I havve a house that’s 46 x 32 with a five foot knee wall on the second floor on both east and west sides. I’m setting a glu-lam ridge 46’x18″x 3.5″. It sits on four posts, one on each gable and two in the house. The finish top height will be a bout 16′. It’s a 7 pitch. I’m considering framing the gable on the floor and standing it up in two pieces. (16′ each) this way I feel will have more support and strength when we set the beam.
I’ve done this on small walls before but never one so big. I’m going to use my bottom sill line and my outside knee walls to help keep it square along with the plywood
I could use some suggestions.
Thanks
Roy
Replies
Will your glu-lam be on studs or an eng. post? We will do it both ways. As long as the framing is square and plumb..shouldn't be a problem. Sheeting while on the deck will save alot of ladderwork later, but it will be quite a bit heavier. On larger walls, we will set the post and brace it, (both ways), make a "saddle" out of scraps for each side of the post, then set the beam. The guys like this so they can get a roof on the structure sooner, then stick frame each side of the gable later. Don't forget the squash blocks below the point load to transfer that weight below. I think it depends more on the logistics of your project and time. (backfilling, shear strength, wind factors, manpower, climate, etc.)
Sorry..had to add after reading your post again. 16' sheeted with 7/12 WILL be pretty heavy, if you only have two guys. We like to tie the sheeting of the wall down over the rim joist for a stronger connection, but that eliminates the use of 'kicker' blocks at the edge of the subfloor to keep that wall from scooting out. Could toenail the sole plate...its up to you. If it were me, I'd probably set the beam on the post, then stick frame up to it later for the size, considering my manpower available. How is accessability from the ground to that gable on the exterior? Good luck.
Reaching the gable from the ground is a drag as it isn't backfilled yet. I'm overlapping plywood 29 in. onto the first floor walls. I might lay it out and try to do it in three sections. That's if I can get the plywood to overlap okay and minimize ladder work.
The post is just appro. 4 2x6's
Roy
roy
If it was me, I would build the gables in one piece, plywood ,housewrap, and trim. I would steel strap it to the floor, put some l braces on the outside, and lift it safely with my wall jacks. I'd be more concerned with lifting that 46' piece of microlam. I have always found split walls never go back together the way we intended. greg in connecticut