Attic Exposed Collar Ties

In a frame like this the remaining collar ties are often doubled up putting one 2x on each side of the rafter.

Attic exposed collar ties. Collar ties as per current irc code are required to be at least 1x4 nominal material but are most commonly 2x4 s. In this how it works article managing editor debra judge silber explains the role of collar and rafter ties in the framing of a roof. Rafter tie or collar tie spacing intervals connection specifications. Collar ties are necessary to prevent separation of the roof at the ridge due to wind uplift.

The exposed beam ceiling look is one that many owners of conventional flat ceilings desperately want. The 2015 international residential code does not require collar ties or collar beams. Since everything is exposed you should install hurricane ties along the plate and the rafter where it meets the top of the wall. Stately attractive and open.

The most common reason for installing collar ties is to prevent rafters from spreading apart under load. I temporarily attached a couple of 2x4s to the rafters and made sure they were level to each other and along their lengths. Rafter ties resist the forces caused by gravity loads that would otherwise cause the roof to pancake and push out the sidewalls. I installed some collar ties so i could insulate the ceiling while leaving an air space at the top of the attic for ventilation.

This is on a conventional stick frame non truss structure as engineered roof trusses do not require collar ties from a framing material as they are tied together with metal plates gussets. It is not safe in any way shape or form. Collar ties are used for stability to stop the roof spreading or collapsing u have to understand there s a lot of weight on a roof with the roof tiles slates etc and also when u consider the. The collar ties can be wrapped with drywall or a higher grade of lumber can be used and left exposed.

This balances the construction and makes it look beefier. However in a conventionally framed peaked roof like the kind you describe collar ties would probably serve little or no function since the attic floor joists serve as ties to prevent the rafters from spreading. The ties allow for a drywall ceiling and add strength to the roof structure. A collar tie is a tension tie in the upper third of opposing gable rafters that is intended to resist rafter separation from the ridge beam during periods of unbalanced loads such as that caused by wind uplift or unbalanced roof loads from snow.

Desperately enough in fact to consider making the major step of pulling down ceiling drywall to expose joists above. Collar ties prevent rafter separation and uplift. Depending on the roof design and the roof rafter spacing. Do not mess with the collar ties.