Hi Ken and Mike,

Ken, yes what you suggest makes sense and I have already messed around with my model to that end.
-purlins between hips with a common rafter
-jack rafter the rest

The purlins would be housed and yes spiked, or more likely screwed from above on a slight angle.

Mike, what the specs say for now is 5/4decking, furring above that for insulation, sheathing, wood shingles.

When you speak of lowering the hips, would you back the hips or not? If you used jacks that sat proud of the hip and thus created the true roof surface, how would you fasten the decking over the hip? Its an interesting idea, and I agree it sounds good looking. More please..

As far as the section problem of sticks, I'm thinking that there is more of an axial load on rafters and such (in the roof surface) rather than bending. I would think smaller sections would work than if the slope was less. I guess this reduces thrust as well.

Thanks guys,

Moyer