Types of Building (Roof) Trusses

There are two basic types of trusses. The pitched or common truss is characterized by its triangular shape. It is most often used for roof construction. Some common trusses are named according to their web configuration, such as the King Post, Fan, Fink or Howe truss. The chord size and web configuration are determined by span, load and spacing. All truss designs are optimized to provide the most economical application. The parallel chord truss or flat truss gets its name from having parallel top and bottom chords. This type is often used for floor construction.

Truss Configurations
The following examples represent some of the possible variations on the basic types of trusses. The only limit to the design is your imagination.

Truss Uses
Regular (Common) Truss - The most affordable and widely used truss design in residential and pole building industry. Scissor Truss - Due to sloped bottom chord, this truss provides more headroom on first level. Provides cathedral ceiling. Cambered Truss - Provides extra first level headroom and flat ceiling in mid-section. Dual Pitch Truss - Top chords are built with two different roof slopes, with a front slope usually steeper than back slope. Monopitch Truss - May be used to build overhangs, single sloped roofs or longerspan Common truss with center support. Gambrel Truss - Used mainly for its style to resemble a "barn look". May also be built with storage attic. Cathedral Truss - Also know as Vault truss is used to provide a Vaulted ceiling. Studio Truss (Studio Vault) - Used to provide an extra headroom or a Vaulted ceiling in certain application. Polynesian Truss - Has a dual pitch top chord where the slope significantly increases from the heel to the peak. Inverted Truss - Requires two bearing supports and is often used to build a Double Inverted Truss with Vaulted ceiling. Flat Truss - Has two parallel chords and is used to build a floor or a roof. Bowstring Truss - Is used where curved roof surface is required and is built with short top chord segments. Attic Truss - Is used to provide storage space up in the attic. Bottom chord of the room floor is built with heavier timber and is designed as a floor joist to carry required live loads.

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