How to Install Collar Ties, Why? and What They Do!

[@007JHS]

If you don't have a laser level. Fit a collar tie at each end, carefully placed and two stringlines between each, one at each end of two collar ties and away you go.

[@davesmith729]

Love this great thinking

[@stuemler]

My grandpa taught me this

[@GreenVegan816]

You do a great job showing and explaining to us how to do whatever project you are working on. I really appreciate that. And I'm with you not wanting to collect a bunch of stuff we don't need. Your dog, btw, is so adorable!

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Thanks, Sharon! That is my goal! Koda was happy to make an appearance! 😁

[@JoshuaEllison-vg4wn]

Take width of house and divide the measurement by 3 best way to find how high collar ties go and also have the cuts parallel to roof slope and cut should be 10mm lower then the roof sheathing for shrinkage. I realized you explained that so good job!! 👍

[@stevelopez372]

The job of a Collar tie is to unitize roof rafters to each other across the ridge board when installing a conventionally cut and stack roof structure. Got it. On new structures simply apply straps over ridge board to both rafters before applying roof covering. Both will meet code for stacked roofs. Good info for existing older structures, thanks.

[@SaycoPworrell]

thanks buddy. Been working in the attic, adding new insulation and airsealing and my old 1920's house don't have this. will be adding collar ties.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Tron Effect Great! Hope the video helped you out! Thanks for watching!

[@davedunbar9526]

Clear & precise information; very much appreciated. I'm currently building a 12x16 workshop off the grid (at our recreational cabin) and wanted to know whether to use collar ties or ceiling ties. The ridge beam will be two 2x8s screwed together running on the 16' length and my 2x6 rafters will be about 10' long (on 16" centres). Thanks in advance.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Dave Dunbar Sounds great, Dave! Good luck with the project! Thanks so much for the kind words and for checking out the video!!

[@sonicmistress]

Collars or Ties? Not the same thing at all and there is no choice, 16' length with 2x8's, hope your only storing empty boxes up there.....This is a dangerous video and should be ignored.

[@VideoNOLA]

I know the IRC instructs us to place collar ties in the upper third of the rafter length, but it doesn't explicitly warn against placing them too high (as shown in your video). I wonder if a beefy metal gusset or plate might be a stronger solution vs. moving wooden ties up that high? It's great that you include a tie on every rafter pair instead of the nominal "every other" or "no more than 4 feet apart" spacing that many builders seem to abide by. Nice touch with the laser level (always wanted one!).

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Hey! Thanks for the comment. I still wanted to be able to walk around so I put them higher. I figured any collar ties are better than no collar ties as this house had none. I mean I am sure it would have stood for another 80 years without them but I am sure this helped when I remodeled the living room below. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@JOEYDGRACE]

@@TheFixerHomeRepair k

[@napkinthief4322]

awesome! i always thought that was just extra pieces of wood to hang stuff like lights in the future haha

[@lornesam2]

Awesome video! Snap a line and fly at it if you don't have a laser!

[@kellyherman7634]

Excellant! Very good instructions with rationale.

[@luisr6377]

As soon as he said “ what the hell was th…” it went to a commercial , perfect timing lol

[@kkeen1450]

This was great👍 very clear, easy to follow DIY info. Love the caption about wearing safety glasses (which you weren't wearing). Was that the do as I say, not as I do, part?! LOL, sorry I couldn't resist. Love your work👏💖🌟🔧🔨🔩🏆

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Haha yes basically, I realized I should have been wearing glasses so I let you know haha! Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!

[@RichardX0564]

Wow that's a nice clean attic, My previous owners left mine with a mess

[@warrenanderson8642]

My son has some separation on some of the rafters, there is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Don't know if it was shoddy work on the 55 year old house or there was some stress and pulling. I will be adding collar ties. Great video, one of the most informative.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Could be a lot of reasons for the gaps. If I had to guess it was built that way. Collar ties will give you peace of mind in my opinion. Hope the video helps. Thanks for watching!

[@MegaThepow]

@@TheFixerHomeRepair gma Agree, my newly build have gaps, freaking framers just wanted to get it done and move on

[@philhugill8458]

This Video is AWESOME........Bud.. Thanks a lot......keep'm coming !!

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

👍😁

[@Brandon-no3vc]

Whys your ridge board so thin?

[@mr.eastcoastgrow6132]

I've always used 3/4 plywood on both sides of the rafters. Takes longer but much stronger

[@bothfeetin]

2x4’s are good enough. A little overkill but nothing wrong with that! 👍

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Yeah, I tend to go a bit overkill sometimes 😁😁 Thanks for checking it out, Elmer!

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

I'm currently doing collar ties to create a vaulted ceiling. I have architectural plans ect but when I am taking my measurements there is big deviations between end to end measurements due to roof deflection. Is this normal or should I jack these rafters up until there is no deflection?

