure with no doors and a ceiling. can i accomplish that...yes is it practical ...no>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ROFLMAO

 

[prodigy]

I have no clue about 'roof pitch' but I do know 'cowbell'

 

[MISTER 2 U]

<<<<<<<Skycrane is the name of a product produced by a major helicopter maker (I couldn't spell it if I tried, it's a russian name). It is a helicopter that is capable of lifting 20+tons. What relevance this has to what you are saying is beyond me, if you are implying that architects design cranes you are severly misguided, this is the domain of civil engineers. >>>>>>>

SKYCRANE = builder terms/A cable that comes out of the sky to hold up a structural part of a building with no support under.
I.E. a deck that someone has cantilevered about 20ft with no support under &quot;you would need a skycrane to hold up the deck&quot;
lol