Replies

1. 
   Norse | Feb 28, 2004 02:24am | #1

   I raised the ceiling in a house with trusses and just left the bottom chord (the joist in your case) in place. I painted them a few shades darker than the ceiling color to try to make them less obtrusive. If this does not thrill you (or the wife), draw up your conditions and talk to an engineer. Any other advise here without really analyzing your particular conditions belongs in the Tavern.

   Remember to leave space to vent the underside of the roof.....

   Norse

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Feb 28, 2004 05:08am | #2

   Can you convert the existing trusses to scissors trusses?  An engineer is definately needed for this project.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

   The craftsman formerly known as elCid

1. 
   TSlone | Feb 28, 2004 05:36am | #4

   Thanks Ed! 

   The roof framing is traditional rafter and joist with a brand new $$$ roof, rather than trusses.   I am an amateur home improvement enthusiast so admittedly not very knowledgeable about construction engineering.  I was hoping however that there something that I could do essentially with the ceiling joists to add some interest and height to the ceiling.  If I used rafter ties attached to the lower 1/3 of the rafters and spanning their run for structural integrity, couldn't I cut the joist and reconfigure them as needed.

    

   Thanks

   Tom

1. 
   HeavyDuty | Feb 28, 2004 07:11am | #6

   >>If I used rafter ties attached to the lower 1/3 of the rafters and spanning their run for structural integrity, couldn't I cut the joist and reconfigure them as needed.

   I remember the same question being asked in FHB a long time ago. As long as the ties stay within the lower 1/3 you'll be fine. The other thing they said was for 16 OC you could even eliminate every two out three ties. Now I think that would have to be under optimal condition regarding dimension of lumber, span, nailing schedule, snow load etc.

2. 
   DanH | Feb 28, 2004 10:17am | #8

   You can probably get away with it, but there is a certain degree of risk, depending on the weight of the roof, how stiff the walls are, etc.

1. 
   TSlone | Feb 28, 2004 04:07pm | #10

   Thank you all for your help on this question.  I will research the forem archives to see if there is anything else that has come up on this in the past.

   Thanks again!!

   Tom

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Feb 28, 2004 08:16pm | #12

   A few years ago there was an article in FHB (I think) that detailed a work-around for spreading walls. I believe the roof in question was a mansard style and the design was to have that area under the roof open for much of the height under that roof.

   The fix was to use large scale angle iron all around the perimeter to stiffen the walls, doing away with the need for the ceiling joists.

   Retrofitting something like that would take a little thought and probably a signoff from a structural engineer to get it past the building officials and your own peace of mind. You could then tray or vault that space to your hearts content.

2. 
   HeavyDuty | Feb 28, 2004 09:10pm | #13

   >>The fix was to use large scale angle iron all around the perimeter to stiffen the walls, doing away with the need for the ceiling joists.

   Ralph, I remember that one, sort of a tension ring. I think the other reason they used that in that case was to have the windows go right to the ceiling, no headers.

3. 
   hubcap | Feb 28, 2004 09:44pm | #14

   you could put in a structural ridge  posted to foundation walls, as long as your rafters are sized  properly, and take out all the cjs. check with your building dept...

3. 
   BossHog | Feb 28, 2004 05:24am | #3

   Some more details about your house would help a lot.

   Like are you dealing with roof trusses or stick framing?

   Where are you located?

   If they're rafters and ceiling joists,, what sizes and spans are you dealing with?

   A cat that jumps on a hot stove will never jump on a hot stove again. It won't jump on a cold stove either.

1. 
   TSlone | Feb 28, 2004 05:44am | #5

   Thanks Boss Hog:

   The property is in the deep south (no snow load), traditional stick framing.  I believe that the rafters and joist are 2x8 16"oc.  The rafters span about 15 feet currently before resting on a wall for support.  I think the roof pitch is about a 6/12. 

   Thanks for taking the time to respond

   Tom

2. 
   ANDYBUILD | Feb 28, 2004 08:17am | #7

   Hey Ron

             You doing Rhode Fest? My guess is no cause you hate lots of people but just thought I'd ask. Seems like this will be a real good  one and would love to see your face in real life (I think...lol)

   Be well bro,

                andy

1. 
   BossHog | Feb 28, 2004 03:16pm | #9

   "You doing Rhode Fest? My guess is no cause you hate lots of people..."

   Probably not. Just don't have the bucks to make the trip.

   FWIW - I don't hate lots of people - Just big crowds of people I don't know. That wouldn't be the case with Rhode Fest.The merit of our Constitution was, not that it promotes democracy, but checks it [Horatio Seymour]

1. 
   andybuildz | Feb 28, 2004 05:22pm | #11

   Ugh.sorry Ron....came out wrong (for a change).

   I know you don't hate lots of people.......just Bobby Walker....lol...KIDDINGGGGG!

   PS. You and me'd have a serious pissa (no, not pizza...ok that too) in Manhatten.

   I'm tellin' ya dude........would be one hell of a time!!!!!!!!!! heh heh and I promise no green tractors where ever we go around there!

   Be unurban

                 andyMy life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM