Timeline for Can I remove one bottom chord from the trusses in my yard shed?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
14 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Dec 6, 2023 at 4:06 | comment | added | Mike H | I was hoping (not always the best plan) that I could frame in an attic access with double 2*4 running perpendicular to the chord I cut out and attach it with double joist hangers. I could also run another chord higher up on the truss, maybe 24" below the peak to add some structural support to that rafter. | |
| Dec 6, 2023 at 4:00 | comment | added | Mike H | Thank you both for the spirited comments. It was fun to read through and helpful to see both points of view. For what it's worth the roof is 15/32 exterior rated plywood. If I were to remove the single chord I would still have four complete trusses on both the front side and back side of the shed to include the gable ends...plus the flying trusts which I'm guessing add zero structural support. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 16:57 | comment | added | popham | @isherwood, I'm just grateful that you don't seem to be holding a grudge. I gotta take care to avoid arguing in bad faith just to save face. In this case I found the inspector argument defensively, where I was very tempted to agree with you until the thought occurred to me. I love arguing, so keep it coming. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 16:46 | comment | added | isherwood | I guess those things don't interest me much. If I was ever to be accused of being libertarian it's in cases like this. I don't care what an inspector says about my shed (even at sale time) and I don't care what the city says about trivial dimensions. I care about utility and aesthetics, along with property value. Thanks for being open-minded about my perspective. Apologies if I was a bit... passionate. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 16:07 | comment | added | popham | @isherwood, I vaguely recall concluding at some point that typical "yard sheds" are built below something like 6ft to dodge regulation analogous to 49cc gas engines. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 15:57 | comment | added | popham | @isherwood, I have no idea how thick the roof sheathing is. Nor do you. A home inspector will inspect all structures on a property. A truss with a chord missing is probably showing up in an inspector's report, especially if the ceiling is at 7 ft or higher as this appears to be based on the door. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 15:46 | comment | added | isherwood | Where did you get 5/16? (Home inspector? For a yard shed?) | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 15:44 | comment | added | popham | @isherwood, I'm almost on board with you. That roof sheathing, though. 5/16" has a span rating of 16/0 (3/8" is good for my region's 30 psf snow load), and I don't trust the load path from your rafters down to the wall's top plate. Looking at the 1st image again, I can see one of the bearing points in the bottom right corner. That looks okay from what I can tell. I anticipated the OP ignoring the part about constructing 2 additional trusses. I figure that cutting up one truss is more than half the material. A home inspector would flag your solution, but not this one. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 14:57 | comment | added | isherwood | @popham, I appreciate your knowledge and engineering approach, but at some point real-world conditions become so far afield of the scenario that knowledge was meant to address that they're just silly. This is one such case. It's economically and environmentally irresponsible to suggest that someone undertake what you've proposed. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 14:47 | comment | added | isherwood | This is absurd. The shed is 8x10, for crying out loud. You could remove half the trusses and nothing would change. You could cut out all the bottom chords but one and nothing would change. Do not waste time, effort, and resources rebuilding this as though it was a McMansion. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 6:37 | comment | added | popham | @Mike, image added. It's basically studs spaced every 12" with the top chord of trusses at the sides acting as top and bottom plates. For installing each one, I would screw a chunk of OSB to the underside of the top chords to provide a shelf holding the block tight to the roof sheathing. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 6:32 | history | edited | popham | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 70 characters in body
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| Dec 5, 2023 at 4:51 | comment | added | Mike H | Thank you for the detailed comment. I've read it five times, trying to digest and visualize it. This has been my first big project so I'm still learning. Would you happen to have a picture or diagram of the supports. If it matters any, I will only be removing one bottom chord. Thank you again. | |
| Dec 5, 2023 at 2:09 | history | answered | popham | CC BY-SA 4.0 |