Hey Guys,

Thanks for the insight. Gabel, you say that the lower arches are decoration. I think you mean that the load of the roof is carried by the rafters at the plates, and the lower arches in a sense are just "hanging" there. Is this correct? I wonder if there is a way for those to actually carry the load of the roof more than the principal rafters? This might somehow be convoluted, and to indepth for a forum, but if you load the lower arches in compression and have it's previously mentioned tenon butt against the upper arch tenon can this negate some of the tension in the upper arch? Anybody have thoughts on this? Im thinking like Thane. I see a dome or "arch" under there and all of an arch is in compression.


Mike, by the way, we just got 8" of snow this past weekend! HA!
Id also like to see the pic if you have time.