In a dormer remodel I’m doing the ceiling joists and roof rafters sit next to each other on the top plate of the wall as they typically do. The rafter tails naturally overhang the wall and form the soffit. In another area along the same plane of the roof the architect calls for a header to be installed above the top plate. It would sit on the top wall plate. The ceiling joists will be TECO’d to the header. How do I get the roof rafters to sit in the same plane as the rest of the roof if this header is in the way? They cant get down to the top plate to sit so do they just sit on top of the header with a seat cut of some kind? Help! P.S. I cant do a dropped header I already had thought of that. Also remember the roof rafters are off set by 1 1/2″ so sitting them on top of the ceiling joists would screw up my layout correct? And would the load of the roof rafters sitting on the ceiling joists which are TECO’d to the header be too much load for TECO’s and nails? I know its alot of questions, please help!
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Replies
Have you asked the architect about this? Engineering questions spring to mind, like loading one side of that header with ceiling and roof loads. Sounds like that header would want to roll.
Tipi, Tipi, Tipi!
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
"In another area along the same plane of the roof the architect calls for a header to be installed above the top plate"
Can you reach the architect? This is a valid question, and clearances for beams and headers, especially near roof eaves, is a common place for an architect to make an "oops, I can't fit that there" type of an error.
Seems like for a less than typical framing detail like that the architect should have provided at least a small section detal through the header showing how to attach the ceiling joists and roof rafters at the header.
Will the soffit cover the rafter tails? Could you double the rafters on each side of the header? And then run 2xs between them, parallel to the wall, with Tecos? That would maintain the plane of the roof without attaching to the header.
I think the header needs to have an angle cut on each end, if I understand your situation correctly. However, some engineering may be necessary to determine whether the cut end of the beam has enough strength.
Here's the process I've used before: I usually cut the rafter tails flush with the existing plates and ceiling joists. Then cut the nails that are holding the rafters and ceiling joists to the plate with a metal cutting sawzall blade (only cutting in as far as you need to accomodate the bottom flange of the hanger, which makes it easier to drive the hanger under.) Next drive a double joist hanger under the two members, followed by your LVL beam, nail the first member of the beam in place driving a nail or two into the rafter and ceiling joist. Now add the rest of your LVL beam members to the first and then nail the joist hangers to the beam.
Last January when I did it this way it worked like a charm. Good luck!