Ridge Beam in Place

Last of the walls are up, and the ridge beam is in place.  Thanks so much to my Meetup helpers!

My wonderful helpers:  Nicole, (Me), Kyle, Fergus, Roula

I apologize for the lack of photos.  I get wrapped up in the work and forget to document!  (The photo above was taken by Joshua, courtesy of Nicole.)  The beam is two 2x8s laminated together with 1/2" OSB sandwiched in the middle.  All glued and screwed together to make a very strong beam.  The beam will be exposed so we sanded the wood and countersunk the screws so it'll look pretty.

The beam (purple) rests on 4x4 posts (green) and is sandwiched between the wall sections to hold it in place.  I screwed threw the wall studs into the post and the beam from both sides

 My 3D model showing the stage the house is at now.

 Detail of the beam/post/wall connection.

Angle brackets were added under the beam to attach to the post, and I will also add a tie plate to the outside to secure the beam to the posts there as well.  The roof rafters will be notched to sit over the beam.  You may notice one wall is higher than the other in profile. Not a mistake!  This was done on purpose.  :)  Since the slope of the roof is different on each side, this adjustment will ensure the two rafters meet snugly at the top.