Hi I'm building a 5 x 12 foot shed and was wondering what the dimensions of lumber for ridge board to span the 12 feet so it can be an open area

Bit strange shape tor a gable roof. 5/12 pitch would use a 2x6 ridge with 2x6 common rafters measuring less than 3' each. For a 5' span you don't need a ridge, just plywood or OSB gussets and a collar tie or two. Can't build a shed roof? Much less lumber, cutting and design. Just finished a 4x8 attached shed roof storage shed . Took 2 of us less than 4 hrs. Don't need a ridge, just a wall plate. If you can read a framing square fairly easy job.

I have odd requests but my problem is snow and I can't change the dimensions. I don't know the structural qualitys of the lumber. You think 2x6 12 feet long would be good because I need the open area. It's only 7 feet tall at most

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Originally Posted by ma0641

Bit strange shape tor a gable roof. 5/12 pitch would use a 2x6 ridge with 2x6 common rafters measuring less than 3' each. For a 5' span you dont need a ridge, just plywood or OSB gussets and a collar tie or two. Can't build a shed roof? Much less lumber, cutting and design. Just finished a 4x8 attached shed roof storage shed . Took 2 of us less than 4 hrs. Don't need a ridge, just a wall plate. If you can read a framing square fairly easy job.

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Sorry new to site but have lumber for anything just don't want beams just want it to be open want the rafters and ridgeboard to support 2 feet of snow also and can't change dimensions it's all the space I have and actually need it bigger

I wouldn't use a ridge for 5' span. Not needed. Use 2x6 joists with OSB cleats and a.collar tie at 4 and 8 ft. You are going to have headroom issues with a gable roof that is only 7' high.

Problem you will have is headroom. With a heavy snow load you need a 7/12 pitch or higher. Starting with a 7 ft gable height is going to drop your walls down. Can't do 8' walls?