Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 216 Section 4 Reading Prints Stair Framing To correctly install a staircase, some planning is needed. An elevation view of the stair is normally provided. There are several terms used to describe a stair. See Figure 12-21. • Stringer. The angled member running between the lower and upper floors that supports the stairs is the stringer. A 2×8, r r 2×10, or 2×12 can be used for a stringer, depending on how wide and long the staircase is. The stringers are cut and installed while the wall and floor framing is completed. • Jack rafters. Jack rafters have shorter spans and extend to either hip or valley rafters. Hip jacks extend from the top plate to a hip rafter. Valley jacks extend from a valley rafter to the ridge. Cripple jacks run between valley and hip rafters. Another roof framing member is the purlin, a hori- zontal member laid over truss rafters or under a series of rafters to support long rafters. Collar Center line of ridge Ridge Line length of rafter Overhang Span Run Rise Seat cut Plumb cut Bird’s mouth Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 12-18. Common roof and truss framing terms. Slope symbol Studer Residential Designs, Inc. Figure 12-19. A detail drawing showing the dimensions of a roof truss and the roof slope.