Gable Roof Ridge Beam

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.

Gable roof ridge beam.

A structural ridge beam is required when independent support for high ends of rafters is necessary. Step 2 cut the gable end stud and hand it up. One at the envelope of the structure on top of a framed wall or a header the other at the peak of the structure on top of the ridge beam. Please submit questions via email.

Also see assumptions for table development. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. For each application a pdf download is available. Roof slope is commonly represented as x in 12.

The main elements of the gable roof layout are the ridge beam common rafters and wall plate. The ridge beam could also be flush with the joists the ridge beam is typically a larger member like a 4 x 12 and carries the gravity load of the roof joists just as the bearing wall or header does at the envelope. 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. A classic example of the exposed ridge beam structure can be seen on our magnolia.

Conditions for which a ridge beam is required are described after discussion of a basic gable roof. The loads on the ridge beam are carried by vertical posts at the beam ends down through the building structural walls to the building foundation. Loading conditions are detailed below. 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.

Refer to sfpa s publication southern pine headers beams download in publications that includes all size selection and allowable load tables. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. The sloped roof joists span between two pinned points. Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam.

Steady the ridge in its approximate final position using the carpenter s square to make sure the rafters are vertical. Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board. Definition of structural ridge or ridge beam used in roof framing. 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.

Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam.