Roof framing specs...need advice!

[Gratefulhog]

Going to build a home next year...scared to friggin' death. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Roof framing: 2x4 #2YP 24" OC

Thanks!

[Joe Carola]

Going to build a home next year...scared to friggin' death. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Roof framing: 2x4 #2YP 24" OC

Thanks!

You should be scared to death if your going to stick frame with 2x4's 24" oc but if your talking about 2x4 Trusses 24" oc your fine. Need more information on what your scared of.

Joe Carola

[Gratefulhog]

Thanks, Joe. Pretty much intimidated by the building process, but spending the next 8 months educating myself all I can. The roof over the garage and the other wing will be truss built. The roof over the majority of the house and the cathedral in the "great room" will be stick built. My question is, I guess, what should I expect here in a quality build? The specs were provided by my draftsman/architect several years ago. I'm using them just as a guide....so I here on bended knee asking the construction gods. I want to be able to seek a builder and know what I want and what I am asking for. Thanks! :shock:

[bkrahmer]

If you have a local building department, they will make sure things are pretty much on the up and up as far as framing. One big thing is the specs on the floors. If you have spans over 12', I would spec L/720, 12' and under, L/480; floors 16" oc; 3/4 t&g screwed and glued floor sheathing.

I would also spec 30# felt on the roof and tyvek on the outside. Can't think of anything else right now...

[Dragon]

Gratefulhog I'll make a couple of phone calls and see if I can hunt down a good quality builder in that area for you. My wife is from Russelville and the in laws have been involved in construction off and on for years.

[Sweep]

The builder, inspector and this forum can help you only to a limited extent. For this kind of financial expense you should protect yourself by having a design professional specify the level of quality YOU want in the house and have him (or her) visit the site to be sure you are getting what you are paying for. I have often had a builder and a building inspector (who are often buddies) argue that something was acceptable when it didn't even meet the minimum code standards much less my spec. Use of the term draftsman/architect suggests you may have skimped on the first and most important step in building a house. A draftsman has a drawing board. An architect has an academic degree and a state license. It's not hard to find a good one, just ask them for client references.

Personally I dislike trusses. I see little cost benefit for all the potential detailing headaches. I did some house designs for a developer once and used dimensioned lumber for the garage roof. He substituted trusses and the bottom chords obstructed the top of the door from the house to the garage. He refused to pay me. I dislike developers too.

Lumber roof framing would allow you to use the garage attic later for very little additional cost. It's good cheap space.

If you want help from the forum send us the important parts of your specification, and some of the wall section details. See if your internet provider will give you a web site for posting info.

[bkrahmer]

BTW, trusses and attic space are not mutually exclusive. I'm not a truss expert by any means, so I don't know if there are disadvantages, but attic space trusses are certainly available.