Lookouts for 12" gable ends?

[Innovate1]

Have seen a few threads on lookouts. I have 12" overhang on gable ends and nothing on the plans about lookouts or any detail on how those are framed. The truss company drawings show full size frames (not really trusses) for the gable ends. Roof sheeting is 1/2" osb. What's the thinking on when lookouts are needed? I have seen them as 2x on edge and also have seen them flat.

 

[isb cornbinder]

What is a look-out?

 

[LX-Markham]

had to look it up, never heard that term before

Lookouts cantilever over the gable end top plate (or rake?) to support a fly-rafter.

 

[DPG]

We did not use lookouts with 12" overhangs. Never had an issue. Anything over 12" - yes. If you want them, tell the truss supplier to drop the top cord on the gables 3 1/2" and frame it per the detail that Markham posted. You can also do them with flat 2x4 and just notch the top cord.

 

[Stuart in MN]

For only a 12" overhang, you can just build a 'ladder' type structure and fasten it to the end truss. Combined with the sheathing it will be plenty strong. I did the same thing on my garage that has an 18" overhang 25 years ago with no issues at all since then.

 

[Ben W]

Suggest building a ladder frame on the ground. Screw the one side to the standard truss/rafter and the other becomes your fascia.

 

[KenC]

Yep, ladder fastened to the truss, deck and soffit below. becomes a rigid box structure. No sag.

 

[Innovate1]

Fly rafter will probably be 2 x 6. Are the "rungs" of the ladder made the same size? Would be more rigid that way. Or is everything but the fly rafter usually 2 x 4?

Is the ladder applied over the sheeting or directly to truss?

 

[Kaizen]

Lookouts for 12" gable ends?

The ladder is screwed with grk or the like structural screws to the edge of the end truss. Usually 2x4 to keep thin and reduce weight. Sheath or finish it as much as you can. I sheathed the bottom of it and did the fascia.
I used 5/8 for roof and screwed through it esp at edge to give the overhang support. The ends of the eaves fascia also supports it.
To use what you showed you should get the first truss lower so the outlooks are tied back to second truss and the ladder is made like a cantilever.

After I built mine I realized silo install would be dangerous so I screwed 2x6x12s to the top of the overhang flat so 11 feet were resting on top of other trusses and acting as a counterbalance. Put two on (top and middle) then was able to slide it up into place and sink a few screws to hold it while I secured it.


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[Boilerhouse]

My overhang is 16 in. and we live in a snow belt, so there is a lot of load on the roof. As mentioned, the gable truss is designed to sit lower to accommodate the height of the lookouts. My roof length is about 20 ft. and I built the lookouts (like a ladder shape) on the ground in 10 ft sections and hauled them up, screwed them just to hold them, and fastened them down with 3 1/2" ardox. It was a bit of a struggle doing this alone, but a couple people would have no problem.

 

[Michigan Mike]

For a 12 inch overhang no outlooks needed. When you plywood the roof skip every other sheet going up the gable end. Make sure the gable truss is plumb at the ridge. Snap a chalk line from the ridge to plate line on the outside of the truss. Adjust the the truss to the line and nail it, You now have a straight gable end. Measure out 12 inches from the gable end truss and snap another line set the rake rafter to the line. Cut off exsess plywood at the line. Fill in the missing pieces of plywood. I live in a house that I helped frame forty years ago. This is the method we used. I can go out and sight the rakes and they are straignt no sag and no dip at the ridge line.

 

[Jackfre]

You don't say how long the run is on the roof. I would still put them on but only at every 3-4'. I just cut out the gabel rafter and run a 2x4 flat out to the barg rafter.

 

[rayra]

Your roof cladding / sheathing adds to their strength, as well.
If yours is a steel roof on purlins, it's easy to just place them out the distance you want for your gable eave. Or sister some rafter ends to do so.

 

[dfiler2]

We have always just built the ladder and fastened it to the end rafter and run the sheating out over it for 12" overhang. For two foot overhang we would use a drop end gable rafter and build the look outs.

 

[bad_idea]

If you want them, tell the truss supplier to drop the top cord on the gables 3 1/2" and frame it per the detail that Markham posted.

That's what I did on my 30x40x12 with 6/12 shingled roof. I'm in a 110 MPH wind zone, I went overboard on most details. Minimal extra effort for a stronger building.