Are You Improperly Specifying Residential Roof Trusses?

The use of manufactured wood products is ubiquitous in residential construction. Metal plate-connected wood trusses are among the most popular manufactured structural elements in homebuilding. These trusses replace conventional rafters and ceiling joists with considerably smaller-sized lumber connected by “web” elements typically made from 2x4s, using metal plate connectors. The top chords, which support the roof sheathing and the bottom chords which support the ceiling, resist gravity loads in compression and tension respectively as a large unit, rather than as individual beams. The result is a stronger and stiffer roof that is also lighter and can be quickly assembled with a crane.

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