Expert: Dave Johnson - 6/2/2009

Question
My house was built in 1998. They used a 2x4 wood truss roof frame. If i double up the 2x4's on the rafters and the ceiling chords can i remove the vertical and horizontal webs for a cathedral ceiling on 1/4 of house. (master bedroom)

Answer
Hi Nicolas,
You can do even better than that.
ONE AT A TIME take all webbing and bottom chord away; add a new rafter at 1/2 the pitch of the original top chord, make sure it sits on the plate, meets exactly in the middle, and truss it as you would the other trusses.
This will be a "scissor truss".
If you don't understand what I mean, google scissor truss and there will be a pic.
This will give you a cathedral ceiling and room for much more insulation.

Best of luck and if you need more please mail me...

Dave