|
TRUSSED ROOF SYSTEMS
Trusses are economical, manufactured systems that are carefully engineered using small wood members connected by flat metal plates with small teeth that are pressed into the wood. A "web" structure of triangles is created which balance tension and compression in the members and can span great distances. Sometimes trusses are built on the job site using plywood and nails instead of the metal plates, but most often they are built in factories according to the design and specifications prepared by licensed engineers. The variety of truss designs are enormous, both in the 'web' design and the styles of roofs that can be created. The design of trusses is best left to professional engineers, but the designer must be aware and account for the truss loads passed to the supporting structural members below. Since the goal of trusses is to span long distances, usually from outside wall to outside wall, the loads generated are often considerable. This will mainly impact window headers as they will receive double (and some-times more) the load generated in conventional construction with interior bearing walls.
|
|
