Ridgeline
A-Frame Structural Inspection
Every joint.
Every seam.
Every truth.
Ridgeline is the only inspector trained specifically in A-frame geometry — the steep cavities, the exposed ridge beams, and the condensation traps that hide behind cathedral ceilings.
Not sure if you need an inspection?
Take the 4-question A-Frame Health Check — get a personalized risk grade in 90 seconds.
Zone 01 — Loft & Collar Ties
Where moisture hides above your head.
The loft of an A-frame sits directly beneath the steepest roof pitch. Collar ties — the horizontal members that prevent the walls from spreading — collect condensation in winter and trap humid air in summer. Most inspectors glance up from the ladder. We crawl into the knee walls.
67%
of A-frame lofts show moisture evidence invisible from below
Hover the + markers on the image to reveal common defects.
Zone 02 — Ridge Cap & Flashing
The apex is the first thing to fail.
At the ridge, two roof planes meet at a steep angle — often 45° to 60°. Factory ridge caps designed for shallow-pitch roofs leave gaps here. Over 10–15 years, thermal cycling works fasteners loose. We probe every inch of the ridge cap and trace water paths through the framing.
43°–62°
typical A-frame pitch — steeper than most ridge caps are rated for
Hover the + markers on the image to reveal common defects.
Zone 03 — Foundation & Settling
A triangle transfers load differently than a box.
The A-frame's structural load travels down the sloped rafters directly to the foundation corners — not through stud walls. This concentrates stress at the bearing points. In mountain terrain, frost heave acts asymmetrically. We measure differential settlement and check every bearing plate.
1-in-8
A-frames show measurable differential settlement after 20 years
Hover the + markers on the image to reveal common defects.
Zone 04 — Cathedral Windows & Seals
Glass at 45° fails in ways flat windows never do.
Large triangular windows and steep clerestory glazing are the defining feature of the A-frame — and its most common maintenance failure. Gravity pulls sealant down the frame over time. Thermal expansion at acute corners cracks the glazing compound. We test every pane, every gasket, every corner.
8–12 yrs
average lifespan of sealant on angled A-frame glazing vs. 20+ on vertical
Hover the + markers on the image to reveal common defects.
A-Frame Health Check
How Healthy Is Your A-Frame?
Four questions. 90 seconds. A personalized risk grade and the inspection scope you actually need.
Question 1 of 4
When was your A-frame built?
Certified Inspector
ASHI · InterNACHI · ICC
Additional coursework: Cold Climate Building Science, ASHRAE moisture dynamics
The Inspector
One inspector.
One structure type.
No generalists.
Most home inspectors spend their careers walking through ranch houses and split-levels. An A-frame is a fundamentally different structural system — and the failure modes are completely different. We built this practice specifically around triangle-geometry buildings.
That means crawling into the 18-inch cavity behind your knee wall. That means knowing the difference between a collar tie and a rafter tie, and why it matters for your specific pitch. That means reading the moisture history of a ridge beam without tearing open the ceiling.
340+
A-frames inspected
12 yrs
A-frame specialization
94%
Issues found on re-inspections
Client Results
Real findings. Real outcomes.
"Our buyer's agent recommended three inspectors. Only Ridgeline knew what a collar tie was without Googling it. The report found deferred flashing work that knocked $14,000 off the purchase price."
Meredith Calloway
First-time A-frame buyer, Lake Tahoe, CA
"We had a mystery drip every March for four years. Two general inspectors said it was "normal settling." Ridgeline found a failed ridge cap transition on the north face in 45 minutes."
Tom & Diane Ostrowski
A-frame owners since 2018, Catskills, NY
"I send every A-frame listing to Ridgeline before I present it to buyers. The pre-listing inspection report has become a competitive differentiator in our mountain market."
Priya Venkataraman
Realtor, Blue Ridge Mountain Properties, VA
Ready to Know
Book an A-Frame Inspection.
Available in mountain, lakeside, and rural markets across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Rocky Mountain regions. Response within 24 hours.
Mountain, lakeside & rural properties · Response within 24 hours · No travel fee within 60 miles