Build your own roof trusses -advice ?

[bearcreek paul]

I built my own trusses last year make a jig and save yourself a lot grief.If you make a fixture you won't have any difference in the size of your trusses,if you don't you will.
I built mine from 2/6/16 ft.It took about 10 days after work at night and they are about all 1 person can handle by themselves.
I went 2 ft on center Osb for the roof and I used shingles.Last winter it had over 2 ft of snow on and no problems,it was a 6/12 pitch.Good luck and enjoy!

 

[beppington]

Lotta guessin' goin on in here, except for schmism.

Without stamped, engineer design drawings, & building them precisely to those drawings, 1) you're at risk of something failing & damaging yours or others' property, & injuring/ killing yourself or others; 2) You have no documents for a codes/ building inspector, if they're ever needed; 3) You have no professional, expert source to get documented answers to the variance questions you're asking (splitting 2x8's, etc).

Most posters in here are guessing based on their experience - That would "probably" result in a sufficient building, but who knows for sure??! It's such a nominal cost to either purchase professionally made trusses with professionally designed and approved engineering drawings, or at least get professionally approved engineering drawings that you can build the trusses from yourself, making sure to ask all the engineer all the money-saving questions you have for incorporation into the design & drawings ... & the pro-made trusses may actually still come out cheaper. And you'd have more time for other things :thumbsup:

 

[milkman636]

As a previous truss engineer...............
...............Id ask the truss manufacture to price out an 8' OC truss instead of a 2' oc truss. you might be surprised to find its cheeper to go that route as there are only 8 required for your 50' building.

Id also inquire at the truss manufacture about putting together a kit for the building including all the purlin material for the roof and for the sideing as well as posts. You may find his price on material for a kit for the complete building (with all materials delivered) is very comparable to what you can buy the materials yourself. you can see significant savesings if he uses a composit posts plating treated material on the bottom and regular material on the top. a 3 ply 2x8 post will be MUCH less expensive than a 6x8 post

This is good advice. When I did my 30x40 with a shingled roof, I got a better deal using 2x6 trusses on 4' centers w/ 2x4 purlins, and 1/2" decking. The barn package suppplier recommended it as a cost saving alternative, and it yielded a higher load rating than the standard 2x4 trusses he was selling. As a bonus the extra spacing makes the trusses much easier to use for overhead storage. I have not noticed any sagging at all in five years.

 

[300UGUY]

I wouldn't even consider building my own trusses. I shopped around, and the cost here was pretty cheap. And unless you have a jig set up, you won't get 2 that look alike.

 

[gabeancounter]

Bearcreek, thanks for the pics. The build looks great. :thumbsup:

I will get some additional pricing on the trusses. I don't understand what has changed over the last 20 years that now require newly engineered stamped, dense grade wood to build a truss. These plans have worked for decades.

Was there a rash of roof collapses in the past? Has anyone built there own and had a problem with every truss being different sizes? Any pics of these issues? We built our own 16' trusses 25 years ago off a basic design and never had any issues.

 

[beppington]

Bearcreek, thanks for the pics. The build looks great. :thumbsup:

I will get some additional pricing on the trusses. I don't understand what has changed over the last 20 years that now require newly engineered stamped, dense grade wood to build a truss. These plans have worked for decades.

Was there a rash of roof collapses in the past? Has anyone built there own and had a problem with every truss being different sizes? Any pics of these issues? We built our own 16' trusses 25 years ago off a basic design and never had any issues.

Hurricanes, tornadoes & earth quakes happened ... & insurance companies don't like having to pay out money

 

[gabeancounter]

Hurricanes, tornadoes & earth quakes happened ... & insurance companies don't like having to pay out money

I searched before I posted for pole barn collapses. There were several that occured recently and all I seen was manufactured trusses. I understand what you are trying to relay, and I could not find any information about insurance non-payment for diy trusses.
Pole Barn Collapse | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
The Search begins | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Verticaltrx]

As mentioned before, buy commercial trusses designed for 8' centers and be done with it. I build a lot of barns and I'm done with 2' center trusses. They are built with such shoddy lumber nowadays it's hard to keep them from twisting and warping, even after being fully braced. Then you end up with an uneven roof surface.

The 8' OC trusses are much more substantial and less likely to warp in my experience. They are also a lot quicker to go up and make for a sturdier building IMO. Don't waste your time trying to build them, when you add up all you need and factor in even a small wage for your time you won't be money ahead.

 

[MarkV]

As mentioned before, buy commercial trusses designed for 8' centers and be done with it. I build a lot of barns and I'm done with 2' center trusses. They are built with such shoddy lumber nowadays it's hard to keep them from twisting and warping, even after being fully braced. Then you end up with an uneven roof surface.

The 8' OC trusses are much more substantial and less likely to warp in my experience. They are also a lot quicker to go up and make for a sturdier building IMO. Don't waste your time trying to build them, when you add up all you need and factor in even a small wage for your time you won't be money ahead.

Your not suggesting he use trusses 8' on center for a roof that is going to get asphalt shingles are you?

MarkV

 

[massey990]

I don't understand what has changed over the last 20 years that now require newly engineered stamped, dense grade wood to build a truss

Building codes have existed a lot longer than 20 years and they are updated based on engineering standards. If you were building under the 'Southern Standard Building Code' and were financing the structure through a bank etc., they would require engineered trusses and you would not even be issued a permit until said engineering was submitted and approved.
In municipalities that use strict enforcement of building codes certified engineering (stampmed documents) is required to reamain on the jobsite attached to the permit.

That said, if you are not required to have a permit and or inspections you can build whatever you want using any method you want. However if you intend to insure the structure I would suggest checking with your agent and make sure there would not be any ramifications down the road.