Between the rafters question

[jeria]

What is a good way to add hardware cloth in between these rafters? I want to leave it open for ventilation. It will be under the roofed run area. A 1x2 will take care of the spaces directly under the beams. It's the logistics of how to do it that has me a bit stuck.

The door frame isn't completed and it will not have that gap when finished and one of the 4x8's for the roof is just sitting up there at an odd angle as I was shoving it around today giving me some head space.

 

[Sara Ranch]

If it was me, and if I understood your question correctly, I would attach the hardware cloth OVER the top of the rafters and secure. Then if there is a roof (looks like something will be there) then attach that OVER the hardware cloth.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I am a bit confused......
Are you putting a solid wood roof on the run?
If so will it cover the whole run?

Where there is a solid roof no hardware cloth needed. Where you leave open lay the hardware cloth across the top and secure. Adding 1x2 with screws can secure the hardware cloth quite well. There are many ways to attach the wire. Making it secure would be the important thing.

 

[jeria]

May be this will help. Here is the entire coop sort of a top view from my kitchen. The rafters go left to right in the photo. It's the left side of the coop that I'm wondering about how to put on the hardware cloth mesh.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Don't put something BETWEEN the rafters - put the hardware cloth OVER the rafters and sandwich it between wood.

 

[jeria]

I need to put the mesh between the rafters in the open space they create. I want to leave it open for ventilation. We have lots of coons; coons could get in that open space. My run won't be finished for a week or so and I do want to move my chickens to the coop. I also want my coop secure as a second barrier if they would manage to get inside the run at night. With that space having no mesh it will not be secure.

 

[Sara Ranch]

I think there is a misunderstanding. I get that you want to leave the rafters protected with hardware cloth but not put a roof over it so that it's open for ventilation.

It's a lot easier to roll out hardware cloth and attach it than it is to cut each piece and attach it between the rafters.

On a project a few years back, I had this idea that I HAD to put hardware cloth between the posts. It made logical sense and was a pain and time consuming to do.

Then I had my "AHA!" moment and said, "Duh, I could wrap the cloth AROUND the outside instead of cutting pieces and trying to attach them to the posts." So much easier and faster.

If this won't work for you, cut the hardware cloth and staple it to the wood. Then hammer in the staples to make sure the wood staples are secure. Best to put another piece of wood over the edges of the hardware cloth so no varmint rips the cloth away.

If you are putting hardware cloth down the side walls, I would do it the same way.

If I am misunderstanding what you are asking, I am sorry.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would agree with laying the wire over top and sandwiching it between wood.
That means getting some 1x2s to put on top of the wire that is on top of the rafters. To avoid splitting the wood pre drill holes for screws with a 1/8th inch bit.

So very much stronger as well because any thing getting on top of the run will have their weight taken up largely by the rafters.

 

[jeria]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. There will be a solid roof over the entire coop and run-- actually plywood with metal roofing over that. The roof is to protect from weather and predators. I'm simply trying to figure out a simple way to cover those open areas between the rafters, the roof and the top of the coop wall framing with hardware mesh. The roof itself simply is not yet anchored and I have been moving one section of it around so I don't bump my head all the time working on the coop interior today. with it there it shows the spacing of what is open for ventilation.

 

[21hens-incharge]

OK now I understand....I think.

You are talking about the vertical sections between rafters just above and at the edge of the coop itself. The area you have set aside in the design for coop ventilation.

Unfortunately that is a difficult area to get into to secure the cloth. Yes in that case you would be adding the wire between the rafters. It will need cut to be a few inches wider and taller then each opening so you can make the bends for securing.
Just a tip from someone who has built many coops and other structures over a long life.... Measure each opening individually. You will find they are likely to vary a bit.

The area under your run roof would not concern me as much as the areas that are exposed to the yard side. Pieces of 1x2 will still be more secure then staples or screws with fender washers.

I do hope this helps.