my wife and i moved into a newer home earlier this year and, for the most part, like most of its design/layout and size, etc. (plus the 1300sq ft 5-6 car extra garage/shop) but it has a “great room” that’s about 25′ square with a boring, flat 8′ ceiling. the standard ceiling height looks even lower across the relatively broad expanse.
has anybody ever heard of, or tried, reconfiguring the existing “W” braced trusses into scissor trusses? it appears this could (in theory) be accomplished by nailing or screwing new 2×8’s(10’s?) alongside the existing trusses at the desired ceiling angle, then cutting out the bracing below that line and the old ceiling joists? what would be the optimum angle for ceiling height gained vs. roof strength?
with a 25′ span and about an 8 or 9/12 pitch roof, how practical is this idea? how much height could be practically gained at the center of the room? we live in western nc, so snow load is not a huge factor compared to more wintry climes. any other suggestions?
thanks!
mitch
Replies
you can do it . But you cant do it the way your thinking of. You need to get an truss engineer to run the numbers thru the cad program.
They will tell you what additional web chords you need to put in and also the size and placement of the ply wood gussets you must put in as well as the nailing and glue schedule. Its a lot of work believe me !, but if you do one at a time it can be done. Ive done four of these and I dont look forward to a number five.
p.s. Boss Hog should be along in a while I 'm sure he will have some good advice for you as well as probably helping youout with the engineer.
I did this once. Let me say this I AM NOT AN ENGINEER! now that the disclaimer is out there... It worked great and still (14 years later) hasn't sagged a bit! I snapped a line from the interior top plate to the point under the ridge 3 " / 12 " less than the top chord. In other words the top chord was 8/12 and the new bottom chord was 5/12 pitch. I was way poorer then so couldn't afford new trusses or the time to open the roof. I used 7/16 osb, glue, and about a million staples to create a one sided gusset from top chord to new snapped line. Later I cut the waste out from under the new gusseted truss. I glued and filled in the bottom chord gaps and stapled the daylights out of it! Then I set up a jig and watched my one new truss for a good week. Even set 10 bundles of 25 yr shingles directly on it. no motion to speak of. after sufficient time and an impatient friend we did the same one truss at a time to the rest. Later used a router to trim out the spaces for access. I would do it a little different if I did it again...also I am not an engineer! As much as it pains me to say it...I don't come even close to knowing everything! Others may find fault with the method or the high tech testing...yet it seemes to have worked! Had I mentioned that I am not an engineer? :-)
MIAMI
It can be done but I wouldn't recommend doing it Miami's way.
He's not an engineer! LOL Hi Mi!
;)
Get a real engineer to work up a plan.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius
Email BOSSHOG......this guy rocks,,,,,,,,,I mean trusses!
Be a truss
Namaste
Andy
You don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
sounds like fitting in a structural ridge may be the easiest?
then again.................I don't drive trains either!
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Wouldn't work you would still have to cut the truss .
Once you cut any part of the truss other than the tail or overhang then the entire structure is compromised.
by the way where in the heck is boss hog?
Edited 12/12/2002 8:19:44 PM ET by benny
by the way where in the heck is boss hog?
Probably sucking down a brewskie at a flip flop joint,,,
Be in a well
Namaste
AndyYou don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
As some of the other folks said, it can be done. But I wouldn't suggest doing it without hiring an engineer to review the trusses and design the modifications.
Is your home new enough that you know who built it, and can find out where the trusses came from? The manufacturer can probably point you in the direction of an engineer who's familiar with trusses, and can design the repair fairly easily. Any engineer could probably design the repair - But if they're used to working with trusses, they'll have less research to do. (And will charge you for less time)
The method Miami described isn't a good one. Staples don't have large enough legs to provide much holding power. And you NEVER repair a truss by applying plywood to one side only.
BTW - You guys who were wondering where I was - I piddle around on here during the day on breaks, lunch, etc. But I'm generally not on in the evenings. And Andy - I don't "suck down brewskies" - Always hated the taste and smell of beer.
If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in a library? [Lily Tomlin]
Boss
Was just an expression. As a New yorker I like vanilla eggcreams for the taste.
aYou don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
O.K. - Just thought I'd mention it.
BTW - What's a "flip flop room"? Us rednecks apparently don't have those kind of things around..................If you can't take the heat, don't tickle the dragon.
thanks to all- i have every intention of having a pro do the engineering and the work but wanted to conduct an informal feasibility study here first- in case the first guy i call says, "uh uh, nfw," (looking to get himself a complete re-truss and re-roof job) i'll know to keep looking for someone else to do it.
mitch
Mitch,
the first guy may be the smartest guy in the bunch. Did you bother to get a bid from him, or are you too set on doing it your way?
Jerry-rigging trusses is pretty invloved......lotsa going on there....tension/compression/and such...so lotsa gotta be put back...somewhere. And working inside an ecclosed attic space isn't the idea production environment.
Don't think you're gonna just nail a few extra boards somewhere and call it a day.....even if you did....how are the materials getting up and in there in the first place?
At some point...I guess some of the roof....a wall...or at least..a window..is coming out.
Without seeing the job....I stick with my suggestion of looking into a structural ridge....but that doesn't mean just sticking a ridge up there.....that ridge would have to be puooprted.....and those supports have to go somewhere...like thru the walls and floors......and they gotta land somewhere....so there's some close quarters digging and new footing/foundation work. Then ya gotta make sure the floor/ceiling joists are sized right.........and the whole top end don't open wide.
Once all of whatever way you choose is factored in.....if this invloves the whole attic space...it may be cheaper...easier..faster....and better.....start from scratch and do it like it was meant to be built that way.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
25600.11 in reply to 25600.10
O.K. - Just thought I'd mention it.
BTW - What's a "flip flop room"? Us rednecks apparently don't have those kind of things around..................
Boss
Its a topless bar......get it? and I bet in yer neck of dem woods theres plenty.
And I reckon I figured being that your in The Tavern......how about a vanilla eggcream or a glass of Chardoney? I'm buying.
HAve a nice holiday
Namaste
AndyYou don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
"Its a topless bar......get it? and I bet in yer neck of dem woods theres plenty."
Actually - There ain't one in the entire county I likve in. Too conservative of an area.
I hear there's one in Springfield - An hour away. Maybe "Nails" could tell us about it ???
"how about a vanilla eggcream or a glass of Chardoney? "
Actually, I almost never drink. Don't really like the taste of aclohol in general.I'm as confused as a breast fed baby in a topless bar.
my personal favorite- "as confused as a Mexican kid in a Welsh spelling bee."
Boss
A vanilla eggcream only has vanilla syrup and a tad of milk and seltzer in it. An old time NY favorite. If ya want the recipe.....Pour about two ounces of
U-Bet vanilla syrup in a tall glass....then about a 1/4 cup of milk in and fill the rest up with seltzer while briskly stirring it to a frothy top....Make sure all the ingredients are cold...It so rocks....So theres a NY beverage from days long past I'm turnin' ya onto as my New Years present to you.
Be a vanilla eggcream....yummmmmmie
Namaste
andyOne works on oneself, always. That's the greatest gift you can give to community because the more you extricate your mind from that which defines separateness, that defines community. The first thing is to become community. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I'm as confused as a breast fed baby in a topless bar.
Boss..you so rock ......LMAOF
Be Boss Hog
Namaste
AndyOne works on oneself, always. That's the greatest gift you can give to community because the more you extricate your mind from that which defines separateness, that defines community. The first thing is to become community. "Ram Dass"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM