Balloon Framing and Collar Ties in One and Half Story House

[CdnGuy]

I'm trying to re-create my home in HomeDesigner Pro 2018 so I can plan and document our renovations. But I'm running into some trouble because it is a balloon framed one and a half story home.

 

The exterior wall studs are about 13' in length, providing the structure for both the first and second floors. First floor is about 8' to the bottom of the ledger board. Second floor exterior walls are about 4' high.

The rafters are birds-mouthed on to the plate around the second floor.

There is a collar tie about 8' from the floor of the second floor. This is where the ceiling is, but I can't seem to re-create that.

There are no knee walls on the second floor.

 

How can I make the exterior walls on the second story only 4' and have the ceiling be at the collar tie at the 8' mark? I either end up with a 4' ceiling or a vaulted ceiling right now.

 

 

[solver]

1) Please fill out your Signature -- see below.

 

2) Build the first floor. Build the 2nd floor setting the ceiling height to 4' (whatever is accurate).

 

Build the roof.

 

Turn off auto rebuild roofs. 

 

Raise the 2nd floor ceiling height to 8' or so.

 

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It helps if we know what title (Suite, Pro etc) and version (2014, 2015 etc) you are using. You can add this info to your signature by clicking on your user name at the top right of the page, click Account Settings, then Signature on the left. Doing so makes it always available, and this info is often key to providing a good suggestion

 

Resources for self help:

 

The built in Help System (always a good place to start)

 

Getting Started

 

Knowledge Base

 

YouTube

[CdnGuy]

Thank you, Solver.

Signature updated. Of all the technical things I do, CAD is my weakest skill related to construction. Demolition is probably my best.

[CdnGuy]

Nailed it. Thank you again, Solver.