Where rafter tail sits on top plate of wall,...does that HAVE to be notched?

Question

or can i just side nail it (sister), to joist end? like pre made trusses.

Answer 1

That rafter needs to be notched and nailed along side the ceiling joists, and even using some sort of rafter tie to the top plate(code in some areas).  Doing all of these things make for the strongest triangle and roof system.  Do not try and cut corners, this is the roof that take all the wind and elements to keep you safe.

Answer 2

No offense to answer 1 at all, but you didn't state that this is a ROOF situation. If so it may depend on a design that extends a ROOF beam beyond the top plate, in which case a BIRDS MOUTH should be cut, which might adjust the roof pitch fractionally.

   If you aren't asking about ROOF support, then at the very least you should use the specific PLATES/Brackets, made for such a purpose, and even if a ROOF support beam, a Plate as overkill wouldn't be a bad idea.

  No offense, but so much of your notion might also depend on codes/ zoning/ insurance issues.

Answer 3

It depends on the size of your rafters. If you are using 2" x8" rafters or larger, then you have enough meat on the rafter to afford cutting a notch (birdsmouth) in the rafter. Anything under that I would suggest you nail the rafter securely into the ceiling joist, then toenail the ceiling joist into the top plate.

Some people make mistake of cutting too deep a (birdsmouth) notch in rafter and thus weakening the rafter at this point.

If you want a more secure method, and you don't want to notch rafters. Cut wedge blocks to fit under the rafters. Nail them to the underside of the rafter which will then lay flat on top plate.

Remember to cut your ceiling joist off on angle of rafter at the top. You can do this with a sawzall after the ceiling joist are up.

Line and brace your walls first (make sure they are straight and plumb (vertically correct). Then install ceiling joist first - this holds building together, then install ridge board (if this is double pitched roof), then make a rafter pattern, check to make sure it's right- make one more and tack them up to check. Then cut them all and install.