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.

Roof slope is commonly represented as x in 12. 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. Please submit questions via email. 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.

Definition of structural ridge or ridge beam used in roof framing. Step 2 cut the gable end stud and hand it up. A classic example of the exposed ridge beam structure can be seen on our magnolia. Steady the ridge in its approximate final position using the carpenter s square to make sure the rafters are vertical.

Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. Refer to sfpa s publication southern pine headers beams download in publications that includes all size selection and allowable load tables. 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.

Loading conditions are detailed below. 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 structural ridge beam is required when independent support for high ends of rafters is necessary. Conditions for which a ridge beam is required are described after discussion of a basic gable roof.

Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam. Measure from the bottom of the ridge to the top plate to get the length of your gable end stud. Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam.

Also see assumptions for table development. For each application a pdf download is available. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. A structural ridge beam is a horizontal beam placed at the peak or ridge of a roof and is designed to carry much of the live and dead loads or weight of the roof structure by itself.

The main elements of the gable roof layout are the ridge beam common rafters and wall plate.