Your Guide to Roof Truss Types
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Your Guide to Roof Truss Types

By November 7, 2020 February 22nd, 2021 No Comments

If you were to ask someone on the street what roofs are made of, they would probably say “shingles.” While it is technically correct that shingles are a part of any roof, there is so much more going on underneath those shingles. For instance, something has to be holding those shingles up in the first place. That is where roof trusses come in. Trusses are wooden frames that support the roof and keep it in place. Here are some examples of different roof trusses.

Dual Pitched

Trusses are almost always triangular shaped, fitting into the peak of a roof. The struts slant down from the top in the interior of the triangle, giving it more strength. With dual pitched trusses, those struts are different lengths, allowing for more space for support.

Bowstring

A bowstring truss is an arch, as opposed to a triangle. These trusses are used in larger buildings like warehouses and hangars with a lot of open space. The same design elements are often used for bridges. Because of the arch design, water will flow easily off of these roofs.

Gambrel

If you have seen the inside of a barn, then there is a good chance you have seen a gambrel truss. Like dual pitched trusses, gambrel trusses have struts of different lengths that converge at the apex. These struts are steep, which means there is more space. This design is what creates the space for a hayloft. In homes, this can provide more space for storage in the attic, or even an upper floor. One of the best benefits is that it can allow for larger windows to be installed, which means you can have a brighter upstairs space, whether it is storage or living space.

Scissor

It should be obvious where a scissor truss gets its name from. This design looks like a pair of scissors. The top struts rest on the bottom struts, and the bottom struts must be firmly affixed to the bottom joint. This is where the strength for support comes from.

The type of truss you use for your roof will depend on what type of structure is being built, and for what purpose. Consult a roofing professional to help decide what is right for you.

If you have questions about roofing, do not hesitate to contact Central Roofing Company™ online or by calling 763-572-0660

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If you were to ask someone on the street what roofs are made of, they would probably say “shingles.” While it is technically correct that shingles are a part of any roof, there is so much more going on underneath those shingles. For instance, something has to be holding those shingles up in the first place. That is where roof trusses come in. Trusses are wooden frames that support the roof and keep it in place. Here are some examples of different roof trusses.

Dual Pitched

Trusses are almost always triangular shaped, fitting into the peak of a roof. The struts slant down from the top in the interior of the triangle, giving it more strength. With dual pitched trusses, those struts are different lengths, allowing for more space for support.

Bowstring

A bowstring truss is an arch, as opposed to a triangle. These trusses are used in larger buildings like warehouses and hangars with a lot of open space. The same design elements are often used for bridges. Because of the arch design, water will flow easily off of these roofs.

Gambrel

If you have seen the inside of a barn, then there is a good chance you have seen a gambrel truss. Like dual pitched trusses, gambrel trusses have struts of different lengths that converge at the apex. These struts are steep, which means there is more space. This design is what creates the space for a hayloft. In homes, this can provide more space for storage in the attic, or even an upper floor. One of the best benefits is that it can allow for larger windows to be installed, which means you can have a brighter upstairs space, whether it is storage or living space.

Scissor

It should be obvious where a scissor truss gets its name from. This design looks like a pair of scissors. The top struts rest on the bottom struts, and the bottom struts must be firmly affixed to the bottom joint. This is where the strength for support comes from.

The type of truss you use for your roof will depend on what type of structure is being built, and for what purpose. Consult a roofing professional to help decide what is right for you.

If you have questions about roofing, do not hesitate to contact Central Roofing Company™ online or by calling 763-572-0660