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A BEDROOM IN MY 50 YEAR OLD RANCH HAS A SHORT ATTIC ABOVE IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP THE CEILING TO CREATE A CATHEDRAL. CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE IS FRAME WITH BRICK SHEATHING ON TWO OUTSIDE WALLS OF THE BEDROOM. THE ATTIC IS OPEN, NOT TRUSSES. I UNDERSTAND THAT IN A FRAME HOUSE, THE ATTIC JOISTS ARE THERE NOT ONLY SUPPORT THE CEILING BELOW, BUT ALSO TO HOLD THE OUTSIDE WALLS IN PLUMB. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN REMOVE THE JOISTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURE?
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Replies
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Hi RR,
Yes, you can open the ceiling up, HOWEVER, it will have to be examined by someone qualified to do all the load and stress calculations in order to design the proper solution to your request.
Gabe
*Some things that are at times code approved, semi costly, etc are a series of rod or heavy cable tie, ceiling joists a third of the way up from the top plate to the ridge, or maybe an engineered beam up under the ridge. Any of these require an engineering degree or someone pretty darn familiar with how things are built and all the necessary pcs that'll hold it together. And don't forget inspection. If you ask inspection first, you may have to do what they say. If you ask the engineer, he may show you the way they will interpret it. A trained eye could certainly steer you in the right direction.After that you can plan the insulation, lighting and master bath up there.Best of luck.
*PLEASE DON'T SHOUT!Thank you.
*RR,Typing in all caps is considered shouting on the internet. Just a tip.You will have to seek the advice of an engineer or an architect with an association to a good engineer. It can be done, but, and this is a big but, done wrong can really be dangerous.Good Luck,Ed. Williams
*How about removing the ceiling, and the floor(if any) above, and leave all the floor/ceiling joists in place. Reroute the utilities to a more attractive location....along the side and box everything in, then insulate and rock the rafters....after making sure you don't have to sister them to hold the load. You'd have a vaulted ceiling line with exposed beams(alot of little exposed beams). Thought of this for my own house. I liked the idea of tucking a ceiling fan up there. Or see if removing every other joist and sistering those left will do the trick. Jeff
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A BEDROOM IN MY 50 YEAR OLD RANCH HAS A SHORT ATTIC ABOVE IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP THE CEILING TO CREATE A CATHEDRAL. CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE IS FRAME WITH BRICK SHEATHING ON TWO OUTSIDE WALLS OF THE BEDROOM. THE ATTIC IS OPEN, NOT TRUSSES. I UNDERSTAND THAT IN A FRAME HOUSE, THE ATTIC JOISTS ARE THERE NOT ONLY SUPPORT THE CEILING BELOW, BUT ALSO TO HOLD THE OUTSIDE WALLS IN PLUMB. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN REMOVE THE JOISTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURE?