If it is a bottom chord on a lightweight manufactured truss using 2 x4s and
2 x3s, DO NOT CUT IT, it is under tension and cutting it will weaken your
roof.

If it is heavy stick framing such as 2 x 6s you should be OK.

"Colbyt" wrote in message
...

"Sam the Cat" wrote in message
...
So I have this curious problem. I need to move the scuttle hole that I
use
to access a section of my attic. The place I want to put it is in a
closet
that is 24" deep but there is a joist just about square in the middle of
the
closet ceiling. My roof is framed with joists 24" on center and at this
point the span is about 20ft. I have always thought that the bottom
horizontal member was pretty significant in maintaining the integrity of
the
rafter "system" and so I am dubious on whether this is a "doable" thing.
In
order to make this work, I would need to head off the member on both
sides
and remove about 24". I'll be chatting w/the county building guys next
week, but thought I get a head start and see what folks thought.


In most cases the ceiling joist only supports the ceiling drywall and
provides some cross-tie benefit to the roof. Cutting one and providing
proper headers to maintain the structure should be no problem. A single
header transferring the weight to the joist to the left and right would
most likely be enough. If you want to err on the side of caution use a
doubled header. As you said this is in a closet most likely the weight
if
it is carrying any will be supported by the side walls of the closet in
any
case. As always local codes supercede Usenet advice.


Colbyt