How high can I raise rafters in an A frame loft without weakening roof?
The pieces holding the roof up are generally called rafters. The cross pieces tying the rafters together are commonly called braces. The best solution is to install a strong and “sufficient” header beam at right angles to the rafters and above the braces so that the ends of all the roof rafters are directly resting on the header. (And in turn, the header is supported at either end – as well as in the middle if the span is greater than 10 -12 feet – by posts which in turn are supported by a load bearing wall or equivalent reinforcement directly beneath each post – on the floor below.) Then insert shims where necessary to ensure that each rafter is positively supported by the header beam. Finally, each rafter must be attached to the header by proper sized nails or screws. Ditto for the header and the posts (again check your local building code to make sure your attachments are legal). When you’re certain that the rafters (and roof) are being properly supported by the header then simply r
