Gable Roof Ridge Beam

Now if you have done any looking around this site you ll quickly see that i am not a fan of using a ridge beam in shed construction.

Gable roof ridge beam. I always always build trusses. Steady the ridge in its approximate final position using the carpenter s square to make sure the rafters are vertical. Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam. For example a roof slope that rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of run is said to have a slope of 6 in 12 or simply six twelve.

Please submit questions via email. A ridge beam is a structural member used to support the ends of the rafters at the ridge transferring it s loads to posts or gable end walls. The main elements of the gable roof layout are the ridge beam common rafters and wall plate. Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam.

Conditions for which a ridge beam is required are described after discussion of a basic gable roof. Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board. A ridge beam occupies the same position as a ridge board but it is fabricated from heavier lumber and unlike a ridge board it is supported at the gable ends by structural columns. Roof slope is commonly represented as x in 12.

Measure from the bottom of the ridge to the top plate to get the length of your gable end stud. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3.