I didn't mean that I think some of the trusses aren't load bareing. What I meant was secure/reinforce the triangle and W by bolting 2x6's in a in a purpidicular and horizontal way before cutting out any part of the W that used to be load bareing. It's hard to explain. I just figured if I use 2x6's and secure with 2 bolts at each end there would be no room for shifting and since they were 2x6's the chance of bowing is less. I live in Michigan so there is no severe weather. No blizzards, no floods, no tornados, no huricanes, nothing. I've never seen anything and I'm 35.
2006-11-11 07:31:42 · 4 answers · asked by guy 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Depending on where you live in Michigan, you are bound to get a certain average amount of snow per year. Snow load on a roof is a major concern when calculating the roof structure. You could seriously weaken your roof if you modify it incorrectly resulting in expensive repairs down the road. It would be to your advantage to have a professional (architect or structural engineer) design the structural part of your roof modifications.
Good luck with your building project.
2006-11-14 22:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by exbuilder 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Take the advice about getting someone who knows what they are doing to look at the design and provide you will a reasoned design to make the modifications you want. The regrets if you do something wrong are just too much.
You are kidding yourself about the weather. I don't know what part of Michgan you live in but it is only a matter of time before you get a blizzard or a tornado in the area but that is somewhat beside the point. Just the load of the roof's weight and any load you add is enough to worry about.
Don't forget, if you have a design from an engineer, you are in a much better position if you sell the house and the inspector doesn't like what you've done.
2006-11-11 08:42:39 · answer #2 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same answer as before. Trusses are somewhat complex to engineer, and if it was my garage that is what I would do. An engineer could look at your situation and tell you what to do in an hour or so, maybe charge a $100-200 for the consultation. It may seem like a lot, but the risk of the walls kicking out are high. Trust me, what you want to do is possible, but I wouldn't do it with out getting some professional advice about structural engineering. All you need to do is measure the span, the measure the pitch, draw a diagram of the existing trusses, and an engineer can tell you how to modify for what you want. It may not be possible to do exactly what you want, they can come up with solution that would meet you needs. It has been a long time since I took structures, but I know removing the bottom cord is an invitation for the walls to kick out. If you are moving some of the interior webbing and beefing up the bottom cord for storage, then the chances for failure or deflection is less, but still there. I'd say the consultation fee is worth the peace of mind and definitely worth the price tag of fixing the garage if you just guess on the engineering.
2006-11-11 08:02:14 · answer #3 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Murphy says you`ll get a blizzard just as soon as you cut those trusses.
2006-11-11 21:12:29 · answer #4 · answered by william v 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