Ridge Board Roof Trusses

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.

Ridge board roof trusses.

Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam. This board forms the bottom member of each rafter and of course the ceiling of the space below. 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. Raise the trusses one at a time and work the ridge board into the gap.

Line the top of the truss with the top of the ridge board and nail the truss rafter to the ridgeboard on each side. The ridge board must be the same width as the rafter boards. This video shows how to make roof rafters with a rafter square and or a speed squ. This video covers one of the most exciting parts of roof framing installing rafters.

King post truss parts explained. Collar ties placed horizontally halfway down the rafters hold the rafters and roof planes together. The ridge board and rafters are the strength of the roof. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3.

We will go over raft. These horizontally installed boards give the trusses strength and stability. It is often used in simple roof trusses such as in the shed porch and garage. A non structural member of the truss where rafters can lean against and connect to.

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. Wondering how to build the structure of your roof. The ridge board must be set as perfectly as possible so take your time and use careful measurements. 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.

In heavy duty construction a ridge beam might be used instead. They are secured at the bottom by ceiling joists. Also called minor rafter because it is smaller than the principal rafter major rafter.