[@Bonezz024]

Exactly why I needed. Thanks man 🙏

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

Safety glasses: At 11:06, the 5th nail hit another nail and sparked. I had an eye doctor use a magnet get a sliver of metal out of my eye. 1/16” over and I would’ve been blind in one eye

[@harrisond8132]

I have a bunch of pressure treated floor boards from an old deck (5 1/2 wide by 1 inch thick. They should work okay, right?

[@1fashionbliss]

Enjoyed the video! Very detailed for anyone to follow! I just subscribed!👍🏼😊

[@opictia]

I would also at sway braces on both ends

[@bouncer812]

My ceiling joists are perpendicular to my roof rafters and I don’t have collar ties. What do I do here?

[@skeeburton3360]

Thanks very well done

[@lawnpro979]

as I recall, Correct if wrong. But it's ok to run every other one on 24" center. also only 4 nails.....per side. 8 total

[@singhA1968]

for level use thread and put mark

[@jenniferk.harmon2604]

Did you ever install insulation in that space? Baffles in between the rafters?

[@grapeshot3462]

Would it be ok to replace a collar tie with a knee wall support? There is one really annoying collar tie in my attic right next to the access that I would love to get rid of.

[@hoveredgirlheygirlhey8345]

I have a block garage the walls were pushed out due to no celling joises/ rafter ties well the walls were pulled back in the best the can what's the best way to stop this from happening again I was thinking using 2x8s and overlap them in the middle and glue screw and bolt them on every other rafter and adding coller ties on every other rafter also will this work I won't be storing anything on them so the ceiling joies won't be loan bearing does this should like it would work

[@brennickjack]

Hey fixer My 2 car garage roof rafters are sagging. Not the ridge, the ridge looks level. . Any thoughts on removing the sag out of 16 foot 2x6 rafters . Built in 1952, There are no collar ties , just very long spans of 2x6 roof rafters that sag just about in the middle ...I noticed it lat winter when the roof had about 6 inches inches of snow on it....

[@riffdex]

I’ve been doing research on this topic, and multiple sources have told me that collar ties (“ridge ties”) are not necessary - as long as you have ridge straps at the ridge they are enough to prevent uplift. What do you think about this conclusion?

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Hey, Dexter! In my (not so professional) opinion, I think that school of thought is correct for the purpose of stopping the separation of the rafters. However, I strongly believe collar ties help with the overall structural integrity of the house. Rafter ties will REALLY help but I believe having collar ties helps to tie the rafters together and even give the roof more strength and somewhat prevent the tail ends of the rafters from pushing out the walls. With all this in mind, this was the reason I used them on every set of rafters and not just every other. That is all my opinion anyway. Hope you enjoyed the video!!

[@BIKEMAN21]

probably not needed but if you dont need the space this looks like a good idea.

[@sonicmistress]

@@TheFixerHomeRepair Doesn't matter what you believe, hundreds of Structural Engineers say different.....In fact in most modern Blueprints, Collars are never used, it's old technology (Pre 70's) no longer needed and are easy (if you do have them) to replace to give you more headroom.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

@@sonicmistress yes, you are correct. I think the key word is in “modern” designs. You can build a house in ways where you don’t need them at all. My house is not a modern design. I am not an engineer at all so all I can do is do my research and make decisions when working on my house. Every house is different and ultimately it is up to you as to what you do to yours.

[@riffdex]

I’ve been doing some research on how to remodel my attic and I was wondering if you could provide any insight. The thing is my attic has rafter ties (not “collar ties”) about 1/3 of the way from the floor up. This is providing structural integrity to prevent the walls of the house from spreading due to outward pressure of the roof. In basically ties together each side of the roof. I noticed you don’t have these and I would like to remove them. Can I place a purlin wall like you have there, so that I might be able to remove the rafter ties so I can stand up in my attic? Also I would be down to add collar ties at the peak if that makes the structure more sound. (Currently no collar ties)

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Hey, Dexter. Sorry for the delayed reply. I think you could move the rafter ties all the way down to the floor as long as they are attached to the rafters and then maybe add plywood over them so you could walk on top. I am not there so I cannot see exactly the way the house is built so only take this as an option but if the rafter ties are there, they are there for a reason. I would also recommend collar ties as far up as you can put them. Hope this helps. Let me know what you end up doing. Thanks for watching!

[@riffdex]

@@MAGAMAN the ceiling joists do go in the same direction as the ties. And, admittedly very unscientific to mention, but other houses in my neighborhood have removed the ties to open their attics. I’m not saying I just want to rip them out without thinking things through, but I don’t see how the ceiling joists aren’t doing their intended job of keeping the walls tied together. I’d really like to have an attic that is more functional

[@Mrdubomb]

My roof setup is the same as yours, I have no collar ties but I have mid ties in my attic, conveniently placed so I can barely move up there, any opinions on removing them and installing collar ties? Also I noticed you have a knee wall in your attic, I wonder if I would need that installed as well before removing anything.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Hey! I would not recommend removing those ties. I would have to look at the structure to say for sure but they are there for a reason I would guess. Maybe you can ask someone local to take a look? As far as the knee wall, are you refering to the wall in between the attic sections? If so, that is the old gable wall. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@lynnwhite3220]

what kind of nails?

