Timber trusses are hewn out of the cut logs that are utilised for making trusses for roof structures. Timber trusses are made with aesthetic finishes to offer the best reinforcement services as possible for your roof. Timber trusses that are heavy enough can operate as single beams in a construction project. In most cases, the beams are made thicker for specialised functions by laminating inner pieces with lumber and glue. Various types of wood such as red cedar, yellow pine, and seasoned fir are the most common types used to make timber trusses. The various designs of timber trusses made out of these wood types include queen posts, king posts, scissors, and the parallel bridge. Below is detailed description of the various types.
The King Post Truss
This is a vertical post that joins the middle part of its overlying tie beam to the ridge of rafters. The trusses use angle placed struts as a reinforcement to join the king post with rafters making them closed types of trusses. They are typically the most cost effective trusses and offer a great look when used together with curved webs and braces.
The Pratt Truss
This type of truss has vertical and diagonal members that push downwards to the centre. They work together with the angle struts by connecting them in between and pointing towards direction of the rafters. Diagonals on the interior are under immense tension under the balanced vertical and loading elements of compression. They are among the oldest types of trusses in the construction industry.
The Scissor Truss
These types resemble the king post trusses in construction. The difference comes in where the tie beam is replaced with two members at an angle inclination to join the rafters. The design offers extra height in the mid-section of your room which can be used to make a pitched ceiling system. The scissor truss needs more support at walls as they stretch out with reinforcement of a tie beam. It is an open type of beam and has the natural ability of spreading offering a spacious roof for your rooms.
The Howe Truss
These types resemble the Pratt truss types in terms of construction. They are designed with beams that are fixed with angles on the opposite direction to overlying rafters. They are mostly used in bridge building where metals and parallel types of variants are widely used.
Keep these in mind, if you're trying to decide which type of truss to use.
