Roof Truss Support Walls

Gable trusses are more expensive than common structural trusses because more lumber is required.

Roof truss support walls.

They do this by means of top chords which are sloping members that extend from the peak of the roof to the top of the exterior walls at the eaves. Nearly all types of trusses used in roofs from kingpost and queenpost to bowstring and cambered possess a central support beam. Roof trusses support a roof s weight by transferring the weight load downward and outward to the building s bearing walls. This means that at the top floor of a house the interior walls may not be supporting the weight of the roof structure and the weight of snow.

Truss roofs are typically designed to use some interior walls as mid span support to save on costs associated with making the truss larger stronger. Usually trusses are put 24 inches apart. As each truss is put up on top of opposite walls it must be put up straight and supported while the next truss is put up. Roof trusses can span much longer distances than joists so if you have a gable roof there is a good chance that it can span between exterior walls and not require an interior bearing wall for support.

A gable truss isn t structural and needs a continuous bearing support underneath such as a beam or wall. By eliminating interior bearing walls trusses also save the cost of interior foundation walls interior partition top plates and headers. Flat the most economical flat truss for a roof is provided when the depth of the truss in inches is approximately equal to 7 of the span in inches. You will need an engineer involved in this since many contractors will tell you anything to get the job.

A gable truss sits on the end wall of a structure and has vertical studs every 2 feet or 16 inches. Elements that make a roof truss bearing. Engineered roof truss systems may be designed to eliminate the need for load bearing walls or change where the bearing walls are located.