10'x20' gable shed roof

[jimi]

Hi there, can you guys give me your thoughts on a 10' x 20' shed roof.
-Location maui, but it's sheltered from the wind.
-7/12 pitch, probably.
-2x4 rafters 16 OC's?. (don't want trusses, takes to long around here)
-looking for some hight inside, so ridge beam? what size for that span do you think.
thanks guys
jimi

[Don_P]

I assume we're talking a 10' span gable roof on a shed that's 20' long.
Minimum live load is usually considered to be 15 psf, dead load is generally assumed as 10 psf for most normal coverings so 25 psf total X 200 sf... 5000 lbs. Half of that is bearing on the sides half on the bearing ridge so 2500 lbs on a 20' span or 125 lbs/foot of beam. Your local supplier can confirm but a single 11-7/8" or a double 9-1/2" LVL should carry that.

[jimi]

Thanks for you reply. So no need for center bearing post? Is there any concern with using 2x4 rafters or should I go with 2x6 on diamonds? thank you.

[Don_P]

I don't use less than a 2x6 just so I can get a birdsmouth notch and still have a 2x4 extending out for the overhang, strengthwise the 2x4 is plenty adequate though. You do need hurricane ties of some type. The ridge worked in my tables for the full 20' span, no center post.