Steel Ridge Beam Roof Construction

See how a structural ridge was used to tie together a 1700s ti.

Steel ridge beam roof construction.

The ridge board runs the length of the building and provides support for the tops of the rafters helping the whole roof structure work together as a system. Built up roof beams you will need a roof beam as a nailing surface to support the rafters. The difference between them is that a ridge beam is a structural member that bears half of the live and dead loads of the rafters on either side of it but a ridge board is not structural. The ridge board must be set as perfectly as possible so take your time and use careful measurements.

Once again you will need to look at your local charts and use your local snow load factor to determine the maximum span for a given wood rafter size. Steel is cheaper than wood in most cases and it can handle a load much better but steel beams must usually be cut off site and trucked into a location whereas wood beams can readily be cut on site. Wooden beams are traditional but steel versions are becoming more common as homeowners turn unfinished or outdated attics and lofts into modern living spaces. An explanation and real world example of a structural ridge beam used to support roof rafters.

The ridge beam is typically a larger member like a 4 x 12 and carries the gravity load of the roof joists just as the bearing wall or header does at the envelope. Yes either a ridge board or a ridge beam is necessary and required by the building code where roof rafters meet at the the center of their span. The loads on the ridge beam are carried by vertical posts at the beam ends down through the building structural walls to the building foundation. Our trim packages give your steel building a finished customized appearance.

Typically the roof beam is made by nailing together a few pieces of dimensional lumber. Found at either end of the building used to seal the joint where the roof meets the endwall. These roofs require hip beams or rafters. A structural ridge beam is a horizontal beam placed at the peak or ridge of a roof and is designed to carry much of the live and dead loads or weight of the roof structure by itself.

Glulam ridge beam span table elcho beams tables golagoon. Saturday july 21 2018. Structures that use steel roof beam construction usually have flat roofs but some smaller structures may have a peaked roof. Found at the peak of the building used to seal the joint where the two sets of roof panels meet.

By evelyn fielding the ridge board and rafters are the strength of the roof. A classic example of the exposed ridge beam structure can be seen on our magnolia residence which is currently in construction.