Roof Components - Valley Rafters

With the selection list at the top of the dialog box you can choose existing settings. Using the disk icon you can save the current setting under the same name or a new name. Via the management icon you can create new settings, also by adopting existing settings, or modify or delete existing settings. See 'Save settings' in the 'General Help' manual.

Identification number: The identification number determines the material of the valley rafter. Using the button at the end of the field, you can branch into the database and select a material.

Width: Width of the valley rafter.

Height: Height of the valley rafter. For the height, a fixed value can be entered or it can be calculated based on the rafters. If you choose the option 'according to rafters', the following fields are activated. There you can enter a rounding value and the birdsmouth height for both sides.

Rounding for height: If the height of the valley rafter is calculated based on the rafters, you can enter a rounding value here. The calculated height will then be rounded up to the next full value set here. Thus a value of '0.02m' will always yield heights (cm): 10, 12, 14, 16, etc.

Birdsmouth height left: For the 'according to rafters' calculation the program requires the birdsmouth heights from the left and right sides of the valley rafter.

Birdsmouth height right: For the 'according to rafters' calculation the program requires the birdsmouth heights from the left and right sides of the valley rafter.

Base offset: There are different options for the base offset:

None: Even with unequal roof pitches the valley rafter is not shifted; it is installed centered on the valley line. The side faces are then of different heights.

Equal birdsmouth depth: The valley rafter is shifted so that the birdsmouth depth of the valley rafter and thus the height of the side faces are the same. However, this results in one birdsmouth stepping back relative to the underside of the valley rafter.

Birdsmouth flush: The valley rafter is shifted so that both birdsmouths are flush with the underside of the valley rafter. The birdsmouth depths and thus the height of the side faces will then be different.

Value: The base offset can be freely controlled by entering a value.

Position: Position in which the valley rafter should be installed. Typically this is position 0, in which the rafters are also located.

Lower by: The valley rafter can be lowered by the value entered here.

Configuration of the valley rafter top side: The top side of the valley rafter can be notched or straight (without notch). Three options are available:

straight: The top side receives no notch and the top of the valley rafter is at the height of the rafter top. One or both upper edges of the valley rafter (depending on roof pitch and base offset) then touch the roof covering.

Notched: The valley rafter is notched.

straight at valley line: The top side receives no notch and the top of the valley rafter is at the height of the valley line. As a result the valley rafter lies deeper than with the 'straight' option.

Configuration of the valley rafter underside: On the underside the valley rafters can optionally be straight or chamfered. If the height of the valley rafter is calculated by the program and not entered as a fixed value, then the valley rafter height increases by the chamfer height. This dimension is calculated automatically. If you let the valley rafter height be calculated from the rafters, set the rounding to 0.0 and the base offset to 'Birdsmouth flush', you obtain a smooth transition between birdsmouth and chamfer surfaces.

Ignore openings, valley rafter continues through opening: If this option is set to 'Yes', the valley rafter will ignore an opening that lies exactly on the ridge line. The valley rafter will then not be separated. This is useful when the valley rafter should first be installed completely and only separated on site.

Rafter nail hole: A rafter nail hole can be created in two ways. It can simply be an annotation at the notch or it can create a dedicated drill hole. Normally the rafter nail hole is set on the purlin and all rafters, hip rafters, and valley rafters that receive a notch from that purlin also receive this rafter nail hole. In some cases a single component should receive a different rafter nail hole. Then you can give that component its own setting. Both options have different properties:

From purlin: The rafter nail hole is inherited from the purlin that creates the notch in the valley rafter. This can be a rafter nail hole as an annotation at the notch or an independent rafter nail hole, depending on the setting on the purlin.

Rafter nail hole: Below this group you can choose a separate, detailed setting that then applies only to this valley rafter and "overrides" the setting on the purlin. If one of these options is selected the rafter nail hole is no longer generated as an annotation at the notch, but a standalone drill hole is created that is also represented as such. In addition, the rafter nail can also be generated.

Valley rafter at left eave: For the connection of the valley rafter to an eave you can optionally set the option 'section' or '2 sections'. You can view and change the parameters with which the selected processing is executed via the button at the right end of the field.

Valley rafter at right eave: Different settings can be made for the right and left sides of the valley rafter (as seen from the eave). Depending on the selected settings, conflict situations may arise that result in different sections than expected. In such a case you should check the settings for the left and right sides.

Valley rafter at ridge: As soon as a valley rafter ends at a ridge line, it receives the connection set here. With the option '1 plumb cut' it is cut parallel to the ridge; with the option '2 plumb cuts' it is cut parallel to the ridge on one side and perpendicular to the ridge on the other side. When several valley rafters converge at a point, they automatically intersect with each other in the contact area. The valley rafters automatically receive an air gap at the ridge if this is set under 'File - Settings - Limits, Processing'.

Valley rafter at roof kink: When a valley rafter ends at a roof kink, it receives one of the possible connections shown here. With the option '2 plumb cuts' the valley rafter is cut plumb at both kink lines. With the option 'Adjust' the valley rafter is adapted to the already existing other valley rafter. Therefore it depends on how that connecting valley rafter looks.

Double valley rafter: A second valley rafter can be created beneath the normal valley rafter. With the option 'centered' a second valley rafter is generated. This is automatically placed centered beneath the upper valley rafter.

Width: Width of the second valley rafter.

Height: Height of the second valley rafter.

Setback from building outline: As a rule the second valley rafter does not end at the eave like the upper one, but ends at the building outline or at a specific distance from it. This distance, relative to the building outline, can be entered here.

After setting all values and options you can enter the purlins using the following controls:

All valley lines: The configured valley rafter will be generated on all valley lines.

Valley lines: The valley rafter will be generated on the valley line or lines that were selected graphically.

Length-limited: The length and position of the valley rafter can be entered using two points.