A-frame ideas?

[dewaynearnold]

So I've decided to go with an aframe design post and beam/timberframe. The foundation will be 32ft wide 48 long and will have a peak about 34ft to center. Pitch would be about 26/12 the rafter beams will be around 38ft long 12' oc. 3 floors first 2 will be around 9ft ceiling height top one will be probably 12ft or so. Half will be open to top (24deep 32wide)

Are 12x12 timbers adequate for this? Do I need add vertical beams other than the supports for the upper floors? Not good at explaining but can draw out a quick plan if needed for clarification.

[Don P]

Definitely draw it out to scale. In the process start filling it out with rooms, furnishings, the clutter of life and sketch or visualize it in 3 dimensions. Don't forget those angled walls in that process. Also think about light, or the lack thereof. An A frame is a poorly daylighted tunnel. The roof slopes eat a lot of room. That is why you don't see many of them.

If I didn't succeed in dissuading you. You mention rafters on 12' centers, I'm assuming purlins, sketch that spacing and detail that connection. Floor systems and what you are thinking there. Also think about how you are going to raise this, I remember an owner builder a few years ago toppling it all partway through during raising.

[Chilterns]

This sounds like a very big cruck frame ?

What we need to see is a sketch of a typical bent (cross frame).

[DMcCoy]

I agree with Don.  Your foundation costs are the same with vertical walls.  Your storage space will be below waist level -so crawling around on both floors.  Boxes used for storage are square.  You will loose a lot of otherwise usable space to little triangles.   Dormers could be added to bring natural light to the middle area. 
Is there a A frame house you can rent and stay at for a little while.  This is a big commitment with no good remodeling options.  I have heard it once said A frames are more useful upside down.

[kantuckid]

My 1st "home" was an A-frame but a cabin on the Kaw River in the woods at that. Then after several years I met this cute hillbilly girl in Augusta, GA one night and as we married not long afterwards, our first dream home was to be a much larger A-frame-they were a "thing" back in the early 1970's. They can fit steep slopes well and have a definite individuality that fits' into forest sites too. The after a couple of years I went back to college age 30 and came to my senses-something happened cause I left A-frames long behind and really glad I did.
I may still have head bumps from sleeping in that loft? ;D Using space to full advantage is nigh on impossible. My first roof was selvage and I don't envy the guy that re-roofed it. I sank creosote poles then some western cedar beams bolted to that. Roof frame was 2x6 rafters with 1x T&G roof decking.
On a serious note-In my hometown of Topeka, KS my next door neighbor worked at Garlinghouse her entire life. They were a major home plan publisher long before Al G. invented the internet. I suggest going onto ebay and also doing used book searches with places like Albris or other used booksellers to find A-frame designs from the late 1960-70's period as that's when they were most common. Blueprints maybe are harder to find than the plan books people dreamed within?
That said, they can be logical for a vacation type of home or a remote build. 

[firefighter ontheside]

I would definitely consider some dormers, at least on the second floor where floors pace will be minimal.  My log home has a 9/12 pitch roof.  My master is all dormers to make more usable space, but we do have low storage where its too low to walk.  You don't realize how much usable space you will have until its built.  My loft that is open to living room below is a big waste of space with about half of it unusable other than for clutter.  Wish I'd done it differently.