Post And Beam Roof Construction

Stonehenge is the perfect example of post and beam construction using stone instead of timber.

Post and beam roof construction.

It is commonplace in wooden buildings through the 19th century. Post and beam framing is more simple and actually an older style with main carrying members bents or lintels supporting joists and rafters that are notched in to the beams. Beams can be solid lumber or be built from lengths of 2 by lumber nailed together with 1 2 inch pressure treated plywood spacers in between this forms a 3 1 2 inch thick beam that is equal to the width of a 4 by post. Exposed ridge beam collar ties or purlins for cathedral areas as required and 6x8 douglas fir plate beams typically 2x12 spruce rafters 2 o c.

First roof area assembly the first roof area is constructed with heavy timbered components that are secured to the ridge beam and second floor beams. The next post sits atop this floor beam directly above the lower post and runs up to the next floor beam or to the roof beam. Summing up in this tutorial module residential structural design we ve covered basic structural loads for wood framed homes sizing floor joists floor beams and roof beams. Post and beam home design.

Some post and beam projects are done without the plates. If the structural frame of load bearing timber is left exposed on the exterior of the building it may be. For those projects the connection is made by lag bolting the timber components together. For areas with attic space above flat ceiling ceiling joists are included but the remainder of the ceiling system above is by owner contractor.

These timbers are then tied together with collar ties the horizontal members and gusset plates the metal fasteners as you can see in the photo below right.