Framing A Barrel Roof

I ve found it s faster and more economical to make a pair of arched ledgers and to fasten them to the gable walls then run joists to span between the ledgers to frame the barrel vault.

Framing a barrel roof.

If you are unfamiliar with what a baseline is within home designer pro click on the help menu and select launch help. Select build roof roof plane then click and drag out the first roof plane being sure to draw the roof plane s baseline on the outer edge of the framing layer of the wall defining the rear of the structure. Except for the layout these impressive architectural details are not that hard to frame. This is because a steep sloped roof requires a taller chimney and more lumber for framing.

This allowed us to concentrate on getting the proper august jlc 2001 by thomas buckborough keeping the ceiling joists independent of the rafters simplified the process framing a barrel vault dormer. The solution was to frame the ceiling separately from the roof. Our vaults are typically installed in a rectangular opening in a hallway or master bathroom. However the end result may be well worth it as your roofing material is estimated to last up to 50 longer and will require less maintenance.

First frame your barrel roof dormer up to the top plates in the conventional way but leave the roof sheathing and framing on the main house intact above the dormer top plates. The ledgers are two layers of 3 4 in. Choose the style of your barrel vault. The company i work for builds spec homes.

Measure the length of your barrel vault to the nearest 1 8. Roof and the curve of the ceiling with the same rafters. Plywood with staggered seams. A carpenter and helper can do it in four to five hours.

One of the ways we dress them up is by adding barrel vault ceilings. Plywood glued and screwed together. Make rafters for the complete arch out of two layers of 3 4 in. In this 3rd video from our 3 part house framing series pro framer larry haun demonstrates how to build the roof for a modest size house.

Measure the width of your barrel ceiling to the nearest 1 8. Note the height required for each of the arch styles.