Roof Framing Without Ridge Beam

A structural ridge is the standard alternative to ceiling joists.

Roof framing without ridge beam.

This video covers one of the most exciting parts of roof framing installing rafters. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. Timber steel framing manual single span ridge beam. A ridge board is a non structural member that serves as a prop for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to.

First off yes it is a common practice to frame a roof with no ridgeboard. You don t need a ridge beam but you do need a way to keep the walls from spreading. This will the first point of the rafter measurement line. This can be accomplished with collar ties boards spanning the shed at ceiling height or with large gussets further up the rafter slope.

In most applications the ridge board is not structural and only serves as a convienience for the carpenters as they frame the roof. A proper beam would have a supporting post at each end. When these framing members have been omitted and when there is no structural ridge design over which a roof is suspended the inwards force on the upper roof combined with the downwards movement of the ridge will pull the lower half or more of the rafter away from the ridge board. Glulam ridge beam span table elcho beams tables golagoon.

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. 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. In this design the tops of the rafters attach to a load bearing ridge beam that runs along the length of the roof. 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.

We will go over raft. Measure down y height from the long point of the rafter cut and make a mark. An interesting variation on the ridge beam system is the double beam configuration which keeps the roof peak entirely clear of beams. 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.

Roof framing rafter layout. From one end of the rafter material using a speed square or framing square mark an x in 12 angle on the rafter and cut it.