Rafter Ties

[zovotnik]

Hi folks, I'm planning to build a 1 1/2 story home in the near future and came across a USDA house plan from 1949 that fit perfectly with what I'm looking for. The only problem I see is that the upper story floor joists run perpendicular to the roof rafters. I know that code requires rafter ties in such a situation. Would strong backs from the rafters across the first 5 sets of floor joists (this would be behind knee wall) satisfy this requirement or would the ties themselves have to independently span the entire width of the 1/2 story (26 ft)? The original plan didn't address the issue at all. Thanks for any help!!

[giddonah]

I'm going to beat rabager to the punch and ask if the original plans had any provisions for HVAC. You might want to modify them a bit for that.

[Cole]

I'm going to beat rabager to the punch and ask if the original plans had any provisions for HVAC. You might want to modify them a bit for that.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sweep]

if the rafters and the floor joists sit on the same top plate you could just tie the subfloor to the rafters with metal straps but I would platform frame the top floor by installing a band joist all around, then install the joists and then cover the entire framing area with a plywood subfloor, then a 2x4 or 2x6 sill plate with rafters on it. This ties the entire house together for the extra cost of the band joist and sill plate. It also avoids framing the roof from ladders.