Gable Roof Vaulted Ceiling

How to frame a gable roof without ceiling joists.

Gable roof vaulted ceiling.

A home with a pitched roof may allow the owner to create interior spaces with gable ceilings. Timber is often the material of choice here adding texture character and warmth to lofty spaces. When the end wall is constructed such that the top plate is level with the exterior walls there is no diaphragm at the intersection of the wall and a flat bottomed gable truss see photo in figure 1 above. There is no insulation in the ceiling and i suspect little to no effective insulation in the 2x4 walls.

In conventional gable roof framing the slope of the roof is formed by rafters that run diagonally downward from the peak of the roof to the tops of the exterior walls of the building. A plain flat ceiling gable is actually a procession of light trusses usually spaced 16 in. A vaulted ceiling in new construction is no more complicated than standard framing although it does require special roof trusses which are usually built off site. Gable ceilings rise upward in a triangular shape creating a sense of space grandeur and openness.

Old cottage cathedral ceiling i have a 50 year old seasonal cottage in a northern climate. The price isn t low though. First head to the attic. The simple 6 12 gable roof is composed of actual 2x6 rafters 24 oc sheathed with 1 2 plywood and covered with asphalt shingles.

The curved ceiling in this traditional style new build features whitewashed timber cladding which gives a cosy scandinavian feel to the interiors image credit. You ll pay 18 000 to 25 000. Roof or ceiling diaphragm. Depending on how steep your roof pitch is vaulting a 20 by 20 foot room creates a new ceiling that s 11 to 12 feet high at its peak.

A standard triangular roof known as a gable roof is framed using rafters which are diagonal members that support the roofing materials. The basic framing construction cost can increase by 5 to 20 percent in a home with a large 20 x 20 foot great room with a vaulted ceiling. It is more expensive though. You ll have to remove the entire roof structure to vault the ceilings.

If you see a complicated framework of 2x4s held together with perforated metal plates your roof is framed with trusses. But if it s framed traditionally with big lumber rafters the roof can stay in place. Each truss is composed of two opposing rafters and a ceiling joist. But that cost will transform your whole house adding volume and lots of light at a fraction of the cost of adding square footage.