Ridge Beam Roof Framing

A roof with a ridge beam can be more easily understood if it s imagined to be a flat surface like a deck in plan view.

Ridge beam roof framing.

The ridge is constructed as a beam that runs from end to end. Once the ridge beam has been positioned in place and supported by roof framing members you can determine the placement of a rafter by measuring down from the top of the beam y height and making a mark on the beam. Ridge beam height above top of slab height of wall z. Definition of structural ridge or ridge beam used in roof framing a structural ridge beam is a horizontal beam placed at the peak or ridge of a roof and is designed to carry much of the live and dead loads or weight of the roof structure by itself.

Timber steel framing manual single span ridge beam. Framing with a ridge beam. One at the envelope of the structure on top of a framed wall or a header the other at the peak of the structure on top of the ridge beam. Floor beam span tables of residential structural design we will now look at roof rafter and beam design.

The ridge board and rafters are the strength of the roof. I always always build trusses. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. The ridge board runs the length of the building and provides support for the tops of the rafters helping the whole roof structure work together as a system.

The ends of the beam must be supported as concentrated loads generally by posts inside walls or in the middle of a room. 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. Continuing on from part 3. The formula for determining the finished height of the ridge beam from the top of the slab to the top of the ridge beam is.

The ridge beam could also be flush with the joists the ridge beam is typically a larger member like a 4 x 12 and carries the gravity load of the roof joists just as the bearing wall or header does at the envelope. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam. A classic example of the exposed ridge beam structure can be seen on our magnolia. Here we have a wood framed gable roof.

The ridge board must be set as perfectly as possible so take your time and use careful measurements. Let s consider a basic gable wood roof framing design. 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. The sloped roof joists span between two pinned points.

You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths.