Roofing might seem daunting to the DIY enthusiast. There are so many terms, methods, and tools to understand. Among them, the term ‘birdsmouth’ stands out. The birdsmouth joint has been a mainstay in ...

Q: I have a redwood patio overhang about 16 by 16 feet. The 2-by-8 rafters are attached to the roof of my house and extend to where they rest on a beam held up by three posts. I needed to replace the ...

I prep each rafter by squaring one end of the board. Rough-sawn and pressure-treated material usually isn't completely square, or it can be rough-cut on the ends. I do this either with a miter saw or ...