Roof Truss Types & Configurations
Truss Terms: The terms below are typically used to describe the various parts of a metal plate connected wood truss. The truss profile, span, heel height, overall height, overhang and web configuration depend on the specific design conditions and will vary by application.
Types of 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.
