Vaulted Roof Framing

In conventional gable roof framing the slope of the roof is formed by rafters that run diagonally downward from the peak of the roof to the tops of the exterior walls of the building.

Vaulted roof framing.

To avoid these problems in a structure with a cathedral ceiling it helps to understand how a typical roof frame works. A dramatic cathedral ceiling makes a strong statement in a home s interior but make sure to follow the best practices to eliminate mold and wood rot while also saving money on lumber and materials. The first step is the positioning of a substantial ridge beam. For example in texas where stick framing is common there are entire crews specializing only in framing roofs.

Without joists the walls can bow outward and the roof ridge line may sag. A plain flat ceiling gable is actually a procession of light trusses usually spaced 16 in. However constructing a stick framed roof is not always easy. These horizontal framing members tie a building s outer walls together and resist the outward force exerted by the roof rafters in conventional framing.

Vaulted ceilings can be constructed by either stick framing which means attaching each joist and rafter individually or by setting roof trusses that come engineered from a truss manufacturer with. Finally when a cathedral or a vaulted ceiling or any gable roof is framed without either an engineered structural ridge ceiling joists or rafter ties or an engineered solution some amount of ridge sag and wall kick out is guaranteed. If it s your first case and if you feel uncomfortable call for the engineer. Rafters used to frame a vaulted roof are typically larger than rafters used to frame a roof that relies on ceiling joists for support.

For example spray foam insulation helps create an air tight seal that eliminates the need for ridge and soffit venting. The trick in framing a vaulted ceiling is figuring out what to do with the ceiling joists. This also allows you to save on lumber by using 2.