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Roof trusses

Ridge beam roof

A ridge beam roof is carried by a structural beam along the ridge, so the ceiling can be open all the way up to the roof.

Also known as ridge beam roof, structural ridge beam, exposed ridge beam, open ceiling to ridge

The ridge beam, often glulam, spans between gable walls or posts and carries the upper ends of the rafters. With no ties across the room, the ceiling can follow the roof slopes to the ridge and the beam is often left exposed.

Scissor or cathedral trusses give a similar open, high ceiling without a ridge beam. In Sweden the look is known as ryggåstak.

Related terms
Scissor trussA scissor truss has a sloping bottom chord, so the ceiling underneath can follow the roof and form a vaulted room. GlulamGlulam (glued laminated timber) is a structural timber product made by gluing layers of timber together with the grain running in the same direction. Cathedral trussA cathedral truss creates a high, vaulted ceiling, with the bottom chord following the roof slope for all or part of its length.
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