The Many Shapes of Roof Trusses–Gables

There are many different shapes and styles of roof trusses, and what you choose will depend on your specific building needs.  Some shapes are more suitable for certain applications than others.  You will also want to choose your roof trusses based on the look you want for your structure. 

It can be difficult to choose the right truss type for your build, so here is some information to help you. 

Gables–The Most Common Type of Truss 

The most common type of truss available is the gable truss.  Gables are traditional triangular trusses that include a certain number of webbing members or central posts.  The number and direction of the central webbing member will determine the particular type of gable truss you are using.  Gable roofs, also known as peaked or pitched roofs, are the most common in American construction, offering a cost effective alternative to more elaborate construction.

• King Post. A king post truss is one of the simplest forms of gable truss, consisting only of a triangle with a central post holding up the apex of the shape.  This simple truss is useful when you simply need to hold up light roofing material, as with a shed or other small structure.  It is not suitable for most housing projects, although variations can be built that will hold more load.  The advantage of the king post truss for smaller buildings is that it is relatively inexpensive, using far fewer materials than other types of trusses.
• Queen Post. A queen post truss is similar to the king post, but adds additional members between the king post and the outer edges of the truss.  This provides much more support, so the queen post truss can hold a larger load.than simple king post trusses.
• Howe and Double Howe. The howe and double howe trusses are similar to the queen post in that they employ a central king post structure, but instead of a single central member on each side, the members are supported by smaller members that lie parallel to the king post.  This configuration offers durability and strength, and also allows the truss to stand up to torsion from wind. 
• Fink and Double Fink. The fink and double fink trusses are different from the king post, queen post and howe models in that they use angled members across the span of the truss rather than building off a central king post.  This allows the trusses to have incredible flexibility in all directions, and makes them a good choice for applications in which high winds may be an issue.

If you are looking for the right trusses for your building project, look no further.  Stone Truss has been creating quality roofing truss products for decades for builders throughout the San Diego area.  Give us a call today to discuss your truss roofing needs with one of our professionals, and see how much we can help you save time and money on your next building project!