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Length, Width, Pitch, Overhang and Spacing
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What Do I do if I don’t know the pitch?
Get in the attic and measure from top of peak
to bottom of ceiling joist.
This is called the rise. Then give us the width of your trusses and we can
figure pitch.
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Is there any other way to determine pitch?
Yes, take 2' or 4' level, put on end on slope of roof and level out your level. Take a tape measure and measure from roof up to level. For example: With a 4' level, you had 16" between level and roof; divide by 4 = 4 or 4/12 pitch 2' level (level would be 8 divide by 2 = 4.
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What if I have a set of plans?
Fine, bring them by or send them and we can draw it out, Engineer them and give you a price. At Edwards Truss, Inc., we can even show you how your plans will look in 3-D.
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What if I draw my own plans?
Fine, bring them by; we’ll work with you on your roof design, pitch, overhang, etc. If you’re not sure what you want we can help.
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What if I wanted standard pitch and overhang?
It would be 4/12 or 5/12 pitch with a 16" O-H.
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Does different pitches have different strengths?
Yes, 1/12 is a weak pitch. The higher you go, the stronger your roof system is.
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Do I have to brace the trusses after installation?
Yes, lateral bracing is most always needed except on short runs and other types of bracing are most often required for safety purposes.
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What other types of bracing is needed?
Vertical, horizontal and diagonal bracing is in most cases required.
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What types of bracing do you ,the manufacturer, require?
Lateral bracing, but first you should secure your first truss with temporary bracing to prevent accidents and domino effect on trusses. Always consult a structural engineer on different types of bracing for temporary and permanent bracing.
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Does your company insure your products?
Yes, we have product liability insurance on all of our products.
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How do I know that the span or length of truss will hold up under normal snow and wind loads?
All Trusses are designed with a 20
lb. Live load, 10 lb dead load on top cord or rafter/ no
live load on bottom cord, 10 lbs. dead load on bottom chord of ceiling joist.
All are engineered in house and if needed, we can have an Engineer to check
the particular truss and put his seal on the drawing if needed or required in
all 50 states.
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If I am adding on to my present house and I don’t know what I need how do I order?
You need to get a contractor or home builder to look at it and tell you what’s needed. Some do it for free and some may require a small fee. If it is close to our plant, we will send someone out to look at it. In most cases, we need HEEL HEIGHT (height at wall), WIDTH (span of trusses), RISE (dimension from peak of rafter to bottom of ceiling) and how many trusses needed.
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Why do some people call trusses rafters?
Trusses are rafters in a way but not all of it. Trusses make up a complete roof, thus meaning all trusses have to work together to make a complete system. Here are a few truss terms: Rafters: Top chord of truss or a field cut top chord, Ceiling Joist: bottom chord, Brace: web in a truss.
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Can I cut out parts of a truss?
NEVER... Without first contracting the
truss manufacturer to get
a rework drawing to show how to repair or do the field work.
Trusses are supposed to carry their load from outside wall to
outside wall. When you cut on a truss, you weaken it and put
pressure on other members, thus causing a sag in your roof or ceiling.
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When pricing trusses, never think of it as just
a roof frame.
Different manufactures will price trusses with less bracing
that will hold but there is no guarantee your ceiling or roof
will not swag a little between web or brace joints.
Always ask what’s the difference.
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Your Floor Trusses: How do they compare?
Floor trusses will always cost more than conventional framing but you have to post beams, etc. to hold this system up. If you figured handling, sawing, labor, nails, beams, etc. they will be close. Over basements they work fine. Your heat system (duct work), plumbing, wiring, etc. can run thru the open web. In a conventional system you have to build down to hide all of this. Remember never to cut a floor truss or one of it’s components without first calling. Also remember, Floor Truss systems over clear span basements do not require interior column or beam supports which allows for wide open spaces for living or work areas. We only build clear span floor trusses up to 30 ft.
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What CENTERS do trusses have to be on?
It varies with span and load or your
preference. Here are Centers
most commonly used: 16 inches, 19 3/16 inches or 19.2 inches as commonly
called or 24inches or can be on 12 inch centers but not common.
Trusses for agriculture uses can be on 3 ft., 4 ft, 5 ft. or 8 ft. if span will
allow.
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Do you build roof trusses with storage space or room built into them?
Yes these are called attic trusses or garage trusses by some people. This is a great way to get extra space for a small extra charge compared to extra built space.
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What if I have a question that is not listed above?
Call us during work hours (7:00 AM to 6 PM)
Monday thru Friday,
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays at (205-921-9607) from anywhere.
Our incoming 800 # is for Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama customers only.
Feel free to send us an email as well to: help@edwardstruss.com
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