Do you need collar ties and rafter ties?

Collar ties are necessary to prevent separation of the roof at the ridge due to wind uplift. Rafter ties resist the forces caused by gravity loads that would otherwise cause the roof to pancake and push out the sidewalls.

Are collar ties necessary?





Collar ties are probably not needed if approved metal connectors were used to fasten the rafters to the ridge. Where they are required, they should be installed on every other rafter where rafters are on 24-inch centers. Collar ties, contrary to popular belief, do not prevent walls from spreading.

Does I need collar ties on a shed roof?

A shed roof is similar; as long as it’s properly attached at the top, the bottom can’t move. “Collar ties” are an exercise in futility. Use them as ceiling joists if needed; otherwise, leave them out.

Are collar ties required with ridge beam?

Collar ties are tension ties in the upper third of opposing gable rafters used to resist rafter separation from the ridge beam when the roof is under unbalanced loads, such as wind uplift or snow. Collar ties are not required by the 2018 International Residential Code.

What is code for collar ties?

Collar ties shall be not less than 1 inch by 4 inches (25 mm by 102 mm) (nominal), spaced not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center.

How far down should collar ties be placed?





When it comes to collar tie placement, the code specifies that collar ties are to be located in the upper one-third area of the attic space up near the ridge and shall not be spaced more than 4 feet on center.

How do I get rid of collar ties?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Another solution would be to use a strap here's the strap on top and you can see that there are no collar ties underneath.

What is the purpose of collar ties?

Collar Ties are horizontal timber beams between the rafters that stop the rafters spreading. The downwards loads of roof coverings tend to spread the rafters and push the tops of the house wall outwards.

How many rafter ties are needed?

Rafter ties amount to an additional framing member that runs above the ceiling joists and that connects opposing rafters. They are generally required every 4 ft., which means that you need a rafter tie only for every other pair of 24-in. o. c. rafters or for every third pair of 16-in.

Can I use 2×4 for collar ties?



Collar ties must be at least 1x4s; when attached to a small rafter, such as a 2×4 or 2×6, a larger collar tie can provide more nailing area. The IRC one-size-fits-all requirement for collar ties and ridge straps is three 10d nails at each end of the collar tie or strap, as provided in Table R602.

How high can rafter ties be?

Figure R802. 4.5 of the 2018 IRC states that a rafter tie can be raised a maximum distance of “HC” above the top of rafter support walls. HC is determined by a simple formula in which that height is a function of the ridge height (HR): The ratio of HC/HR cannot exceed 1/3 (see illustration).

How do you attach collar ties to rafters?

Position a collar tie flat against the corresponding sides of a pair of opposing rafters. Align the lower edge at each end with the marks on the rafters. Attach the ties to the sides of the rafters with three 16d framing nails in a triangular pattern at each end.