If you’re building your house, the phrase “roof truss” might not be strange at all. They resemble a supporting design lifting the whole weight of your roof. But do you know how many types of roof trusses there are? We bet most don’t.
In today’s article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this helpful structure. Keep on reading!
7 Popular Types Of Roof Trusses
Typically, we can categorize roof trusses into two main types: flat roof trusses and pitched roof trusses. However, today we’ll go even deeper and classify them into eight different varieties to help you further understand the use of each one.
King post truss
If your spans are limited (from 5 to 8 meters), a king post truss is the ideal option. This truss structure is prevalent in lifting extensive roofs such as those in garages or barns. What makes it even more famous is the overall aesthetic.
As these trusses appear minimalistic with simple lines and narrow bridges, they enhance the initial design of the house. Also, aircraft construction utilizes its design. On airplanes, king post trusses carry the cords and lift the plane’s wings.
Queen post truss
The main difference between a queen-post truss and a king-post truss is that queen-post trusses possess two wooden poles to support the whole frame. These poles are queen posts.
For those whose span is in the range of 8 to 12 meters, feel free to consider the queen post truss. While the king post has to handle the roof’s weight by itself, the queen post divides the overall weight equally on two poles. Thanks to this design, this type of truss are clear-cut and more lightweight.
Mono-pitch truss
Using a mono-pitch truss is perfect for those who wish to find a suitable truss for their one-sided (or lean-to) roofs.
Double pitch profile truss
If you’re looking for a kind of truss that is both symmetrical and asymmetrical, the double-pitch profile truss is the right one. As its design is more complicated than others, it is popular in commercial buildings or houses with particular roof specifications.
Fink truss
Initially, the basic design of fink trusses is a combination of V-shaped webs. You can see that the top chords angle down from the center, making a small V as well. Fink trusses usually depend on straight-side frames, and thus, they transfer the weight’s loads efficiently to other pillars.
Variants of fink trusses are double fink ones and fan truss ones:
- Double fink: Unlike the V-shaped pattern of the original fink, the double fink utilizes the W-shaped webs to better support the roof.
- Fan: The main difference between these two structures is that the original webs of fink trusses now spread out from the bottom joints in a fan shape.
Vaulted truss
A vaulted truss will provide you with a unique roof design. If you’re all about cathedral ceilings, this truss structure will not let you down.
Raised tie truss
In case you love a vaulted ceiling but are too exhausted to adjust the scissor trusses, raised tie truss is what you need. Its bottom chords go up to set up a flat surface for your vaulted ceiling.
4 Steps To Determine The Suitable Truss For Your House
Finding the perfect truss for your house might need a little calculation. Please follow the steps above to see which truss should you use:
- First, figure out your roof’s shape and other specifications like the truss’ span, the loads, etc. Feel free to refer to the product’s information (if you decide to buy pre-made trusses) for more information.
- Then, select your favorite trusses while calculating the ideal span that suits your design the most.
- After that, measure your design and compare it with the chosen truss’ span. If the numbers don’t match, follow the equation below to adjust the new distance (A’):
New distance A’ = (span of the standard truss)²(design span)²x (standard distance between trusses A)
- Finally, calculate the roof’s load in your design and compare it with a load of your favorite truss. If the numbers don’t match, calculate a new distance (A’) to match the loads:
Truss new distance A’ = load of standard design loads (standard distance between trusses A)
Roof Rafters Vs. Trusses: Which Should You Choose?
Most people cannot tell the differences between rafters and trusses. Now, we’ll help you tell them apart based on their specific uses.
You would want to utilize trusses in cases that:
- It’s easy to access your area.
- You don’t like having an attic space.
- You want a standard vaulted ceiling.
- You want to minimize the design’s cost.
Meanwhile, rafters would be best in these situations:
- You wish to have an optimal living space.
- You like a vaulted ceiling that is only a bit inclining.
- It’s hard to access your building area.
Conclusion
That’s everything we have for you today. We bet our post has explained the eight most common types of trusses in detail. What are you waiting for? Get yourself the perfect truss for a spectacular roof.
