Shed rafter framing for storage

[RatLabGuy]

OK you enjuneers and archie-techs

Building a typical gable roof shed, 10x18. Walls are just under 8' tall from floor interior, 5/12 roof. 2x4 Rafters 16" on center w/ gussets at top. No ridge beam.
It's already taller than a typical cheap shed, I figured the extra height would be convenient for storage.
One half is for typical yard tool storage, mower etc, back end general storage. There's some chance I may add in a small shop space w/ a bench.

I know I need rafter ties or at least collar ties to keep it from sagging. Math says there'd be a bit under 2.5" from the wall height to the roof in the center.
I don't really need 8' clear height everywhere. I wanted it at least in one part because "what if I want to store 8' tall stuff upright" but at least the front yard tool end really only need 7' or even less.

Here's the question. Can I get away with running a beam across the studs lower than at the top (e.g. maybe 7') to keep them from spreading like a rafter tie would, to increase the storage space above and make it easier to reach? Do I correctly assume if I do, I'd definitely need a collar tie above that? If so it seems I'm probably just moving my usable space down by 1'.

Or, are there any other crative ways to make use of overhead shed space wrt framing?
I would have loved to have used a real ridge beam but the cost and PITA of an 18' long one on a cheap shed didn't seem worth it at the time.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Can you do a quick sketch because I'm too lazy to try to visualize?

 

[drkelly]

I need to do a build thread for my shed. I built my rafters on the shed floor with small pieces of wood screwed down to act as a fixture. I used a 2x8 across the bottom and 2x6's for the angled sides. I built three of them in the middle without the 2x8 so it would be open to load stuff up on both ends. I got a permit for this shed, and had all the inspections done. My shed is 14' x24'. The roof pitch is 10/12.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Can you do a quick sketch because I'm too lazy to try to visualize?

OK lazy right now my framing looks like this, except a little wider this looks like maybe 8' across

It could bow out, especially with snow loads so you'd typically have a tie like this

Or maybe a collar tie like this, to get a little more headroom (although it's be a little weird w/ a gusset I guess)

I'm wondering about doin gsomething like this, where the tie is mounted a foot down on the wall instead of on top of it (and probbaly supported on ends by a cross brace between the joists) so that there is more space above it

 

[RatLabGuy]

I need to do a build thread for my shed. I built my rafters on the shed floor with small pieces of wood screwed down to act as a fixture. I used a 2x8 across the bottom and 2x6's for the angled sides. I built three of them in the middle without the 2x8 so it would be open to load stuff up on both ends. I got a permit for this shed, and had all the inspections done. My shed is 14' x24'. The roof pitch is 10/12.
View attachment 357468

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Damn that is a big ass shed.
Having that 12/12(?) roof and so much width means there is a ton of space in the rafters.
And it looks like you did collar ties in the middle where the lowers don't cross

 

[jeepinmatt]

It's not the "best" way to do it, but it's a backyard shed, so it'll be fine. I think most of them don't have any kind of cross bracing.

 

[OnlyOneDR]

Frame the roof as a gambrel and use 10' lumber across from one side wall to the other above the top plate. I did this when I reworked a 10x16 shed that I dismantled and moved to rebuild at my house. Gained a 8x10 loft for storage. I used a 2x8 ridge beam because I had a leftover from my house addition but it didn't need one. It did make it easier for me to put back together with minimal assistance.

Here's my thread:. https://nc4x4.com/forum/threads/the-tool-shed.200976/

 

[RatLabGuy]

Bringing this back up. Like most projects this got delayed due to life, kids' activities etc.

Finally doing this roof. Originally my plan was to put up the rafters as independent boomerangs like in the pics above, then tie it in with the sheathing. However I'm finidng that (1) doing it alone is a huge PITA and (2) getting everything straight and lined up is infuriating.

Thinking of changing framing style to a ridge beam(ish) approach.
Problem is a convetional ridge beam this long is expensive overkill for a shed.

Is there any reason I could not take 2 10' 2x6s and sister them in the middle (between what would be rafters) and sit that on as a ridge beam, support it in center from the floor just to ensure its straight until the rafters are on, attach rafters by brackets, then add collar ties to every other one, and remove the support?
That way the collar ties are really doing the work, the ridge board is just holding the rafters against something.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Is there any reason I could not take 2 10' 2x6s and sister them in the middle (between what would be rafters) and sit that on as a ridge beam, support it in center from the floor just to ensure its straight until the rafters are on, attach rafters by brackets, then add collar ties to every other one, and remove the support?
That way the collar ties are really doing the work, the ridge board is just holding the rafters against something.

well this is what I ended up doing. Made a ridge board from 2 boards, sistered in the middle.
Unfortunately it sagged a little at that joint before I got it all framed together.
So i jacked up up by the ridge to level it out, then added a rafter tie on either side of the joint, and a king support to hold it up.

Now that its in place I'm wondering, would it be better to do 2 vertical kings from the tie to each rafter, making box? Or am I just overthinking this.