Roof Trusses

Roof trusses are the predominant industry standard method for building roofs. A roof truss is a load carrying, spanning member made of wood components (usually 2x material), connected together with metal plates, shear connectors, etc. Used together with other trusses, often spaced at 24" on centers, the roof loads are carried out to the walls efficiently. Trusses are designed as a package, fabricated according to state laws and engineered as part of their manufacture. ("engineering" means that loads applied to the trusses and resulting stresses in the materials are analyzed and components sized to carry the required loads for the specific span and truss shape. This is typically done under the supervision of a state-licensed engineer or architect.) As this is an industry wide accepted practice, it is not necessary to to have the drawings for the garage stamped by an engineer. The roof system is treated as a distinct, pre-engineered component of the whole building structure and engineer stamped/signed documentation usually comes with the truss package.

Trusses are almost unlimited in possibilities for shape. Attic storage, gambrel, and attic loft truss profiles are becoming popular due to the economy of structure.

Our garage plans typically include a roof framing (layout) plan and cross-section view which illustrate the recommended truss profile, as a basis for the truss engineering and manufacture by the supplier/fabricator. Usually, when ordering trusses through your materials supplier or setting up your project with your builder, you can request adjustments to the profile shown (to match and existing house, for example)

It's always best to check with your local building dept. BEFORE modifying the plans, as some do not allow it.