Have a somewhat urgent framing question that I’m hoping some of you could assist with.. Started repairing a leaky roof on an old addition, and it turned out that the existing rafters were rotted and eaten by carpenter ants. It was decided to remove the entire roof structure and to reframe it instead of trying to repair and piece it together.. it was built a little bit questionably, anyways to begin with.
now the problem is (after tearing the roof off) we discovered that 2x10x18’s are not available at the lumber yard.. it seems they were readily available 40 years ago, but not now.. How can we reframe this roof, its a shed type roof that was sloped away from the house as part of an addition that was added in the 50’s? I did some googling and it seems I can use LVLs.. is this the case? can you cut a birdsmouth in the LVL? The overall size of the room is 16*16 and the highest part of the roof is 2′ higher than the direction of the slope..
HELP!
Replies
While not readily available perhaps, 18 footers should be able to be gotten, even if special order.
Unless your lumber yard is stocking LVLs, you'll be ordering one or the other.
If you're not familiar with framing using LVLs, perhaps you're better off ordering the 2Xs.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"If you're not familiar with framing using LVLs, perhaps you're better off ordering the 1st."
I've framed roof's with LVL's before. what's so different? We spent 2 months framing a huge monster roof few years back. I don't recall any theoretical or practical differences. we had some 20' 2 ply LVL hips and valleys, that you don't see every day. but they were cut and put together same way you would regular lumber.
No....its not terribly different....but not worth the cost or effort in this situation.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
efforts not much different. but cost sure would be, and he doesn't need em is right.
You're at the wrong lumber yard. 2x4,6,8,10, and 12 are stock in lengths up to 20', and I can order up to 28's as needed. I would get out the phone book and call around. LVLs are way, way more expensive and completely unnecessary if a 2x10 is what you are replacing.
If you can't wait for a special order for those 18' 2x10's, you can frame it in I-joists for much less than 9-1/2" lvl's. Yes, you can cut birdsmouths on I-joists, but the installation details for reinforcing the cut from the manufacturer have to be followed.
Many manufacturers have basic building brochures online that give you enough information to get started. You can also get information sheets showing framing details from the lumber yard you're purchasing the I-joists from.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
LVL's are overkill.... financially and structurally. 2x10x18' should be readily available..... try another lumberyard. What kind of half azz lumberyard wouldn't stock 18'ers???? Yer not fishing around Home Depot or the like, are you?
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your replies.. I forgot to mention that I am a frequeint visitor to BT but not an often poster. Your replies have taken a load of my mind, as I was dreaming of $$ for repairing this roof.
I was dealing with a semi real lumberyard, but was there at the late hour, so I suspect i was dealing with the second string.
thanks again!
Metal rafters.
Gotta buy more
toystools though.SamT
Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either. [Einstein] Tks, BossHogg.
If you can't find 2x10's, look for 2x12's.
Depending on your area and if snow is an issue, the 2x12's will give you extra room for insulation. As well as a stronger rafter for a 16' span.