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Gable end wall

SSfam | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 31, 2016 04:31am

Hi I am new to this site but have read post on several occasions. I recently purchaced an older cottage (50’s) and I am in the middle of renoes and now I have a question! The cottage is 24’x45′ (approx) with 15′ of the 45′ being a sunroom addition. The Gable end wall leading to the 24’x15′ (hip rafter roof construction) addition just has a doorway. Beacause the cottage roof is a truss system wouldnt this end wall be non load bearing? I would also wonder if i could get away with raising the ceiling in the addition substantially by removing the 2×4 ceiling joists and replace them with other types of ties to prevent spreading, the deflection in the 2x4s is really bad but the walls are still plumb. i will post pictures soon

thanks

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  1. DanH | Jan 31, 2016 05:29pm | #1

    The wall is probably non-load-bearing, but you know the definition of "assume".

    Re replacing the joists with ties, the usual rule is no more than a third of the way up, but there are a number of other concerns, especially the size of the joists and the load on them.

    1. SSfam | Jan 31, 2016 07:17pm | #3

      All four exterior walls have double top plates and the joists are 24"OC, there is an interior wall that runs perpendicular to the joist and looks to be fastened to them. I just want to take down one half of the original exterior end wall. Im "assuming" that it will have little structural impact also, we will see how it goes. As far as the ceiling in the addition goes im a little more cautious even though the 2x4 ceiling joist are deflecting so much and seem to be doing very little, I still understand their purpose. I will attach pictures and hopefully someone has an opinion! 

      Does the fact that the hip rafter addition is off the same end wall that i want to modify change things at all?

      Thanks

      1. User avater
        Mike_Mahan | Feb 01, 2016 09:48am | #9

        Addition.

        Post a picture of the exterior of the end with the addition.

  2. User avater
    Mike_Mahan | Jan 31, 2016 06:58pm | #2

    The wall is probably bearing.

    Unless the end truss is a standard truss or a standard-with-fill the wall under it is most likely bearing. Gable end trusses (with vertical members at 16" oc and no diagonals) are only for attaching siding to the gable end.

    1. SSfam | Jan 31, 2016 07:28pm | #4

      here is the end wall in a picture. Probably still hard to tell. from the inside

      1. User avater
        Mike_Mahan | Feb 01, 2016 09:44am | #8

        Site built trusses

        Those appear to be site built trusses. It looks like there is a regular truss on the end wall. If it is like all the other trusses then the wall is not bearing.

    2. SSfam | Jan 31, 2016 07:41pm | #5

      So if its a standard truss the same as all the rest, it is load bearing and if it just has vertical members for for siding, its not load bearing? like i said before, there is a wall that runs the length of the original cottage, directly under the centre of every truss and i only want to remove one half of the end wall. for what its worth i could still put in a beam i guess. Im having a hard time uploading pictures..Only two at a time?

      1. User avater
        Mike_Mahan | Jan 31, 2016 08:03pm | #6

        Standard truss.

        If it is a standard truss the wall is not bearing and the truss is structural. Standard-with-fill looks like a standard truss with vertical members. The truss is structural the wall is not bearing. Gable end truss has only vertical members. The truss is not structural the wall is bearing.

        1. SSfam | Jan 31, 2016 08:53pm | #7

          Can the gable end truss be modified to be structural? or would you just recommend a beam at that point?

          1. mark122 | Feb 03, 2016 10:08pm | #11

            by the looks of the pictures you posted on the other thread i wouldnt take anything on that addition as standard.

  3. gfretwell | Feb 02, 2016 07:54pm | #10

    Remember loads come from all 6 directions if you live on a planet with an atmosphere.

  4. SSfam | Feb 04, 2016 07:53pm | #12

    What about the pictures I posted would concern you? Obviously a site made roof but It's been standing for 40+ years. Would you recommend adding support to the roof now that I've got it opened right up? I was hoping to raise the ceiling a little to open the room up a little. 

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