Gable Roof Ridge Beam

The main elements of the gable roof layout are the ridge beam common rafters and wall plate.

Gable roof ridge beam.

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. 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. A structural ridge beam is required when independent support for high ends of rafters is necessary. Measure from the bottom of the ridge to the top plate to get the length of your gable end stud.

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. 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. Conditions for which a ridge beam is required are described after discussion of a basic gable roof. Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3.

Here s a picture of a gable style shed using a ridge beam. Framing in a ridge beam in shed roof construction is not hard. I always always build trusses. Ridge beam sizing is based on the span of the beam between supports and the amount of roof load supported by the beam.

Please submit questions via email. Although the names are unfortunately similar a ridge beam serves a much different purpose than a ridge board.