Home Board of Directors Regional Members Associate Members Training Manual - Production Industry Events Members Area Contact

En Français



Search Website

Wood Structural Systems
Canada's National Code System
Roles and Responsibilities
Applications
Shapes
Spans
History

Bracing
 Step 1 
 Step 2 
 Step 3 
 Step 4 
 Step 5 
 Step 6 
 Step 7

Materials 
Design
Codes and Standards
Truss Configurations 
Gable Roof 
Girder and Valley
Hip Roof 
Truss Support
Preservative Treatments and Truss Plates
Manufacture 
Quality Control 
Storage 
Handling and Installation
Fire Safety 
Additional Info

 






Shapes
Some of the most common truss shapes are shown below using industry terminology.

Howe These trusses may be simple span, multiple bearing, or cantilevered. Where the truss height exceeds approximately 3m (10'), a piggyback system (see below) may be needed due to transportation restrictions. 

(Height - Width restrictions vary by location for shipping. Also plants can be limited by equipment. Some jobs may be built one piece & shipped with an escort.) 
Fink
Triangular
Mono This shape may be simple span, multiple span, or cantilevered. Top chord bearing is possible.
Inverted The inverted truss is used to provide a vaulted ceiling along a portion of the span.
Cut-off (Bobtail, Stubend) This shape may be used where a triangular truss will not fit. 
Usually stubbed at jogged exterior or at change to vaulted ceiling in opposite direction. 
Dual Slope  This truss provides an asymmetric roof slope. 
Ridge Truss  The ridge truss provides a stepped roof appearance. 
Piggyback 
(Three piece)
The piggyback truss is a combination of a gable end truss on top of a hip truss, which can be transported in two sections. It is used when a single triangular truss is too large to transport. 
Attic  The attic truss provides useable area within the roof space. 
Bottom Chord in centre designed as a floor. 
Flat or Parallel Chord  The flat truss is used in roofs or floors. It may be designed as top or bottom chord bearing, or for simple or multiple spans. It may also be cantilevered at one or both ends. They may be ordered with a built shallow slope to offset deflection and to provide positive drainage when used as a flat roof system. 
Sloping Flat  This shape is used to create a vaulted ceiling. It may be top or bottom chord bearing. 
Double Sloping Chord Flat  This shape is used to provide positive drainage to both sides of the building and is also referred to as a High Heel Common Truss. 
Hip  This shape is used to create hip roofs and is also referred to as a Step up Hip Truss. 
Mansard with Parapets  This truss is used to create a mansard roof profile. 
Cathedral  The cathedral truss provides a vaulted ceiling along one portion of the span. 
Scissor  The scissor truss is used to create a vaulted ceiling along the entire span. The slope of the bottom chord is usually equal to 1/2 of the slope of the top chord. Large scissor trusses are often shipped in two pieces and field spliced. 
Gambrel  This truss is used to create a gambrel or barn-shaped roof profile. 


Canadian Wood Truss Association © 2001-2008