This is an awesome video!! I'm a structural engineer, love the comments of you cutting the trusses!! haha!! I think you did a great job with the reinforcements. I'm going to be doing something like this over my Garage, but its going to be air conditioned storage rather than a bed room closet. Thanks for the insight of all the process you went thru!!
Sure but the house was designed WITH joist and rafters your house was not. Did you run this by a structural engineer? Actually you might have a degree I don’t know, if you do did you run the calculations?
Ok, looks sus, but looks can be deceiving, I had the same issue in my attic, wanted more storage space, I wound up building around the trusses. Your closet looks great. 👍
@@julianayala03 I actually went one size larger than code required for the span and spacing. Plus I did not remove the existing bottom or top chord of the truss. So it’s actually stronger than originally built
You are brilliant. I have been trying to get a contractor to do the same with my similar attic space over the garage. New Laundry room. They said “take off the roof”. Your method is excellent getting joists to sister-in next to the trusses must take very precise measurement to properly support the roof. I’m going through my own "little door" after I finish watching your solutions.
I knew someone in Marina Del Rey Ca that lived in a condo and there was this huge space that was just filler for the style of the building above their unit and they did something similar and tripled the area of their condo. I was a tv antenna man and have been under and over many spaces in my life so this is not the first time I have seen things like this.
This is a cool project. My attic feels completely unusuable given the trus design. Im building an addition for more storage but attic will probably be my next area of investment/research.
You need a header above the window for the stud you cut. You cut that vertical support, without any transfer to the other studs. You need one on the top, and one at the bottom to replace the action of the cut stud. Also, you did you put a header above the new entrance
I didn’t show the detail but I built an all new wall on the inside of the window with supports where the 2x4 was cut for the sheathing attachment. To new wall was framed so that no header was needed. There is a header above the new entrance.
There's no way he got this permitted. Not that it's totally unsafe, but you can't nail rafters to studs for support. Inspector would have made him put in jack studs for the rafters to lay on.
The top and bottom chord were not removed. Just reinforced with a proper 2x for the load and length. The bottom chord was still sitting on a load bearding wall and a shorter jack stud was placed under the new top chord (I didn’t show that step well). Then the middle chords were cut
I'm a licensed home inspector. Posting a video like this without an upfront disclaimer may not be the best idea. I would politely suggest you explain at the beginning that you are qualified to make these alterations and also explain why your method is safe. Many people will watch this video and falsely think they can cut the trusses in their home and slap a few 2x4s in their place, no big deal. NOT TRUE. I see truss alteration several times a year by average homeowners and it is NEVER done the correct way. The cost to repair it before they can sell the home is usually in the $10,000 - $20,000 range.
That’s a decision that should be made by a professional. There are a lot of factors. Your local building department should be able to provide some information.
On that wall where you had to add the extra 2x4s to fit the insulation... What did you put behind the insulation? Looked like open attic space behind it.
It is open attic space. With the diagonal supports, the insulation fit snug enough to stay in place. The other option would be to put a few staples in the insulation to keep it in place.
What is the thinking behind not also adding vertical supports to attach to and bolster the effects of the 2x8 sister board rafters? Are they just attached to the original 2 x 4?
The vertical supports were already in place. I was only adding support for the roof load span. An additional support directly under the new 2x8 would be a good idea, but not necessary.
So sound… if you want sound proofing, dont do 6x2’s for a wall Do alternating 2x4’s, as a 2x6 wall. So every 8 “ you put in a 2x4. Moving them from front to back (on the baseplate) alternating this creates a cavity between the drywall and the other side of the wall. When the sound hits the dry wall it uses solid pieces to transfer the sound waves. In this case the sound is greatly reduced and mostly dies in the wall. Also, you dont have to drill in holes for wires. It does double the 2x4’s needed 😢but hey those are cheaper than 2x6’s 😊
That’s called decoupling and I’m familiar with it and it’s effectiveness, but I was using what was already in place. In this case I didn’t add any 2x6s
The top chord and bottom chord of the trusses are still in tact and continue to the peak of the roof. Only the web portions in that area were removed. The sistered in 2x are just reinforcement for the top chord in that portion for the roof support.
Looks great. You used materials that would help with sound absorption, which is generally a great idea in a living space, but why would that matter for a closet?
So generally speaking, you sistered the engineered trusses, then cut them out? Is this pretty straightforward for an engineer to sign off on? Would like to do this with my garage trusses.
I used a code scale to determine which size floor joists and ceiling rafters to use for the span, spacing, and load. I sistered them into the existing trusses and nailed them into the beam on one end and wall top plate of the other end. Once each floor joist and ceiling rafter was in, I cut out the truss supports one at a time.
@@m10stuff nice, thanks for the insight. I’ve wanted to do this on the main level of our split family house for a while, so we go from 8’ ceilings to vaulted. Priced having a contractor remove the engineered trusses and replace with scissor style trusses. Cost prohibitive. But with approved drawings I could do this technique myself (have a background in construction and remodeling). If anyone’s curious there’s TH-cam vids where guys have done this in a garage or large shed.
