Has anyone reframed a flat ceiling into a cathedral ceiling. I have a 20′ x 15′ family room that has a flat ceiling currently. We would like to have a cethedral ceiling. Everything I’ve read gives the following options;
- install a structural beam under the ridge
- utilize collar ties approximately one third of the way up the roof rafters, and eliminate the ceiling joists.
- install collar ties end perhaps utilize them every 4′ to gain the “beam” effect
Obviously my concern is that I don’t want the exterior walls to spread, but I would like to gain the greatest cathedral effect.
Any advice?
Thanks
Replies
Go with the ridge beam. They can usually be installed right underneath your existing ridge board which is much easier than trying to "swap" them. This will give you a slight 'flat' at the top of the ceiling... how much depends on your preference as well as the depth of the specified ridge beam. This will give you the greatest cathedral effect and, provided the beam is sized appropriately, keep your walls where they're supposed to be.
If your structural ridge is sufficient, you can eliminate collar ties all together.
Bruce
The structural ridge beam is the best solution, but make sure it's properly sized and properly supported at both ends to the foundation. And make sure that the rafters are very well attached to the existing ridge board or well secured to the new one.
Ties in the lower third of rafter span are rafter ties not collar ties which are in the upper third. With rafter (or tension) ties, the key is proper fastening to resist out-thrust. The lower the roof pitch the more out-thrust.
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Obviously my concern is that I don't want the exterior walls to spread, but I would like to gain the greatest cathedral effect.
If that's what you want, the ridge beam is the best way to go.
Thank You. Do you know how to properly size a ridge beam or do I need an engineer?
I'm also wondering if I could remove the existing ceiling joists and create a new pitch by installing one end of the joist 2/3 of the way up the opposite roof rafter and do the same from the opposite side. So I would have one end of the joist attached to the walls top plate and the other end extending up (and attached) 2/3 up the opposite roof rafter.
Where they cross each other would be my new peak. Would this work and would it prevent outward thrust.
Thanks,
Will
Hi Will,
You can create a new false cathedral in the manner in which you described. We do it all the time. Especially when the room we want to create the ceiling in isn't centered on true roof and would result in an unequal ceiling.
However this framing will not help to prevent to the outward thrust on your walls. In fact the weight of the new framing material and ceiling finish will add more weight that will need to be distributed. A ridge beam is still your best option.View Image
Thank You very much.
So the ridge beam needs to be tucked up to and right under the existing ridge board that the existing rafters are attached to?
Is there any specific attachment or nailing criteria to ensure I pick up the load and ensure no outward thrust of the walls? I'm determined to do this, just to prove my wife wrong.
Thanks again,
Will
Will, not to be vague, but I hesitate to get much more specific about how to go about this with out some more information. It's obvious that this is something somewhat new to you (we all start somewhere) and I'd hate to get you into a jamb by giving incomplete or inappropriate advice for your given condtions.
Any chance you can post a pic of your existing ridge and rafters. If I can see a decent shot of what you've got to work with then perhaps we can come up with a good plan of attack for you. It's not rocket surgery, but it's not something you want to screw up either. Then you'd never hear the end of it from the wife. ;)View Image
What you describe there is to build a scissors truss in place. It can conceivably work, but you do need an engineer to detail that for you.For the beam, any lumberyard that sells them has the software to be able to engineer the size of it for you, IF you provide them with accurate dimensions and if they know the required snow loads
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Do you know how to properly size a ridge beam or do I need an engineer?
I can't help you with that. I can tell you what I've used in many situations, but that doesn't mean that you can do it with yours. Here's a thread and some pictures of where I installed a beam underneath an existing ridge at my cousins house.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=97062.40Joe Carola
These other guys , I think, answered your question, but everyone forgot one little detail. Are your ceiling rafters the bottom chord to a truss? Becuase if so, You may have problems,as most truss manufacturers reccomend not cutting trusses AT ALL.
On the plus though, I have seen exposed trusses(Insulate top chord) that look pretty cool.. Good luck.
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Usiong rater ties won't give you much of a catherdral effect. Trey ceiling maybe, but no cathedral.
You will need a structural ridge beam, with supports at ends to foundation, or scissors trusses
You have stick framed now, or trusses?
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