I have a 24' X 32' pole barn, 10' sidewalls with the trusses on 2 foot centers. I would like to put in a small loft in the back. Would it be possible to remove 2 of the trusses and reinforce the rafters with 2X6 to make it easier to get around?
Thanks
Ok, this means (1)you will be up in the loft and (2)probably storing things up there too plus it has to support the area where you removed the trusses. The existing trusses may be out of spec from just the first two changes in there operating conditions. Best answer would be to contact the company that built the trusses on this matter.
Jimmie
An engineer dealing with that sort of thing can tell you. Additional support may be needed. Doing it wrong may result in serious structural damage and it may take a while for it to manifest itself.
The trusses were sized to handle the roof loads.
Unless you (or someone else) does calcs for the framing modifications you're contemplating, there is no way to know if they will do the original job (supporting the roof) and new job (supporting the loft).
cheers Bob
I presume you mean manufactured trusses. Yes, You need to use the span charts to size the lumber. That will insure that you still have enough spport. Basically you convert the area with trusses to conventional stick building.
Check the span charts for the appropriate sized 2 by lumber for a regular roof joist. Cut and place them next to the trusses you wsh to remove. Make sure they go from the top of the wall to the ridge beam. They do not need to extend out past the top of the wall so you do not have to cut a bird mouth. Nail them to the existing truss and at the ends. Cut away the parts of the truss you wish to eliminate.
How will you support this loft? Will it have support from the ground floor? Otherwise you should also replace the lower edge of the truss with the appropriate floor joist. Again use the span tables to find out what size 2 by lumber you need. If you add any uprights from the ground you still use the span tables to select floor joists.
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