How To Build A Ridge Beam Roof

Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam.

How to build a ridge beam roof.

A ridge board is a non structural member that serves as a prop for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to. For 2 x 6 rafters use a 2 x 8 ridge board and so on. Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam. Yes either a ridge board or a ridge beam is necessary and required by the building code where roof rafters meet at the the center of their span.

The sloped roof joists span between two pinned points. 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. The rafters bear most of the weight of the roof. 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.

For 2 x 4 rafters use a 2 x 6 ridge board. 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. The typical gable roof diagram above shows the r length measured from the outside wall to the middle of the ridge beam the rafter section diagram below typical of a shed or patio cover roof shows the r length measured from the outside wall to the outside face of the ridge beam either one is acceptable depending on which type of roof you are building but if you are using the. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard.

The ridge board holds them in place. I always always build trusses. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. However our instructions include making shed rafters with a ridge beam.

A ridge board or beam runs through the tops of rafters or trusses from end to end along a gable roof tying those framing members together. 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. Some shed rafters do not incorporate ridge beams either due to small size or lack of technical know how. Choose a ridge board that is one size larger than your common rafters.

The ridge board s length will be the outside measurement of the building plus the length of the overhang at both ends.