Raise the roof

[cbass139]

Well ok it the ceiling, but that is besides the point. I am going to move the rafter ties up to the max 1/3 overall height from the bottom. My problem lies in the "beam" that runs the opposite direction to the ties under them all. I want to move it over the top of the ties to make it easier to hang drywall, is this possible? Anything I am not thinking of here, did think I might connect each tie to this from the top, is this a good idea? Thanks in advance

This is the front where is lays on the garage door header.
View media item 5457
This shows how it sits under the rafter ties.
View media item 5458

 

[cbass139]

Is this beam even needed? can I just take it out? I have never seen this used before, is it common, what does it do?

 

[blkhonda1991]

im quite confused by which "beam" you mean are you talking about that 2x piece of lumber running perpendicular to the garage door? if so that isnt doing anything that i can tell, it certainly isnt holding any weight since it is oriented to the week side of the 2x.

 

[ddawg16]

I bet it's left over from rough construction....I've seem them sometimes put up boards like that to just hold the walls square while the roof is being put on.

 

[nate379]

What is holding your rafters from spreading the walls out?

That board looks like nothing more than something used to staple the garage door wires to.

 

[cbass139]

Yes that is what I am talking about. There are four rafter ties right now but I am going to install 5 more so there is one at each rafter. I figured it wasnt holding any weight but wanted to make sure it was preventing the spread of the front and rear walls. Thanks for the help, I really do appreciate it.

 

[Robertob]

My garage has those running from corner to corner, I always assumed they were there to hold the walls square during construction. But now the opener hangs from them so not worth taking them out. If I was you I'd yank them but I'm crazy that way, LOL.

 

[cbass139]

Yeah I really do think it is for something like ease of construction, especially since there is only one there. Dont think that one 2x6 is doing any structural good in this instance. Thanks again guys.

 

[nate379]

FOUR rafter ties? How big is your building??

I used to rent a place that had a 12x22 shed that was done that way. The side walls were pushed out a total of 8" at the top because of that. I ended up taking a come along to **** it back together and putting a tie at every rafter (where 24" OC)

Yes that is what I am talking about. There are four rafter ties right now but I am going to install 5 more so there is one at each rafter. I figured it wasnt holding any weight but wanted to make sure it was preventing the spread of the front and rear walls. Thanks for the help, I really do appreciate it.

 

[Torque1st]

Have a carpenter take a look. It may be there for bracing on the front wall. There is no way I can tell from the pictures without seeing the entire structure and noting the load transfers.