Building Upward: Students Transition from Wall Framing to Roof Framing

Students in our construction program have reached an exciting milestone in the shed-building project. Over the past several months, they have been working hard to frame and assemble the structure, and they have now successfully completed all of the exterior walls. This phase of the project gave students the opportunity to practice essential framing skills—measuring, cutting, squaring walls, and working together as a team to raise and secure each section of the structure.

With the walls now standing, the class has shifted its focus to the next major stage of the build: the roof. Students are currently learning about roof framing, which introduces a new set of concepts and skills. This includes understanding roof pitch, calculating rafter lengths, and learning how rafters come together to form a strong and stable roof structure.

One of the key skills students are practicing is laying out and cutting rafters. This process requires careful measurement and attention to detail. Students are learning how to mark plumb cuts, seat cuts (also known as birdsmouth cuts), and tail cuts so that each rafter fits properly onto the top plates of the walls. These skills are fundamental in residential construction and give students valuable hands-on experience with real-world carpentry techniques.
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Projects like this help students connect classroom concepts with practical application. As they move through each stage of construction—from framing walls to cutting rafters—they gain a deeper understanding of how structures are built and the craftsmanship required to build them well.
The next steps will involve installing the rafters and beginning to see the roof structure take shape. It has been great to watch students take pride in their work as the shed continues to come together piece by piece.