Replies

1. 
   mmoogie | Apr 19, 2009 06:33am | #1

   You should double check with an engineer, but in the past my engineer has allowed me to spec a ceiling joist every four feet.

   Steve

2. 
   Piffin | Apr 19, 2009 01:42pm | #2

   You probably mis-spoke and do not have 2x6 trusses, but 2x6 rafters, right? You don't mess with trusses.

   You can *probably* get away with this leaving two rafter ties/ceiling joists in thirds of the room. I would NOT take all of them out.

   BTW, what area you are in - re snow loads - and wind live loads ios highly important to this question/answer.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   BossHog | Apr 19, 2009 04:16pm | #3

   Your loading requirements and the pitch of the roof would make a whole lot of difference in the correct answer.
4. 
   Marson | Apr 19, 2009 04:24pm | #4

   Another idea is to add a structural ridge beam instead of collar ties or ceiling joists.

5. 
   jimAKAblue | Apr 19, 2009 05:35pm | #5

   There are many ways to accomplish your goals with a room this small but Boss is right...you haven't provided enough information to give a good answer.

6. 
   Miles42 | Apr 20, 2009 03:30pm | #6

   You probably mis-spoke and do not have 2x6 trusses, but 2x6 rafters, right?

   Right,

   This is an 11' x11' porch attached to the house on one side. Gable roof, rafters are 7-8 feet long and the height from the bottom of the ceiling joist in the middle of the room, to the to the top of the ridge is 32 inches.  I live in Mass so snow load is an issue, however, the ridge is 13' high so, I could snow rake, when we get a good one.  I know what you're thinking. . .   finally if it matters the top plate of the walls consist of two full length 2x4's. This house was built in 1950's so these 2x4's are close to actual 2" x 4".

   If I was to do a ridge beam, would 2- 2x6's nailed together, do the trick?

   Thanks for the time and expertise

    

   Miles

1. 
   mmoogie | Apr 20, 2009 04:29pm | #7

   If I was to do a ridge beam, would 2- 2x6's nailed together, do the trick?

   No. In similar snow load territory I've had to do (2) 2x12's for a twelve foot ridge with an 18' wide structure, so I'm guessing at minimum (2) 2x8's or 2x10's, but that's just a guess. (2) 2x12's would certainly cover it. might be able to get away with shallower if you use (3)x thick member. If you really want to know the bare minimum just hire an engineer to spec it for you. Shouldn't cost much.Or just over-kill it. The lumber is cheap enough.

   If you don't want the ridge sticking that deep into the room, you can cut away the old ridge, widen the gap between them with a sawzall and slip the new double-width ridge in and re-fasten.

   Here's a picture of prepping for a larger one we did that way...

   View Image