I would say technically no, since not all post and beam construction has a ridge beam at the peak of the roof. Among houses owned by family the 1810 log house did not, the 1830s attic did not and my current 1965 which has an exposed rafter ceiling does not have a ridge beam, although my rafters are collar tied.

These are Fypon, so purely decorative, no ridge beam.

How do you plan to light this room?

Do you plan to install a ceiling fan or chandelier?

The answers to these questions will help determine if you should have a ridge beam. IMO the rooms don't look correct without them.

Thanks for your comment, Beverly! No, we do not plan ri have a chandlier or ceiling fan.

juat pot lights and floor/tabketable lamps.

Thanks Mark Bischak, for the input!

IMO pot lightis in a vaulted ceiling are close to useless and I do agree fake beams are best when they are placed as if they are part of the structure and any where else always looks bad

I don't think you need a center beam. But I do think the ones posted above seem like they are missing something without it.

Thanks for that!

That is so weird. When I looked at the Fypon picture, my stomach flipped. Then Mark explained it! So I can testify that it causes some people to feel very uneasy!

Yes, dizzying effects looking at some of those pics.

I'm glad I have a 21" i-beam holding up our 4 x 10" doug fir rafters! That picture made me uneasy as well!

A little more rustic.

2018-9 Tahoe Craftsman in Folsom Completion · More Info

These are box beams built under a truss roof.

To illustrate in more detail of what "making it look like actual structure" means, having the beams (rafters) disect a window or opening, or compete with soffits is usually a bad look and calls attention to it's 'fauxness.' In your case, you have the 2 windows, the inset cove, the entry area, and don't know what's on the other side of room. Here I just tried to count equal truss spaces in a pattern that avoided the windows and stuff, I hope you get the idea and can find a spacing that works to look like real structure and also has proportionate spacing in relation to the overall feel of the space and ceiling height.

Thank you i like that idea!