Strengthening Roof Framing

Fortified roof construction standards were developed based on extensive field and lab research of structural damage caused by wind.

Strengthening roof framing.

Your roof is your first line of defense. Stick framing combines roof rafters with ceiling joists. Most roofs utilize 16 inch spacings for strength and rigidity. In fact research shows the roof is the most important component of every building as well as the most vulnerable.

Some of these can support the roof and prevent ridge sagging and wall spreading. The trick is to create unitized panels that form complete walls roofs floors and so on. The rafters are usually positioned directly above the wall studs. Like wall studs and floor joists rafters and trusses are spaced every 16 or 24 inches from center to center.

This article describes and illustrates the different types of support that prevents roof sagging and wall bulging at buildings including definitions of collar ties rafter ties and structural ridge beams. Sistering is the process of adding a new joist next to each existing joist. Floors and stairs built this way will never squeak. If the attic joists are not adequate one way to strengthen the floor for live loads is to sister the old joists.

In the case of 2x6 joists you can pair them up with additional 2x6 joists by nailing them together side by side.