The header needs to support the joists that run over it, which is easy if the header is below the joists, and can be done with Simpson brackets if the header is flush with the joists, but if the header is above the joists, you need heavy duty support brackets to connect the header to each joist. If you have a main beam in the basement and it is structurally capable of holding up the posts, you can terminate the posts on the beam using an appropriate bracket. You can't support the header on the joists, you need posts that penetrate through the floor down to the lowest point in the house, where the posts are typically supported on concrete footers. Moving a header up to the attic is more complex than installing a drop down header. I don't mean to discourage you, but if you do not have some serious DIY framing experience, this is a tough project to start on. A ridge beam usually needs a crane, certainly it is the easiest way to place a large, heavy beam. Trusses are usually placed with a crane, but can be placed with a Genie lift or similar. I don't know of any real alternative to removing the roof, getting down to the walls, and framing above. Use of scissors trusses is a common, good technique, but again you are going to need to remove the roof and rafters to place the trusses. I suppose you could conceivably shoehorn a ridge beam in place, never seen it done that way, more work than it is worth, and the existing rafters may not be adequate anyway, as noted by other posters. Once the ridge beam is in place, the rafters must be attached using special brackets at the top and at the wall, so in most cases this means removing the existing rafters and ceiling. Plus you need to support it, so that means posts going down to the lowest level on a footing. Any realistic ridge beam is going to be a serious structural element, likely an LVL or a glulam. There is no practical way to sister the ridge board to make it a ridge beam. A lot has to do with your budget and ability to remove the roof to allow the work to be done. You may want to consult an architect, an engineer, or an experienced framer about which method works best in your specific case. The ridge beam needs to be properly sized and adequately supported, typically at either end, sometimes with an extra post or two between the ends.Įither of these options requires serious framing, but they both have the advantage of allowing you to eliminate the floor beams and the kickers. Another option is to replace the ridge board with a ridge beam, which is a structural element that supports the rafters at the top. One way is to replace the rafters and kickers with a roof truss, a scissors truss is commonly used. There are several ways to vault the ceiling, none of them particularly easy to do, likely not a DIY project unless you have significant framing experience. The kickers provide extra support to the rafters by making the setup similar to a truss. The roof rafters are supported by the outer walls, and are tied together by the floor beams. You are correct, your ridge is a ridge board, which is not a structural element. Can anyone shed light on what we need to do to strengthen the structure enough to remove the kickers and ceiling joists? ![]() Our's looks different even to that! I know our ridge is skinny so it is not supporting much. ![]() I want rid of the kickers and ceiling joists! If someone with knowledge could PLEEEEASE share with me I will be forever grateful! I have seen so many pictures of roof/truss designs including a typical hip. ![]() I like the horizontal "roof tie" beam (I'm guessing :thumbup. The room we especially want to vault is straight ahead and to the right in pic.1. We know at least part of that wall is load bearing - That's where you see the kickers come down to. The hallway goes down the center from front to back, covering I'd say the middle third of the house (as in room in front, room in rear). The house is 1942, small (1000sft), hip design. The first is taken from the attic entry, which is pretty much the center of the house. The confusing parts for me come with our beams in the attic. We understand the need for a header where we take out the wall. We are also taking out a wall that is load bearing. We reeeally want to vault at least in our living room. Hello helpful and knowledgeable DIY people! Please read on.
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