 |
“As soon as I saw the preliminary sketches,” says Russ Prudhomme, design and engineering officer for Yankee Barn Homes, “I knew we’d have to pay attention to the roof and frame system.” |
Sharon’s priority for a wide-open space inside their Yankee Barn addition created some important considerations for the YBH planning team. “As soon as I saw the preliminary sketches,” says Russ Prudhomme, design and engineering officer for Yankee Barn Homes, “I knew we’d have to pay attention to the roof and frame system.”
 |
Sharon and Jean-Yves’ Yankee Barn during construction, showing the modified A-frame roofing system. |
|
The design of an open-span Yankee Barn requires some modifications to the standard roofing system. “We pay close attention to lateral stability ... the ability of the structure to remain stable under the great sideways stresses created by wind,” said Russ. “By removing all center supports and posts, we need to engineer the roof system using stronger materials like planed kiln-dried Doug fir. We also use a different type of frame called an A-frame in situations like this.” But not to worry, Russ says. “This kind of modification is routine for the technical department ... we’re set up for it. We build Yankee Barns designed to stand up to hurricane-force winds, high snow loads and seismic forces ... no problems here!” |
 |