[ebforce]

What type of roof framing is this

Hi everyone,

Can someone help me understand why my roof framing has these steel hanger like structural ties. They attach to the ceiling rafters and the ridge member. I typically only see wooden framing members in other roofs I have seen. Does this truss structure have any particular name? The span of these trusses is about 35 -37' , the house was built in '64 in MA

Part of the reason I want to know is because have of these steel elements are what I would call loosely attached at this point. The other reason is I am trying to decide on some skylight options

Thanks, Igor

 

[joecaption]

I've never seen it done that way before.
May want to concider some solor tubes instead of sky lights.
PS Sure looks like you have some uninsulated ducts and not near enough insulation for your area.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table

 

[jagans]

There is no compressive strength there at all, so the only thing I can surmise is they were put there to lift the roof structure into place by crane? Very strange, but you never know. Considering the height of the end walls, I would have expected to see a strong-back brace at 45 degrees on both ends tied back to the floor joists. Huge attic, Nice. By the way what kind or roof is on this building, Slate? Its really braced well. You get mucho snow?

 

[joecaption]

Looks like someones been in there trying to remove a roof sag.
I see what looks like new lumber attached to the bottoms of the already over sized rafters.

 

[ebforce]

Thank You for a quick reply.

Not sure what exactly the end wall is but the wall with the gable is roughly 20' high in framing counting from a waist high foundation pour in the garage.

I do not have a good exterior picture, but here is one. The attic picture was taken inside the right part of the roof, but the whole roof was built that way.

We get enough snow here ones in a while, but my 4 air handlers in the attic do a nice job icing it.

I am debating between the complexity of making cathedral ceiling while remodeling the bath or building a skylight shaft. I would like two large skylights and the bathroom is 60" wide i.e. about 4 rafters by one span of 15'

There is no compressive strength there at all, so the only thing I can surmise is they were put there to lift the roof structure into place by crane? Very strange, but you never know. Considering the height of the end walls, I would have expected to see a strong-back brace at 45 degrees on both ends tied back to the floor joists. Huge attic, Nice. By the way what kind or roof is on this building, Slate? Its really braced well. You get mucho snow?

 

[ebforce]

Thanks,

From what I can see in person the lumber appears to be similarly aged everywhere. We have been in the house for three years and the roof has two shingle layers from previous owner.

Looks like someones been in there trying to remove a roof sag.
I see what looks like new lumber attached to the bottoms of the already over sized rafters.

 

[jagans]

I wouldn't bet on those rafters being over sized Joe. He is carrying a 37 foot span as I recall. I think that there is flash reflection off the foil faced fiberglass insulation that is making the jacks look newer than the rest.

Like another posters said, you may want to look at those light tunnels to bring in light. They are a snap to install and work pretty good.

I was referring to your gable end when I mentioned bracing. That end wall can fetch a lot of pressure in a high wind.

 

[joecaption]

A skylight in a bathroom is not a great idea, they tend to form condinsation and drip.

With all the stuff you would have work around in that attic it would be near impossible to build a tapered shaft for it so more light would be avalible, so you would only get sun light for a few hours a day.
With a solor tube you would gain quite a few more hours.
Some even have a light inside of them.

 

[OldNBroken]

Go with SolaTubes. You won't regret it.
With a full moon you may not even have to turn on the light. They are that good.
And pretty easy to install.

 

[joecaption]

I've been in many a room with no windows and just a solor tube for light and was looking for the light switch to shut off the lights it was so bright.