How To Size Roof Ridge Beam

If there is are any questions about anything else then you should contact your supplier or an engineer.

How to size roof ridge beam.

Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. Its the way i was trained to build sheds. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam. A ridge board is a non structural member that serves as a prop for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to.

Determining the ridge beam height. Calculate the initial value for d then round it up to the nearest inch. This tells you the size of the beam needed to support the porch s roof. Use the span tables below to determine allowable lengths of joists and rafters based on size and standard design loads.

Because a ridge beam often carries a significant area of roof load they can exhibit structural distress due to a defect in wood impact on the roof or use of an undersize beam. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. Most interior beams need to include the roof load. Ridge beams and boards modern raising ceiling joists jlc technical steico construction roof rafter collar tie calculations structural ridge beamtimber steel framing manual single span ridge beamglulam ridge beam span table elcho.

You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths. If you know the slope x in 12 you want to use for your roof framing design you can use it along with the run r to determine the height of the ridge beam for example if the slope is 4 in 12 and the run is 12 feet the ridge beam height m will be 4 feet. This calculator matches up with 90 of the applications in the 2012 international residential code book. It has been my experience to never use a beam smaller than a two ply 2 x 8.

In the example d calculates to 7 75. The finished ridge beam height z above the top of the wall will be m plus the y height. This means the example porch would need a 6 inch by 8 inch beam. I always always build trusses.