Christopher DeBlois, PE is a structural engineer and principal at CFD Structural Engineering in Roswell, Georgia. The firm offers special expertise in wood and timber framing, and projects combining wood with other structural materials. Recent projects include a vaulted timber pavilion for a church in Birmingham, Alabama, a 64-ft. pedestrian bridge for the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia, and a contemporary wood and glass studio and lake house in rural Maine.
I need to convert an attic to livable space with minimal disruption to first-floor habitation.
Here's why you should consult with an engineer before cutting into that roof truss to accommodate a new architectural detail.
An engineer explains why most snow-related roof collapses are caused by connection failures, not failure of framing members.
When you can't support brick veneer on a masonry foundation, code allows you to use steel angles bolted to the framing - with strict limitations.