designers

I have not personally tested any home design software, however, given my experiences with everything I have uncovered, it is my SUSPICION that home design software probably does not ask the end user if a wall is next to a cathedral ceiling. If that question were asked, the software should, in my opinion, prevent a standard 8 foot exterior load-bearing wall next to a cathedral ceiling because PROPER framing would require the studs go from the floor to the under-side of the cathedral ceiling level... and a standard 8 foot wall next to a cathedral ceiling area would prevent the necessary code compliance type of framing by placing the bottom chord of a truss in that exterior wall next to the cathedral ceiling below the ceiling level! In a flat ceiling, the ceiling acts as a brace for the exterior wall. When there is a cathedral ceiling... you don't have that and so the wall AND the truss within it can NOT be properly braced if the bottom chord of the truss within the wall is below the ceiling level!

The law states that designers are ultimately responsible for their designs but it does not define a "truss designer" and the problem is further compounded by the fact that "house design" includes the design of walls that may be next to cathedral ceilings. It is an ENGINEER that must determine the truss type that goes inside the wall next to a cathedral ceiling! If home designers and/or truss sales reps/manufacturers wish to engage in truss placement and suitability determination for wall sections next to a cathedral ceiling, they had better be engineers, otherwise, they would be violating the law and misrepresenting their qualifications if they engage in anything pertaining to truss suitability and/or placement matters. Be VERY aware of the issues!

The article below explains the issue in greater detail... but... bottom line... a standard 8 foot wall next to a cathedral ceiling creates a situation whereby the wall and roof become subject to collapse as a "hinge" is created in the load-bearing wall which has nothing to properly brace it.