Finishing the Little Roofs

Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 07/24/2012 - 12:09

This project ... building these little roofs over the Momplex front doors ... it only took a day or so. But I think I'm dragging it out into three posts because I loved working on it so much. Wood is definitely my favorite material to work with, and I love revisiting this building project.

Step 1 Diagram
Step 1

We've got the two little roofs framed and anchored to the Momplex, and today we are going to finish them out!

Step 2 Diagram
Step 2 Instructions

We'd just put the rafters up and ridgepole. But the ends are open, and the front rafters have visible birdsmouth notches that we need to cover up.

Step 3 Diagram
Step 3 Instructions

So first, we screw a 2x6 to the end of the rafters. We mark out the placement of the rafters - 24" on center for this project - and attach to the rafters with screws.

Step 4 Diagram
Step 4 Instructions

We'll be covering this part up later with tin, so not terribly worried about exposed screw holes here.

Step 5 Diagram
Step 5 Instructions

Just focusing on getting a good fit.

Now we need to add the fascia board to the front to cover up those birdsmouth cuts.

Step 6 Diagram
Step 6 Instructions

We want this board to fit perfect, so we measure and mark in place.

Step 7 Diagram
Step 7 Instructions

And then attach with the nail gun.

Step 8 Diagram
Step 8 Instructions

This finishes out the roof framing.

We had thought about finishing up the underside of the roof with sofit material,

Step 9 Diagram
Step 9 Instructions

But on this underside of the little roofs, protected from the elements, easy to reach if needed with a brush, I jumped at the chance to put some wood on the Momplex exterior.

Step 10 Diagram
Step 10 Instructions

Before we attach the wood, we square up the little roofs and check for level.

Step 11 Diagram
Step 11

And then the Ram climbs up on top and takes a measurement. Cut me 40.<p><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lxj3vJ8hR2g/UA7o57H6HPI/AAAAAAAALVQ/…; style="height: 313px; " alt="" /><br /></p>

Step 12 Diagram
Step 12

We start by fitting the very top boards in place.

Step 13 Diagram
Step 13

You recognize this nailer.

Step 14 Diagram
Step 14

Still going strong, 10 years, four building and who knows how many pieces of furniture later. We nail the tongue and groove down to the rafters.
<p></p><p><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-skq7CwxTfwQ/UA7or4ISL5I/AAAAAAAALUY/…; alt="" /></p><p></p><p>We are using locally milled tongue and groove. &nbsp;Each board fits into the next to make a beautiful, finished joint.</p>

Step 15 Diagram
Step 15

Once the first boards go in place, the rest slide in and get nailed down faster than I can cut.

Maybe I should stop pausing and admiring our progress!

But it is so beautiful!!!

Not only does the tongue and groove finish out the undersides of the little roofs, but it provides structure and support to the roof, and gives us something to attach roofing too.  

We finish out both roofs the same.

And then use the scrap tongue and groove to fill in the open part between the rafters connected to the ICF walls and the back support.  Very pretty.

Now what color to stain?

We'll see what the roofs look like after we put the roofing on!

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