Trusses are beams, or other pieces of steel or wood, that help create a structure like the base of the roof of a house or other building. This item is used daily in the construction industry and has become more advanced over the years. This is great news, because it means buildings and homes are stronger than ever.
Most trusses are shaped like triangles or pyramids. The triangle-shaped ones are quite stable, due to the measurement of the angles and the length of the sides of the leg pieces. Pyramid trusses are not used that often, but you will see some construction companies using them for certain projects.
Types of trusses
Flat
Flat trusses are designed as top-chord or bottom-chord support and can be used for single and multiple spans. A flat truss is not actually flat because it slopes slightly to prevent water from pooling on the roof. This is important because if water builds up, the roof could collapse or be damaged. Although this is a very common type of truss, it is not as efficient as many of the other types because the tension in the webs can be greater.
Gambrel
A gambrel truss looks like a barn roof and has two top chords, one of which is longer than the other. This is the type of truss that is used when you want a living or storage space underneath. You can also include large windows for rooms under this type of roof frame.
Bowstring
Rope trusses are often massive and arched, but they support the weight of large buildings wonderfully. Rope trusses are normally used in buildings such as aircraft hangars and warehouses, basically those that require a lot of internal space. Many rafters create the arch and any water that falls on the roof simply runs off, due to the shape of the truss.
Pair
A double pitch truss is a triangular truss, making this one of the more conventional truss designs. Two sides are angled to the apex and attached to the horizontal beam below to create the triangle shape.
King Post Truss
A main post truss can be constructed from wood or a combination of wood and steel, and it just depends on the type of construction it is intended for and the materials that will be used.
Queen Post Truss
The queen post truss is one of the most versatile trusses in use in the construction industry, meaning you can use it on almost any type of building you are working on.
5 reasons to use a trellis
You can avoid trusses in many scenarios, but you should realize that there are many reasons why you should use them. Some of our favorites include:
- Less experienced workers can install trusses, which will save you money since you won't need to hire more experienced workers to install a different type of roof suspension system.
- Certain designs will allow you to have fewer load-bearing interior walls, which creates larger open spaces that many people love.
- You can save a lot of money on materials when using a truss because you can choose lighter materials that cost much less for the rest of the construction.
- You can insulate the trusses in just one day, which saves you money in the long run.
- Trusses can be constructed off-site and then delivered to the job site and installed using a crane. This saves time on the job site and makes the main part of the roof movement much faster.
Construction Trusses
A design layout is necessary before beginning to build a truss and these designs can be sketched by an architect or designed using software. Once you complete this, you must gather all the necessary materials.
Basic materials include lumber, hammers, saws, truss plates, and galvanized screws. It is imperative that you cut the wood so that it matches the specifications of the project you are working from.
Of course, the wood you use must also meet current standards in the place where you are constructing the building. Most often, 2×6 and 2×8 are used, but you may need to choose a different size depending on the weight and size of the roof and the requirements you need to work with.
When you attach the galvanized steel connector plates, these pieces create a triangle that you hold in place with the galvanized screws.
If you choose to build trusses with a material other than wood, you have a few options. These options include tin, aluminum, and steel. You must still make sure these materials are cut to your project specifications.
Factors to Consider with Trusses
When you're trying to decide on the best type of truss to use on the building you're building, you need to base your decision on more than the appearance of the one you love most. If you are unsure which type will support the weight of the roof, consult an experienced truss designer, architect or engineer. They can tell you exactly which option will best suit your needs.
If you want to create different sized spaces under the trusses, you can also use different truss designs on different parts of the buildings. This will allow you to personalize each environment and still have the stability and durability you need.
Trusses are an important part of any building, which is why it's so important that you know a lot about the different types and how they work. Without trusses, roofs would not stay in place and the rest of the building could be damaged much more easily.
It's true that there are other roof suspension systems that you can use instead of trusses, but they can be more difficult to install for many people and can also take much longer to install. This is why we continue to recommend roof trusses in the construction of any type of building.
