Building a 20×20 screened porch attached to existing house. There is a chimney centered on outside wall so I can’t attached a ridge beam for the roof of the porch. Therefore, I was going to build double 2×8 trusses with a 20′ 2×8 rafter tie. I could also add collar ties if necessary. I’m not sure this meets Connecticut Building Code so was looking for thoughts. Thanks.
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Can’t because of the fireplace?
Not necessarily so. Take your dimensions to a real lumberyard and have them send it to their engineered lumber supplier.
If your chimney is “outside” the porch footprint, they should be able to spec a header that will carry the ridge beam load to either side of the firebox and sit on your foundation.
They with give you a stamped engineered print to include with you permit application.
I did this with a completely open vaulted porch ceiling, permit issued, inspected and passed. Give it a try, there was no charge for the eng. drawings from the yard.
Listen to Calvin. I would add that you may be able to attach a ridge ledger to the fireplace wall as well. Hard to tell w/out knowing the specifics, but most modern day homes are built in a way that the fireplace walls are built exactly the same as all other exterior walls. The FP box is installed as a separate unit that does not rely on firebricks etc like the FP’s of old.