Ridge Beam Span

[JeepDriver]

Hi All,
I am about to start renovating my garage. It will be 32' long and 20' wide. I would like to do a ridge beam and cathedral ceilings inside. I will be dividing the space into 18' and 14' sections. Can I span the length using a home made 2x12 beam if it will be supported at the 18' mark? I was thinking of using a beam, 3 pieces thick, of 2x12x16 staggered and glued and screwed. Would this work as a ridge beam? Would it be enough? The pitch will be a 5/12 pitch and using 2x10 rafters. Snow load is a factor.

Staggered like this...

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Mike

 

[fury9]

A simple doug fir 2x12x18 will do the first section, then at the end point of the 18 ft section you are going to have to post down to a bearing point then simply add your 14 ft section after that 18ft section. Make sure you have a sturdy post that supports each ridge by min.2 inches. They used to just use 1x material in the old days for a ridge lol

 

[redneckcharlie]

If I was stick framing that I would use either an lvl or a microlam as the ridge beam. For what you're considering the difference in cost you'd be way ahead. You would have a much better starting point both in integridy and strength. You may even consider contacting a truss manufacturer and price out scissor truss's. By the time you factor in labor or your time and aggravation, the scissor truss's may get you where you want to be with a whole lot less work and cost. Framing a roof system like your describing is a pita even for an experienced crew.

 

[kbs2244]

I have to disagree with redneckcharlie.
But then I am a big fan of ridge beam roofs and the space they give you.
Getting a big beam up high can be challenging.
But you can hire it done for less than a whole roof of trusses.

Have your end walls in place and your post support pads and posts ready.

I would say you beam description should work.
I would run it by any code people you may have for snow load approval.

Remember your posts will be pretty tall.
You may want to use the same construction idea just to keep them from twisting.
Triple 2x4s in the end wall will be strong enough.
The sheathing will keep them straight.