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.

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. 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 classic example of the exposed ridge beam structure can be seen on our magnolia. 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.

I always always build trusses. The main elements of the gable roof layout are the ridge beam common rafters and wall plate. Roof slope is commonly represented as x in 12. Refer to sfpa s publication southern pine headers beams download in publications that includes all size selection and allowable load tables.

Loading conditions are detailed below. Also see assumptions for table development. Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board. 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.

Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3. 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. 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. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam.

Measure from the bottom of the ridge to the top plate to get the length of your gable end stud. For each application a pdf download is available. Definition of structural ridge or ridge beam used in roof framing. The sloped roof joists span between two pinned points.

Please submit questions via email. Step 2 cut the gable end stud and hand it up. 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. 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.