How To Attach Roof Trusses To Wall

Some building codes around the country require the use of a hurricane tie also shown above to add extra reinforcement for holding down roof trusses in the event of very strong winds.

How to attach roof trusses to wall. Roof trusses are prefabricated wooden roof members that combine the rafter and ceiling joists of conventional framing into one structural piece. Install the second truss in the same way 24 inches along the wall from the first truss. The porch roof may match the pitch of your home or have a more shallow roof pitch. Use screws to secure the rafter to the sill plate.

After setting the second truss in the same manner workers attach a ridge beam to the peak of both trusses. Use bracing to keep the trusses in place as you work your way across. Nail a long 2 by 4 to the underside of the rafter on the opposite side of the truss from your diagonal brace so that it extends along the length of the roof passing through the second truss. The ledger is needed to properly attach the perpendicular roof trusses to the top of the structure.

Walls that are constructed of concrete block that need to be covered with a roof will require the use of a ledger. The positioning of your rafters will depend on the pitch of the porch roof. Joist hangers can help you mount each rafter to the house. A ledger is a horizontal board that is attached to the top of the wall.

After attaching your truss make sure it is plumb before proceeding to the second one. Another great way of attaching the truss end to the top wall plate is to use a simpson fastener shown in the picture above which you can find at your local lumber store. If you decide on a shallow pitch porch roof use 2 by 6 foot rafters.