How To Build Cathedral Roof Trusses

Each truss is composed of two opposing rafters and a ceiling joist.

How to build cathedral roof trusses.

Click on the truss to select it and move it so that the exterior edge of the truss is aligned with the exterior edge of the framing layer. It will use the current cost of wooden rafters based on the average price found at home improvement stores. Either scissor trusses or vaulted parallel chord. Fink trusses were originally invented for the purpose of beefing up bridges but many contractors now use them to increase the strength of interior structures.

Contributing editor scott mcbride replies. We waste very little lumber when we build our roof trusses which means we save more on lumber per truss we build. A plain flat ceiling gable is actually a procession of light trusses usually spaced 16 in. These types of trusses are often used to create multilevel roof lines or construct additions to an existing building.

To avoid these problems in a structure with a cathedral ceiling it helps to understand how a typical roof frame works. A dramatic cathedral ceiling makes a strong statement in a home s interior but make sure to follow the best practices to eliminate mold and wood rot while also saving money on lumber and materials. Build a fink truss to bolster a floor roof or deck. In a fink truss the internal joists are arranged in a w shape ensuring even weight distribution from one end to the other.

Select build framing roof truss from the menu. Try doing that with stick framing. But building a cathedral ceiling is not simply a matter of leaving out the ceiling joists and putting drywall on the rafters. For example spray foam insulation helps create an air tight seal that eliminates the need for ridge and soffit venting.

Click and drag to draw a roof truss perpendicular to the ridge line of the roof and ceiling planes. The roof pitch will be 5 12 with a cathedral ceiling at a 2 5 12 slope the overhang will be 2 around the whole house. To create scissor trusses with both the ceiling and roof planes in place you can now create roof trusses. This also allows you to save on lumber by using 2.

Or by setting roof trusses that come engineered from a truss manufacturer with the vaulted space already accounted for. Just as there are many types of roofs with many roof parts there are many different types of roof trusses this extensive article explains through a series of custom truss diagrams the different truss configurations you can use for various roofs. This online truss calculator will determine the all in cost of your truss based on key inputs related to the pitch width and overhang of your roof.