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Gentlemen I need your help. My background is in commercial interior design (restaurants etc) which is of very little help to me since I’m faced with remodeling a 1950’s ranch style house with the typical low pitched roof and 8′ ceilings throughout.
Since high ceilings have become important, I want to at the very least coffer or vault some them. Like all 35 year old houses, the HVAC is a mess with the furnace in the attic, ductwork that came out of the dark ages and the electrical run all over the attic on top of the joists to mention just a few of the problems.
The roof framing is a typical truss system with webs that render it practically useless for even storage.
I need suggestions as to how it can be reframed allowing for the removal of joists, while still retaining the stuctural integrity of the roof and bearing walls etc. There is enough room to come in about 12″ from the exterior walls and drywall up from there.
Any suggestions regarding anything that can be done to get some more height, short of tearing off the entire roof?
Thanks
MAUREEN STURGIS
P.S. I’m in the Deep South just north of New Orleans.
Replies
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Not to my knowledge.
I suggest that you work with an architect, with an engineer.
Remember that those trusses are doing more than just interferring with the ceiling heighth you desire.
Be patient, save some more money. Whats to be, will be.
Hope this helps.
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Dear Maureen...
I will second alans suggestion...The first step..is to quick sketch what you would like see for a coffer...the second step..is to do a consultation..with a structural engineer...to see..what type structural issues are involved..
I just finished a similar coffered project which used a cut roof rather than trusses..We were able to raise the ceiling...12"...the pitch was 4/12
and we had a 24"level soffet running round the room...The change was quite substantial...and worthwhile...
It usually..can be done...you will be paying..for some engineering...and extra framing..I would suggest..that your builder also understand...the structural issues thoroughly..
You will also..have some budget attached to dealing with the systems issues...
We ended up...completely rewiring the space [living room] as a result..of raising the ceiling..
DN
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Trusses can not be cut. The bottom chord is an integral part of their design. Thus, when you are referring to cutting the joists (actually a misnomer), I am assuming that you are probably referring to cutting the bottom chord of the trusses. Again, this should not be done.
I know of no way to accomplish what you want to do without removing the trusses, raising the top plate, and re-framing the roof. An by the way, on a typical 2,500 sq. feet ranch home, that isn't that big of a deal. You are probably looking at about $2,000 in lumber, about $3,000 in labor and about $2,000 for the new roof. Make sure the splice between the lower framing and new splice is sheathed with strong 1/2" ply and Simpson Ties are used, as the splice will have some inherent weakness.
By way of an aside, when I was young I worked on a lot of 50's and 60's homes with such trusses. They are cheap, save labor, and are structurally quite strong. They also make it impossible to use the attic. I wouldn't frame a job with them now unless the homeowner truly understood their limitations. I hate them. Good luck!
*Maureen,Anything is po$$ible.A few years ago I was part of a master bedroom reno job that turned existing truss ceiling into a coffer ceiling that sounds similar to what you are proposing. Permit required structural engineer to design modifications. As I recall new chords, 3/4 inch ply gussets and very specific nail pattern.No hvac some electrical and way to much insulation to deal with.I agree with Allan, check with an engineer.
*Is it possible to, with very careful planning tear the roof off and install trusses that do what you want, and with asteeper pitch improve the houses look?It may not be as drastic as it sounds, as this could happen in a couple days and you would be out of the weather.I've always understood that trusses are not to be cut.
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Maureen-
I am a P.E. and the advice above is sound. Leave the trusses alone.
Have you considered lifting the trusses, roofing intact? Would require a crane and some structural engineering, but it is possible.
Fred
* Raising the entire roofing system with a crane will make this style of house look awkward from the exterior to say the least. And the expense involved just to get coffered or higher ceilings I doubt can be justified for the entire house. The existing engineered truss system is the disqualifier. You may be able to coffer paired rooms or sections of the house by replacing the entire roof span in selected areas. You can also raise the walls and roof in select reconstructed areas and by matching the existing facia elevation by projecting the soffit overhang outward, keep it from looking awkward. As much as I have allways HATED trusses you may need to use them again and have them designed with the coffer built into them.
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Gentlemen I need your help. My background is in commercial interior design (restaurants etc) which is of very little help to me since I'm faced with remodeling a 1950's ranch style house with the typical low pitched roof and 8' ceilings throughout.
Since high ceilings have become important, I want to at the very least coffer or vault some them. Like all 35 year old houses, the HVAC is a mess with the furnace in the attic, ductwork that came out of the dark ages and the electrical run all over the attic on top of the joists to mention just a few of the problems.
The roof framing is a typical truss system with webs that render it practically useless for even storage.
I need suggestions as to how it can be reframed allowing for the removal of joists, while still retaining the stuctural integrity of the roof and bearing walls etc. There is enough room to come in about 12" from the exterior walls and drywall up from there.
Any suggestions regarding anything that can be done to get some more height, short of tearing off the entire roof?
Thanks
MAUREEN STURGIS
P.S. I'm in the Deep South just north of New Orleans.
Yes, absolutely you can do it. It's labor intensive and there's a schedule of order to the work in that you must replace the structural purpose of the truss or existing structure before you remove it. A truss generally has a bottom cord that prevents the exterior walls from splaying out. This cord and the roof support of the structure or truss must be replaced before it is removed. It's not a difficult design for an engineer or architect with residential experience. If you look at the design of similar homes with the higher ceilings you can see how it must be designed, the hard part is building the new structure before removing the old. An additional issue, in some homes the roof joists might have been sized too small and the local codes might not allow the change, codes change and minimum sizes are impacted, thus some building renovations are just not allowed even if the design clearly has enough strength to meet the requirements desired.
Wow! You may have set a new record for responding to an old post, 23 years!
True dat! But the question is pertinent in the current environment as many can't find, build or buy the home they want, they need to renovate or modify. I also saw some incorrect answers and wanted those inquiring to know almost anything is possible, cost is the more germane aspect. New materials and technology since 23 years ago actually make project easier especially if you are a savvy carpenter doing the work yourself. Beams, columns, micro laminated beams and timber make for raising, lowering, opening and modifying to almost any idea possible. The catch is many failures happen during construction as structures are designed to support when completed, not when partially constructed, even the drywall provides part of the structural package. If you have an idea, try to make it work, everyone should have their way!