Good! For others watching this video, any modifications to trusses must be approved by a registered design professional (ie structural engineer), per building code IBC Section 2303.4. 5.
i certainly hope you got an engineer to stamp cutting all those trusses, but it's pretty damn weird that you didn't mention this or tell people that you can't simply cut trusses..... 😮
This is an awesome video!! I'm a structural engineer, love the comments of you cutting the trusses!! haha!! I think you did a great job with the reinforcements. I'm going to be doing something like this over my Garage, but its going to be air conditioned storage rather than a bed room closet. Thanks for the insight of all the process you went thru!!
Nice. Best of luck.
I don’t often cut trusses, but when I do, I like to cut all of them
Actually pretty funny. But, properly sized floor joists and rafters are used in many houses without trusses.
Sure but the house was designed WITH joist and rafters your house was not. Did you run this by a structural engineer? Actually you might have a degree I don’t know, if you do did you run the calculations?
@@julianayala03 I promise it’s all within code and it’s my profession.
Ok, looks sus, but looks can be deceiving, I had the same issue in my attic, wanted more storage space, I wound up building around the trusses. Your closet looks great. 👍
@@julianayala03 I actually went one size larger than code required for the span and spacing. Plus I did not remove the existing bottom or top chord of the truss. So it’s actually stronger than originally built
Absolutely incredible! I looked into the attic and didn’t see my hubby’s attic conversion vision but thanks to you, I can now see it!
Love this!
You are brilliant. I have been trying to get a contractor to do the same with my similar attic space over the garage. New Laundry room. They said “take off the roof”. Your method is excellent getting joists to sister-in next to the trusses must take very precise measurement to properly support the roof. I’m going through my own "little door" after I finish watching your solutions.
Fantastic work! Love that you were able to claim the extra space!!!
Thank you
That's amazing and looks very nice.
Thank you
Top DYI video. Awesome results. Valuable content!
Thank you!
this is an amazing transformation
Thank you!
Very cool. I’m going to have a crack at my place and you’ve inspired me. Thanks
Awesom Job, I will check out the Contractors warehouse, never knew it existied thanks FR Lodi
wow what a awesome transformation, great work man!
Thank you for watching
Awesome project bro 👍🏻
You did a great job!
Thank you
I knew someone in Marina Del Rey Ca that lived in a condo and there was this huge space that was just filler for the style of the building above their unit and they did something similar and tripled the area of their condo. I was a tv antenna man and have been under and over many spaces in my life so this is not the first time I have seen things like this.
It’s crazy to me that they didn’t build this out in the first place.
Good job dude!
This is a cool project. My attic feels completely unusuable given the trus design. Im building an addition for more storage but attic will probably be my next area of investment/research.
You need a header above the window for the stud you cut. You cut that vertical support, without any transfer to the other studs. You need one on the top, and one at the bottom to replace the action of the cut stud. Also, you did you put a header above the new entrance
I didn’t show the detail but I built an all new wall on the inside of the window with supports where the 2x4 was cut for the sheathing attachment. To new wall was framed so that no header was needed. There is a header above the new entrance.
There's no way he got this permitted. Not that it's totally unsafe, but you can't nail rafters to studs for support. Inspector would have made him put in jack studs for the rafters to lay on.
I understand what you’re saying but the original rafters were not removed. Just reinforced with larger 2x.
So you cut the trusses and sistered the rafters to compensate? Is that structurally equivalent?
The top and bottom chord were not removed. Just reinforced with a proper 2x for the load and length. The bottom chord was still sitting on a load bearding wall and a shorter jack stud was placed under the new top chord (I didn’t show that step well). Then the middle chords were cut
Nice job
Thank you
What do you get up to in your closet that has you so worried about sound deadening?!
Thank you. My thoughts exactly 💯
Zoom meetings and online schooling. The room cuts out most outside noise.
I'm a licensed home inspector. Posting a video like this without an upfront disclaimer may not be the best idea. I would politely suggest you explain at the beginning that you are qualified to make these alterations and also explain why your method is safe. Many people will watch this video and falsely think they can cut the trusses in their home and slap a few 2x4s in their place, no big deal. NOT TRUE. I see truss alteration several times a year by average homeowners and it is NEVER done the correct way. The cost to repair it before they can sell the home is usually in the $10,000 - $20,000 range.
I appreciate the advice. I look into a way to do that
You got paid before, during and after working on that house! They know what they are doing.
Thanks for the vid. How did you decide on the new blocking/dimensions for the trusses ?
I found a building code guide for proper sizing online. The distance, spacing, and purpose all matter.
How would I know what rafters to cut? Do I have to put additional supports where?I don’t want my home to fall in hahaha do
That’s a decision that should be made by a professional. There are a lot of factors. Your local building department should be able to provide some information.
On that wall where you had to add the extra 2x4s to fit the insulation... What did you put behind the insulation? Looked like open attic space behind it.
It is open attic space. With the diagonal supports, the insulation fit snug enough to stay in place. The other option would be to put a few staples in the insulation to keep it in place.
What is the thinking behind not also adding vertical supports to attach to and bolster the effects of the 2x8 sister board rafters? Are they just attached to the original 2 x 4?
