Roof Framing Without Ridge Beam

Timber steel framing manual single span ridge beam.

Roof framing without ridge beam.

Measure down y height from the long point of the rafter cut and make a mark. A flush ridge beam as in the hayes residence above right by ray kappe demonstrates the same principles only with the ridge beam aligned in the same plane as the roof joists. A ridge board is a non structural member that serves as a prop for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to. Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam.

In most applications the ridge board is not structural and only serves as a convienience for the carpenters as they frame the roof. This can be accomplished with collar ties boards spanning the shed at ceiling height or with large gussets further up the rafter slope. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. A ridge board was not always required and the photo above of the attic in a 1920s era house shows a roof framed without one.

You don t need a ridge beam but you do need a way to keep the walls from spreading. This video covers one of the most exciting parts of roof framing installing rafters. A ridge beam carries the loads of the rafters connected to it and must be both strong enough to carry the weight and well supported at the bearing points at each end to transfer the loads down to the ground. Glulam ridge beam span table elcho beams tables golagoon.

Roof framing rafter layout. In this design the tops of the rafters attach to a load bearing ridge beam that runs along the length of the roof. This will the first point of the rafter measurement line. A proper beam would have a supporting post at each end.

First off yes it is a common practice to frame a roof with no ridgeboard. A structural ridge is the standard alternative to ceiling joists. We will go over raft. Rafter to ridge beam connection framing roof ceiling construction structural ridge beam absolute deflection in a ridge beam structural ridge beam tricks of the trade.

An interesting variation on the ridge beam system is the double beam configuration which keeps the roof peak entirely clear of beams. Wondering how to build the structure of your roof.