Ridge Beam Size Roof Framing

This sizing guide for roof rafters will help determine what you need for your small project.

Ridge beam size roof framing.

Now if you have done any looking around this site you ll quickly see that i am not a fan of using a ridge beam in shed construction. It has been my experience to never use a beam smaller than a two ply 2 x 8. This article describes and illustrates the different types of support that prevents roof sagging and wall bulging at buildings including definitions of collar ties rafter ties and structural ridge beams. I always always build trusses.

If you know the slope x in 12 you want to use for your roof framing design you can use it along with the run r to determine the height of the ridge beam for example if the slope is 4 in 12 and the run is 12 feet the ridge beam height m will be 4 feet. If there is are any questions about anything else then you should contact your supplier or an engineer. The ridge beam shown below at the living room of a 1950s modern style ranch house in gainesville has cracked at mid span and is slowly heading towards failure after. Weather you re building a shed roof or adding a dormer to your second story it is important to choose the proper size rafter.

Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. Ridge beams and boards modern raising ceiling joists jlc technical steico construction roof rafter collar tie calculations structural ridge beamtimber steel framing manual single span ridge beamglulam ridge beam span table elcho. A ridge board is a non structural member that serves as a prop for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to. There are several variables to consider when determining the proper rafter size.

Determining the ridge beam height. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam. You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths. Because a ridge beam often carries a significant area of roof load they can exhibit structural distress due to a defect in wood impact on the roof or use of an undersize beam.

This calculator matches up with 90 of the applications in the 2012 international residential code book. Some of these can support the roof and prevent ridge sagging and wall spreading. Collar ties rafter ties tension beams structural ridge beams. Most interior beams need to include the roof load.

Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard.