Before ordering roof trusses several options must be considered and decided upon before placing the order. These options include type, number, span, pitch, heel height (height above plate), load, bearing width, and ceiling type of roof trusses.

• Type - What type of truss do you want on the building? Common gable truss, hip, gambrel, bowstring, scissor, and etc.
• Number - How many of each type of truss are needed for this particular building.
• Span - Distance between outside walls or bearing points where the trusses will be placed.
• Pitch - What will the pitch of the roof be 6/12, 8/12, etc.
• Height Above Plate - What is the desired heel height above the wall plates at the outside edge of the building? Would you rather used a raised heel truss to accommodate more insulation?
• Load - What are the required live, dead, and wind speed load requirements in your area? These questions can be answered by your local building inspector.
• Bearing Width - How wide are the bearing walls or beams where the roof trusses are to sit?
• Ceiling Type - What type of ceiling is required in each room? Cathedral, vaulted, barrel, etc.

• Tips for Roof Trusses

  Allow plenty of lead time, it can take anywhere from two to eight weeks before the trusses will be delivered.

  Don't deviate from the plan, if you change the dimensions on the building after the roof trusses are built you will be out of luck.

  Trusses can be very heavy and awkward to handle, to minimize the danger to yourself and employees consider using an all terrain fork lift or small crane to set them.

  Adequate temporary bracing should be available and correctly installed. If trusses fall over they usually go like dominos, not a pretty sight.
  

  Links to Related Carpentry Pro Framer Pages

  Ordering Roof Trusses to Home

  Installing Trusses
  

  Types of Roof Trusses

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