Become familiar with the components that make up a residential roof truss
Key Components Of Residential Trusses Used
In Omaha, NE Roof Systems
Learn More About The Key Parts That Make
Up Your Residential Roof Truss
While you may not be a roofer, knowing the key components used to build residential trusses in Omaha, NE is important.
Understanding how each part of a truss supports a roof can help you pick the right design and materials to ensure your truss withstands age and the elements.
Many parts go into making a truss, so you may need some guidance to understand it all.
That said, our team at North Country Lumber & Truss wants to introduce you to the key pieces of a residential roof truss so you’re better equipped to discuss your truss design with a contractor.
The Triangular Part Of A Residential Truss:
Chords, Webs, and More In Omaha, NE
Several components make up the triangle shape of a truss – primarily the chords and the webs.
Let’s take a standard truss design, such as a king post truss. This truss type typically consists of two top chords, a bottom chord, a vertical post at the center, and two webbing chords.
First, you have your top chords. These pieces meet together over the top of the vertical post – inclined on either side to form the peak of your roof.
The bottom cord, the horizontal piece of lumber at the bottom of the truss, forms its foundation.
Finally, there are the webbing chords, also known as webs. These inclined pieces of lumber are connected to the top and bottom chords and attached at an incline on either side of the vertical post.
The Strength Of A Residential Truss: Bearings
Bred To Bear The Weight In Omaha,NE
Bearings play a very important role in truss construction. As the name suggests, they help support the weight of the loads from the top of the truss framework.
That means a bearing must be strong enough to support any loads transferred from the trusses. If it’s not, this can result in issues like cracked sheetrock or a dip in the ceiling.
Therefore, you must ensure that you use the right materials for a bearing before incorporating it into your truss.
Bearings are often made from beams, ledgers, or posts, so durable, high-quality lumber should always be used in construction. At North Country Lumber & Truss, timber is the best type of lumber for bearings, so we offer it as a basic option to all homeowners.
A Heel In Your Residential Truss In Omaha, NE:
The Overhang You Didn’t Know You Needed
Ever wonder about that small part of the roof that hangs over your front door? That’s what we call a truss heel. This is the end of the truss that looms over the outer wall of your home.
Most truss heels typically consist of a ¼ butt cut and the slanted height of the top chord. Its measurement usually varies based on the type of top cord material and the pitch of the truss.
So, with more pitch, the material you use will need to be wider–making your heel higher.
This can work to your advantage. A raised heel increases the roof plane over the outer bearing wall, allowing for more ventilation and insulation.
In the roofing industry, we refer to it as an energy heel because it helps with heating and cooling, making your home more energy efficient.
Truss Plates Are What Keep A Residential
Truss Together In Omaha, NE
A residential truss is nothing without truss plates.
These rectangular or square construction plates fasten the webs and chords together. They are designed to transfer the weight from the wood to other truss parts. If they are not properly placed, the entire framework can fall apart.
Thanks to their square-ish shape, truss plates can be shifted and rotated in several ways to increase their holding capacity.
This is a bonus when utilizing different types of trusses in your roof design, as it makes it easier to connect your webs and cords at unique angles.
Cantilevers Are Standard For Your
Residential Truss in Omaha, NE
A cantilever is the part of the truss that hangs over the home’s bearing wall — standing beyond the support of the chords. You’ve probably seen a cantilever in a porch where a post and beam bearing were used to prop up the overhang.
At first glance, the cantilever may seem like nothing more than a part of the truss design that provides shade when you stand outside your door on a sunny day.
However, the cantilever accounts for ⅓ of the truss’s overall size, so it is a major part of the roofing system.
Although a cantilever is included in most standard roof designs, there are some exceptions when building roofs without an overhang – such as a hip roof or a flat roof.
Why A Wedge Is Essential For Your
Residential Truss In Omaha, NE
A wedge is a piece of lumber inserted between the top and bottom chords near the heel of a truss. This helps plate the heel joint and transfer weight from the chords to the bearings, holding your roof in place so your truss can have a cantilever.
Wedges are made from various widths of lumber. Truss builders often use them to help them find the best plating option for the heel joint. Sometimes, contractors use chord sliders or reinforcing webs to support the cantilever.
Of course, if you need help designing the ideal truss for your roof, you can always talk to our truss experts at North Country Lumber & Truss.
Since 1998, we’ve provided residents in the Midwest and Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska with the best lumber and truss services for their homes – offering premium customer service and superior craftsmanship.
We can meet your needs whether you need truss design, construction, or delivery.
free quote So, if you want the best lumber and a reliable contractor for your residential truss in Omaha, NE, contact North Country Lumber & Truss at (816) 449-5778 for a free quote today.