Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 2/12/2009

Question
Mr. Johnson,
 I recently purchased my first home. In the attic i have W trusses that extend from a load bearing wall that separates my garage and the kitchen. My question is kind of complicated and my be impossible to answer with out pictures. I want to open the ceiling up-open beam and replacing the truss panel plate with a vertical member over the load bearing wall and reinforcing the bottom cord from the load bearing wall out 14 ft to the end at the butt.Is this enough reenforcement or should I also, reinforce the top cord. The bottom cord is sliced about 3 ft out from the load bearing wall on the affected side. Also, if this possible the next question is how is the ventilation flow throw the soffit into the attic through a open beam ceiling? ( I've talked too two different contractors about this and gotten two completely different answers from it can be done to i would do it) need more input i fix people not house.
                Thanks for your time
                      Scott

Answer
Hi Scott, first of all you will have to settle for a "fake" open beam ceiling if you want to keep the roof in the "new open" area insulated.  Secondly, before cutting or removing parts of "engineered" trusses you need to consult a truss expert or a truss engineer regarding the removal and alteration of these trusses.  Once you have the trusses re-engineered to look the way you want them to you need to build a false bottom at the roof line to create a space for insulation allowing two inches above the insulation for air flow through the attic.  This false ceiling can be done with tongue and groove wood for a nice wood look and then add some non structural beams below for effect.   I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com