we’re doing a remodel where we’ve taking out the ceiling joists above a bedroom that also act as collar ties for the rafters. We’ve put in an LVL with saddle posts to act as a ridge beam. After we took out the joists which sat atop the double plates with the rim acting as a ledger, the gable end wall became a rubber band. It was pivoting on the double top plate. We’re talking about some major movement. We ended up replacing the non continuous saddle post with a continuous 4 x 6 from ridge to bottom plate. We then nailed through the siding into the 4 x 6 with spikes. This helped but it still moves pretty noticeable. couple of questions…
how much will the sheetrock help in stiffening the wall??
What other options do i have to stiffen this wall??
Replies
You could sheathe it on the inside making sure that the full sheets spanned the "seam" at the top plates equally.
Get it plumbed, wired, insulated and inspected first, of course. Then watch your nailing real carefully. Don't forget to let the electrician and the plumber know of the plans as well, so they set the boxes and/or fixtures appropriately. Extension jambs for your windows, and you're done.
Only other solution I can think of right now would be to sister balloon framing next to the existing framing and cutting the top plates.