Making Roof Trusses
Roof trusses are engineered and manufactured by licensed truss companies. They come to you with stamped plans. If you're thinking of making your own roof trusses do think twice if they are the structural support for your home or other building. Often, local building codes prohibit anyone other than licensed truss companies from making the trusses since they are essential to the home remaining upright. If you're not experienced, you may wish to start learning by making trusses that will not actually act as structural support. If you don't have much experience in this area, taking on such a project can be daunting and dangerous so consider it carefully and consult local building codes before you start out.
Gather Your Materials Before Making Roof Trusses
You'll need timbers, 2 x 4s, galvanized steel truss plates, 1 1/2 inch galvanized screws, 3 inch deck screws, nails, a saw, a hammer, and a level. Once you've got everything and you're ready to start making roof trusses, cut your timbers to the right size. This will depend on your roof and local building codes, which you should be aware of before starting construction. The most common size timbers are 2 x 6s and 2 x 8s.
Getting Started Making Roof Trusses
When making roof trusses, you'll form the shape of the trusses on the ground and then secure them to the roof. First, form a triangle with the timbers and use the galvanized plates to connect them together. Use the 1 1/2 inch screws to make everything secure. Use one of the 2 x 4s to act as a brace between the triangle. You may need to add more support. To do this, add more 2 x 4s below the main support you already added. Angle these supports at 90 degrees toward the top of the truss.
Once you're done making roof trusses on the ground, you can start adding them to the roof framing. You'll need to find out how much overhang to have when securing the trusses to the framing. The overhang is determined by the size of your home and the pitch of the roof. If you're working with an architect, he or she will be able to provide you the right measurements. Once you know that, you can secure the trusses to the framing at two foot intervals with the 3 inch deck screws you purchased.
Not all trusses are wood. Metal trusses are common today, especially in steel frame sheds. Making roof trusses out of metal may require more specialized tools than you need for just wood. If you're framing for a new roof, you can install interlock roofing to make it last longer, including solar roof tiles, which allow you to have attractive roofing that is also environmentally friendly and can help you save money on energy bills.
When making roof trusses be sure you know your local building codes and adhere to strict standards of safety. If you're new to building, start small before aiming to make trusses for structural support. Check your work twice before attempting to add the trusses to the roof framing. And consult with a professional if you're unsure of how to proceed.