[@phillph8391]

Thank you Sir 🙏🏻

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

No problem! Hope the video helps!

[@icepal19999]

What stand are you using for your Wokeline Laser Level? Got a link from Amazon?

[@lisastewart6985]

Is there any issue with not cutting the ends at an angle ? I have noticed a couple sites say it's not necessary.

[@144928]

am using 2x4s, straight cut, but I am strictly an amateur trying to stop roof from sagging.

[@christianel-haj1061]

Great video

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Thanks, Christian!

[@andrewwalsh9849]

Great video! I'm looking at buying a house where a few of the rafters are already starting to pull away from the ridge board. I was planning on putting collar ties, but should I get the rafters fixed first?

[@benweston275]

I got the same thing going. What did you end up doing?

[@andrewwalsh9849]

@@benweston275 After the home inspection, the previous owner ended up installing collar ties so they don't pull further.

[@sef2273]

What caused a rafter to pull away from a ridge board? Isn’t all the way leaning in towards a ridge board?

[@josephbohme7917]

It is your bldg you cannot cheat if you cared more; you'd take more time. If you wanted higher a 2" steel strap 4' on both sides with a 2x4" wood bridge braced inside.

[@brianeaton3734]

I understand how the collar ties beef up the roof and add stability. But is it really needed. Looks like an old house, been around for years through lots of weather and storms, and the rafters look like they haven’t moved since the day the house was built..

[@herptyderp4927]

It depends really, on my home I ended up putting central AC with a 2.5 ton unit in the attic, problem being the unit was 17in wide and the gap between my rafters was 16 inches, so I put in collar ties and a couple structural knee walls so I could cut out and relocate other structures to get that AC in. plus it made upgrading the wiring super easy once I could walk down a gang plank and drop the wires where I needed them without having to work around all of the BS

[@JamesBrown-oo3uw]

What nails are you using?

[@sonicmistress]

Not structural type...LOL Collars aren't structural.

[@longhauler8963]

I have a sagging ridge myself and do you think if I add some collar ties it should help to prevent the ridge from sagging anymore?

[@sebausa1]

Your walls are bowed out, that's your ridge sink down.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

No ceiling joists

[@yvonnep.2586]

Do you have some kind of superpower 🤔 or how did you get those long boards through the narrow staircase opening? 🧞‍♂️😂

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Haha that was the one good thing the old attic staircase was good for! Can’t do that anymore. But that’s ok. Thanks for watching!

[@lostintime8651]

I have no ridge beam in my garage. Odd. No idea why. I installed collar ties when I saw that.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

Make a vidio

[@nutsymetalheadz5910]

I'm just curious . . . Why don't you want the collar ties to rub on the decking (6:00)?

[@jeremiahbush3195]

To allow for expansion

[@007nadineL]

I looked for this subject after watching Tyler and todd disaster after a deliveryman told them they could remove their collar ties boards to make their ceiling higher .

[@CybekCusal]

Just install hangers and then you don't need the collar ties and you'll have more headroom.

[@ryanspence7239]

Why can't it touch the decking?

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Hey! It can touch but if you hold it away you have less of a chance of any squeaking that might happen. That is really the only reason. Thanks for watching!

[@Brandon-no3vc]

Expansion from heat and moisture

[@SprezzaturaLifestyle]

where are the shirt collars and neck ties?

[@zakbrinkhoff324]

That's a scary thin roof rafter

[@Brandon-no3vc]

The ridge?

[@TheRoadTaken]

Need a new link for the 360 degree level (thank you covid).

[@jonnyboat2]

I just watched a video. They said space them every 48”.

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Yes, that is common. Sometimes I go a bit over board. This was one of these times. 😁😁 Thanks for watching!

[@jonnyboat2]

@@TheFixerHomeRepair Can’t hurt though. I’ve only seen the two videos regarding collar ties. I doubt there’s a building code that deals with them.

[@sonicmistress]

Honestly.....First of all if a roof doesn't have Collars then it probably doesn't need them, before the introduction of Trusses it was common to find Collars in roofs but they offer no Structrural strength to the roof and they only are there to stop uplift from winds, if they were structural you'd be using Bolts not Nails, total waste of energy, time and money fixing them in a roof this size, it only has some hangers on one side, no struts or purlins.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

How would the wind up lift the rafters

[@MVDreports]

@@Brandon-no3vc the uplift while the thing is in construction, before it’s completely sealed up

[@munequitamua5867]

👍👋

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Thanks, Munequita!

[@ibelievelll5399]

👍🏽🤗

[@lindacurwen2053]

First, I think

[@TheFixerHomeRepair]

Haha I think you were. Thanks for watching!