Building and Construction - Framing for shed

Author

Framing for shed

Budman

2005-10-26, 3:21 pm

Hi all,

I was working on a design for a 16x20ft shed. It will be basic light
frame construction (SPF 2x6 walls, OSB sheathed, 12/12 pitch hip roof
with asphault shingles).

I would like to have more space for a second floor attic by using
longer studs and balloon framing the second floor (and extending the
exterior wall up a few feet more). This would give me extra space by
not having to build a knee wall (i.e. the exterior wall would be about
3 or 4 feet above the second floor).

If I collar-tie all the rafters and use a double 2x6 top plate, will it
be enough to resists the push of the rafters against the exterior
walls? Can you find straight enough 14-16ft 2x6 studs (non-engineered)
to do this?

Thanks,
Budman

Bob Morrison

2005-10-26, 5:21 pm

In a previous post Budman wrote...
> If I collar-tie all the rafters and use a double 2x6 top plate, will it
> be enough to resists the push of the rafters against the exterior
> walls? Can you find straight enough 14-16ft 2x6 studs (non-engineered)
> to do this?
>

The short answer is "maybe". The "push-out" problem depends a great deal
on the magnitude of your snow load. Straight studs 14-16 feet long are
possible but you will have to get them from a lumber yard and not one of
the big box stores.

--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA

Rich-out-West

2005-10-26, 9:21 pm

Bob Morrison wrote:
>snip<
Straight studs 14-16 feet long are
> possible but you will have to get them from a lumber yard and not one of
> the big box stores.
>
> --
> Bob Morrison, PE, SE
> R L Morrison Engineering Co
> Structural & Civil Engineering
> Poulsbo WA

Sometime last year, I made a great "discovery"...

Our outstanding local lumberyard (Cascade Lumber) sells structural
grades of 2x4 and 2x6 on a simple per foot basis. In other words, it
costs me the same per foot whether I buy in 8ft lengths or 20ft
lengths. The funny thing is when I sort through the piles, if anything
the longer lengths tend to be straighter higher-grade material. For
most purposes, I've pretty much taken to buying 20ft lengths and
cutting them as required. They're a little harder to transport and
store, but you end up with more options and a lot less waste.

Richard Johnson PE
Camano Island, WA

Bob Morrison

2005-10-26, 9:21 pm

In a previous post Rich-out-West wrote...
> Our outstanding local lumberyard (Cascade Lumber) sells structural
> grades of 2x4 and 2x6 on a simple per foot basis. In other words, it
> costs me the same per foot whether I buy in 8ft lengths or 20ft
> lengths. The funny thing is when I sort through the piles, if anything
> the longer lengths tend to be straighter higher-grade material. For
> most purposes, I've pretty much taken to buying 20ft lengths and
> cutting them as required. They're a little harder to transport and
> store, but you end up with more options and a lot less waste.
>

Hey Rich:

Where is Cascade Lumber? On the island or in Stanwood?

--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA

Budman

2005-10-27, 12:21 pm

Snow load not really a problem here in central NC.

Maybe I should just extend a gable off the front for a porch (for some
headroom).

Thanks for the info.

Budman

HerHusband

2005-10-27, 12:21 pm

>> I was working on a design for a 16x20ft shed.

With 4 foot side walls, a 16 foot width, and a 12/12 pitch, locating
collar ties at an 8' ceiling height would put them about 1/2 way up the
rafters. I've always heard the limit was about 1/3 of the total height,
but you will also have the balloon framed side walls resisting the
outward thrust too. It sounds fine to me, but Bob would know better than
I about the structural forces involved with heavier snow loads.
[color=darkred]
> Straight studs 14-16 feet long are possible but you will have
> to get them from a lumber yard and not one of the big box stores.

While I got most of our lumber from the lumber yards, I did buy quite a
few 16 foot 2x6's from our local Lowes. The longer lengths don't get
picked over as much as the shorter lengths, and I found it quite easy to
find nice straight boards. The biggest advantage of getting them at the
lumber yard is that they'll deliver. It's not real easy to transport 16
foot boards...

Anthony

Rich-out-West

2005-10-28, 8:21 pm

Bob Morrison wrote:
> In a previous post Rich-out-West wrote...
>
> Hey Rich:
>
> Where is Cascade Lumber? On the island or in Stanwood?
>
> --
> Bob Morrison, PE, SE
> R L Morrison Engineering Co
> Structural & Civil Engineering
> Poulsbo WA

Cascade Lumber is on the Island. Hamilton Lumber is the one in
Stanwood proper. Cascade specializes in framing lumber, siding, etc.
Their prices, service, and quality are outstanding and they deliver
over quite a wide area. When I was interviewing framers, two of the
best local guys told me they wouldn't even consider the job if I was
getting my materials from anywhere else (due to lower quality of some
of the other local sources). Cascade has been great to deal with
through our whole project. Hamiliton is more of a general service
hardware store/lumber yard. That being said, they fill a good niche in
our town as well.

Richard Johnson PE
Camano Island, WA

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