Re: Adding on a room

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Re: Adding on a room

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Carpentry and Framing
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 05 Mar 2001
Time: 08:32 PM

Comments

Without seeing your proposed plans first hand, I can only make some assumptions based on your description. You should consult a structural engineer if there is any question about your planned remodel.

In general terms, however, if your existing roof is a simple gable style and you are effectively pushing out a wall (increasing the width of your house), then you can effectively extend the length of the existing rafters (on the wall side you're not moving) by nailing a new rafter along side each existing rafter, preferably starting at the wall top sill plate running all the way to the new ridge beam. On the side of the roof where the wall is being pushed out, you will have to remove the existing roof anyway. Therefore, this part of the roof may be all new framing anyway.

Use Simpson or equivalent metal rafter hangers to secure the rafters to the ridge beam. Also, since you're moving the center position of the ridge beam, you need to make sure you have a proper load-bearing wall underneath to transfer the roof load to the foundation.

Of course, depending on your roofing material, you'll need to add extra plywood or slats across the rafters to provide a suitable roof decking surface to match the existing conditions. Generally plywood is a preferred underlayment for most roofing types, except in some cases slats are used for shake to provide ventilation (verify with your local building codes).

If your roof is a heavy material, such as tile, concrete tile or slate, you may have to further strengthen the rafters with additional supports.

These equations are easy to calculate and any competent structural engineer can crunch some numbers for you. Safety of your structure is eseential and now is no time to cut corners.

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