Rafter Tails For Your Home

Rafter tails are the exposed exterior portion of a building’s wood structural truss, which projects beyond the perimeter wall of the structure. This structural element is secured to the top of the wall or tie beam, and then projects to support the soffit overhang. The rafter tail is typically scrolled and detailed, a major component of the timber frame construction’s soffit system. Depending on where it is used on a home, a rafter tail may also be called an Outlooker, Outrigger, Lookout, or Tailpiece. These components support the soffit system, cantilever deck, or gable end; all of which consist of tongue and groove roof decking and the fascia or exterior trim board.