All rafters are attached with framing nails, usually 10d or 12d, driven in with a hammer, but specific installations vary according to the type of roof. Some rafters have metal plates at attachment points for extra support. … Nail each rafter to the ridge board with the plumb cuts flush against the sides of the ridge.

What's the difference between a truss and a rafter?

Rafters contain two main outer beams which support the roof structure. On the other hand, trusses come with multiple beams which add more support. Moreover, as said earlier, the entire weight of the roof is equally shared by a series of triangles inside the main frame.

Which way do roof rafters run?

An important thing to know about joists is that they usually run in the same direction throughout a house. If the visible joists in a basement or attic run east to west, for example, you can be fairly certain the invisible joists under the bedroom floor also run east to west.