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I’m a guest lurker on this site and have learned much from reading the discussions here, so thanks in advance!
I’m self contracting a small summer cottage (20 x 38), simple gable roof (9/12 pitch), and want the front section (about 13 x 20) to have a cathedral ceiling. There are no load-bearing partitions within this section. What’s the best way to go – trusses or a laminated beam with no joists?
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Dave your load bearing span is only 13 feet, so the beam "with" joists assembly, in the open area will do fine and standard truss in the remainder of the house . Have the beam sized to your local needs and all should be fine.
Good luck.
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in my opinion scissor trusses with built in cathedral ceiling are easiest for a beginner and you can get it "in the dry" much quicker provided you have plenty of help raising the trusses. If not you would be better to "stick build" the roof to make for a 2 man job.
*in my opinion scissor trusses with built in cathedral ceiling are easiest for a beginner and you can get it "in the dry" much quicker provided you have plenty of help raising the trusses. If not you would be better to "stick build" the roof to make for a 2 man job.
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Is there any space above this floor (1st I assume) that you want to be livable? If this is a single floor cottage and you are looking for a design detail only, trusses are the only way to go, and they are hard to beat cost and labor wise. Keep in mind that the ceiling and roof will have different slopes, but this won't be noticable. When all's said and done, as you are primarily going for a design detail, the lower slope ceiling will give you what you seek.
Upper living space? try the truss route, but at best they will require additional support. This is open to so guess work as to what you want out of this house. Please fill in the blanks and you shall find what you seek.
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Thanks for all the replies - really appreciate it. JD, your assumption is correct - there is no liveable space above. I'll also have the framing done by a very reputable 4-man framing crew, so it looks as though the scissor trusses may be the way to go.
Thanks again...off to see the "truss man" this morning.
Dave
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Dave...your building a vaulted ceiling..not a cathedral. The later is when the whole ceiling is open...vaulted is when only half is open.
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Again thanks for the solid info. I saw the "Truss man" yesterday and got a price of $1,215 for all the trusses on this cottage - real close to the cost of the lumber to stick build the roof framing without a cathedral ceiling, so I'd say that's the way I'll probably go.
He also (as expected) tried to sell me floor trusses vs. my original design of 2x10 x 20 #1SYP 18" OC. He says that 12" deep trusses will work 24"OC. I like the idea of open web trusses in order to make elec / plumbing and any future upgrades easier, but the floor are an extra $500 over the dimensional lumber and I really question the floor rigidity using trusses.
So, once again I look for some professional opinions from this group.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
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I would suggest a "raised heel" truss so you can get enough insulation over the top plate. You could also have the trusses built with the soffit framing built into the overhang so you don't have to stick build it later.
*Ron, the trusses aren't that accurate! The soffit would look like doggy doo doo!Blue
*For $500.00 more you will definitely have a better floor. Straight, level and dry truss-joists will give you a "sound" floor with less chance of squeeks. When regular lumber dries out it can pull away from the nails,even if subfloor adhesive is used. I've seen the adhesive come off with the subfloor during a remodel because when the house was build the joists were too wet or even dirty with site mud. But I'd go one step further and place the truss-joists on 16" centers.Manufacturers specs or minimums and generally adequate. But I have walked by a few dining hutches and grand-father clocks that would swing towards me when I would walk by because the floor framing was a bit soft. If you do go with the 24" on center be sure to use 1-1/8" subloor ply instead of 3/4". You really don't want your wifes eyes to bug out when she sees the furniture hip-hop dancing.
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I'm a guest lurker on this site and have learned much from reading the discussions here, so thanks in advance!
I'm self contracting a small summer cottage (20 x 38), simple gable roof (9/12 pitch), and want the front section (about 13 x 20) to have a cathedral ceiling. There are no load-bearing partitions within this section. What's the best way to go - trusses or a laminated beam with no joists?