Birdsmouth

Quick meaning: Birdsmouth is a noun meaning (carpentry) To cut a birdsmouth into a rafter or similar timber component.

Meaning

(carpentry) To cut a birdsmouth into a rafter or similar timber component.

More Meanings

1. (carpentry) A notch cut into the underside of a rafter to ensure that it does not move when resting on the wall plate running across the top of a wall; a similar notch in other timber components.

Example Sentences

The end of the common rafter is birdsmouthed and nailed to the pole plate.

After the wall and ceiling framing has been completed the erection of the roof takes place. Nail the four straight rafters selected as the first and last into position at the birdsmouth.

Support the veneer stack on a ¾-in.-thick board with a narrow V notch cut into one edge. This board is called a birds-mouth, and the V notch provides clearance for the blade while the work is supported for cutting.

A birdsmouth is a notch cut into the underside of a roof rafter to enable it to sit tightly and securely on the timber wallplate that runs across the top of a wall. It's so called because it resembles the wide-open mouth of a baby bird wanting to be fed.

Word Forms

• birdsmouths
• bird's mouth
• birdmouth
• birdsmouthing
• birdsmouthed

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include notchboard, indent, notching, undercut, batten, matchboard.

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