The vertical supports were already in place. I was only adding support for the roof load span. An additional support directly under the new 2x8 would be a good idea, but not necessary.
@@m10stuff You near Maryland?
@@leighdencker there’s a sign near my house that says "Ocean City, MD 3073 miles". I’m about as far away as you can get in the continental USA
OMG, I was laughing as watching the mods you made! When you can’t open that window it my be the first sign you screwed up big time! Good luck
I open it every day. There’s nothing wrong with what I did. The only thing I screwed up is I wish I would have leveled the step better
Don’t think trusses are supposed to be cut , obviously no permit
lol. You think? When properly reinforced and rebuilt anything can be modified.
Your the man
I covered my nose and I am at home lol
So sound… if you want sound proofing, dont do 6x2’s for a wall
Do alternating 2x4’s, as a 2x6 wall.
So every 8 “ you put in a 2x4. Moving them from front to back (on the baseplate) alternating this creates a cavity between the drywall and the other side of the wall.
When the sound hits the dry wall it uses solid pieces to transfer the sound waves. In this case the sound is greatly reduced and mostly dies in the wall. Also, you dont have to drill in holes for wires.
It does double the 2x4’s needed 😢but hey those are cheaper than 2x6’s 😊
That’s called decoupling and I’m familiar with it and it’s effectiveness, but I was using what was already in place. In this case I didn’t add any 2x6s
@@m10stuff seems logical. Good video.
You sistered them but what’s supporting the roof?
The top chord and bottom chord of the trusses are still in tact and continue to the peak of the roof. Only the web portions in that area were removed. The sistered in 2x are just reinforcement for the top chord in that portion for the roof support.
No rockwool insulation? I thought that stuff was best for sound and insulation
It is technically better. You’re right. It wasn’t so important to me to justify the extra cost.
Thanks. How about space for the air flow for under the roof?
Unfortunately there’s only a small gap above in this location now
HVAC tech here. 7” or 8” oval pipe would have work perfectly inside the 2x4 wall…
I just used what was already there. Good thought though
What type of cost did you incur for this renovation
$2200 in materials and tool rentals
This is a great resource as idea. Not to do something very similar. I Am in Massachusetts. Where did you get the vacuum?
Thanks
I rented it from a local tool rental yard.
Looks great. You used materials that would help with sound absorption, which is generally a great idea in a living space, but why would that matter for a closet?
Thanks. It’s used as an area for online school meetings and zoom classes. So keeping outside noise out and inside noises in is a plus.
So generally speaking, you sistered the engineered trusses, then cut them out? Is this pretty straightforward for an engineer to sign off on? Would like to do this with my garage trusses.
I used a code scale to determine which size floor joists and ceiling rafters to use for the span, spacing, and load. I sistered them into the existing trusses and nailed them into the beam on one end and wall top plate of the other end. Once each floor joist and ceiling rafter was in, I cut out the truss supports one at a time.
@@m10stuff nice, thanks for the insight. I’ve wanted to do this on the main level of our split family house for a while, so we go from 8’ ceilings to vaulted. Priced having a contractor remove the engineered trusses and replace with scissor style trusses. Cost prohibitive. But with approved drawings I could do this technique myself (have a background in construction and remodeling). If anyone’s curious there’s TH-cam vids where guys have done this in a garage or large shed.
Risky cutting trusses. It might compromise the whole roof. They all work together. I hope you have no snow loading there?
Definitely no snow here. But I used proper reinforcement per code for the load
did you have a structural engineer check out your plans to cut those trusses??
This has been done and signed off many times in this neighborhood the exact same way.
Good! For others watching this video, any modifications to trusses must be approved by a registered design professional (ie structural engineer), per building code IBC Section 2303.4. 5.
@@m10stuff nice dodge. have you considered a job in politics?
@@Shadi2 no. I have a Ford. But thank you.
Oh my God 😂
Is that all it takes to reinforce a truss? 1 2x8 per truss?
It all depends on the span across, the spread of the trusses, and what is on top. You’d need to look at your local building codes.
Don't you put carpet first, then wall trim?
Depends on the carpet guy. My guy wanted the baseboards installed 1/2” off the ground then he tucks it in.
@@m10stuff thank you for your response!
Collar ties?
Yes. I usually wear them for church or weddings and other special occasions.
whats wrong with ryobi?
Nothing. It’s just something contractors make fun of because they are low cost entry level tools.
i certainly hope you got an engineer to stamp cutting all those trusses, but it's pretty damn weird that you didn't mention this or tell people that you can't simply cut trusses..... 😮
They were al reinforced and rebuilt with proper floor joist and roof joists for the load prior to cutting.
Your house will collapse !!! It won't pass the inspection when you sell the house. Town hall won't give you CO! 😓
Haha. Ok. If that happens I’ll give you the house.
Air sealing?...💩🥸💩
Yes. Lots of it.
Subrogation. 😂 And hes provided the evidence. 😮😂
Proof actually. Not evidence. Proof of proper modifications for insurance and the city so that there is coverage.