Common Truss Types

Cut-Off (Bobtail)

Used as a Chimney Split Truss or where building plans dictate that a symmetrical truss will not fit. This is ideally suited for an offset wing of a split level building.

Mono

Used for single slope roofs. These trusses are widely used for industrial and commercial applications. It can also be used for shed or porch roof construction.

Scissors

Architects use this truss to create a vaulted ceiling effect. Applications include residential, church and commercial projects. These trusses are usually designed with the bottom chord slope equal to 1/2 the top chord slope.

Base

These trusses are as practical as Common trusses. They provide for easy to install Hip roof systems, this saving many hours of cutting and erection.

Gable End or Piggyback

These are not trusses in the true sense as they are not designed to clear span. They are not triangulated and must be supported along the entire length of the bottom chord.

Piggyback trusses are basically filler trusses to fill in a roof space at “T” roof junctions. When supported on the end wall of a building they are called “Gable Ends”.

Piggyback

Whenever the overall height of a truss exceeds about 10′; transporting it by road may exceed the allowable height restrictions.

In these cases a combination of a Base truss and a Piggyback truss is used to make a Truss which can be transported in two sections. The Hip Truss is designed to carry the roof load and the Jack is supported by the Hip Truss to create the desired roof shape.

Attic

These trusses are desirable because a useable area can be created within the roof framing. Often used in residential applications for additional living space.

Jack

short trusses used to frame the end of a Hip roof system. Jacks usually are supported by the Hip Girder Truss. In turn, the Jacks provide lateral restraint for the Hip Girder top and bottom chords.