Gable Roof Ridge Beam

Ridge beams are required by code if the roof slope is less than 3 in 12 irc section r802 3.

Gable roof ridge beam.

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. The roof load is carried on the ridge and on the walls and there is no need for collar ties or ceiling joists to resist lateral thrust. The rafters aren t trying to push the walls out. To build your gable roof you ll need wooden boards cut into joists rafters supports and a ridge board in addition to sheathing felt paper and shingles.

Putting it together is relatively straight forward if you have basic carpentry skills and use precise measurements. Come to think of it the only style shed i can see that would be easy to use a ridge beam is the gable style shed. Leave ridge beam for shed construction page. In a roof with a ridge board there is lateral thrust.

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. I can t ever recall seeing a saltbox shed built with a ridge beam or even a gambrel roof shed for that matter. A gable roof is a simple symmetrical triangular roof.