Gable Roof Framing Cathedral Ceiling

Contributing editor scott mcbride replies.

Gable roof framing cathedral ceiling.

In conventional gable roof framing the slope of the roof is formed by rafters that run diagonally downward from the peak of the roof to the tops of the exterior walls of the building. These horizontal framing members tie a building s outer walls together and resist the outward force exerted by the roof rafters in conventional framing. To avoid these problems in a structure with a cathedral ceiling it helps to understand how a typical roof frame works. The trick in framing a vaulted ceiling is figuring out what to do with the ceiling joists.

Roof structure definitions support choices for sloped roofs cantilevered roofs cathedral ceiling roofs. Old cottage cathedral ceiling i have a 50 year old seasonal cottage in a northern climate. Finally when a cathedral or a vaulted ceiling or any gable roof is framed without either an engineered structural ridge ceiling joists or rafter ties or an engineered solution some amount of ridge sag and wall kick out is guaranteed. The simple 6 12 gable roof is composed of actual 2x6 rafters 24 oc sheathed with 1 2 plywood and covered with asphalt shingles.

An engineer must determine rafter size placement and pitch based on span and. There is no insulation in the ceiling and i suspect little to no effective insulation in the 2x4 walls. Collar ties rafter ties tension beams structural ridge beams. Some of these can support the roof and prevent ridge sagging and wall spreading.

If it s your first case and if you feel uncomfortable call for the engineer. Each truss is composed of two opposing rafters and a ceiling joist. If you are framing a cathedral ceiling there are a couple ways to deal with the need for rafter ties. Studs shall be continuous from a support at the sole plate to a support at.

The gable truss should be the same scissor profile as the common scissor. Without joists the walls can bow outward and the roof ridge line may sag. Stick framing a roof with rafters is the old fashioned and still most common method of obtaining a vaulted ceiling.