Removing Horizontal Beams From Hip Roof

This calculator matches up with 90 of the applications in the 2012 international residential code book.

Removing horizontal beams from hip roof.

These horizontal framing members tie a building s outer walls together and resist the outward force exerted by the roof rafters in conventional framing. This project is an old residence 1956 with a hand framed hip roof. The loads on the ridge beam are carried by vertical posts at the beam ends down through the building structural walls to the building foundation. Without joists the walls can bow outward and the roof ridge line may sag.

The process of replacing existing rafters so that your roof remains intact without removing the roof to do it requires some basic carpentry skills and a few common tools. If you remove the ceiling joists its like removing the bottom leg of a triangle. King posts were used in timber framed roof construction in roman buildings and in medieval architecture in buildings such as parish churches and tithe barns the oldest surviving roof truss in the world is a king post truss in saint catherine s monastery egypt built between 548 and 565. It has been my experience to never use a beam smaller than a two ply 2 x 8.

Over time roof rafters can wear crack or rot and replacements may be in order. King posts also appear in gothic revival architecture queen anne style architecture and occasionally in. Problem is the new owner wanted a cathedral look and during remodeling the contractor saw no problem in removing all the ceiling joists that basically act as tension ties and gave the owner what he wanted. How to frame a gable roof with no ceiling.

I had done the structural engineering for a 2 story addition. A gable roof is a heavy structure and if you want to prevent your roof from collapsing you ll have to frame the structure correctly. Most interior beams need to include the roof load. If there is are any questions about anything else then you should contact your supplier or an engineer.