Gable Roof Ridge Beam

A ridge beam occupies the same position as a ridge board but it is fabricated from heavier lumber and unlike a ridge board it is supported at the gable ends by structural columns.

Gable roof ridge beam.

Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board. Conditions for which a ridge beam is required are described after discussion of a basic gable roof. Steady the ridge in its approximate final position using the carpenter s square to make sure the rafters are vertical. Measure from the bottom of the ridge to the top plate to get the length of your gable end stud.

Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. Now if you have done any looking around this site you ll quickly see that i am not a fan of using a ridge beam in shed construction. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. For example a roof slope that rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of run is said to have a slope of 6 in 12 or simply six twelve.

A ridge beam is a structural member used to support the ends of the rafters at the ridge transferring it s loads to posts or gable end walls. I always always build trusses. Step 2 cut the gable end stud and hand it up. Roof slope is commonly represented as x in 12.

Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam.