How To Measure For A Roof Truss

Set two ladders at each end of the area to be measured.

How to measure for a roof truss.

It will use the current cost of wooden rafters based on the average price found at home improvement stores. Use a level square and measuring tape. Calculate the height of a common truss using the building width and the slope of the roof. Trusses can be constructed with smaller sized lumber than rafters and often their cost is not significantly higher than normal rafters.

Be sure the tape measure is parallel to the bottom chord when measuring. Equation a2 b2 c2. Hammer a nail in place to hook your measuring tape and space out the subsequent trusses every 2 feet or other designated spacing. Depending on your roof slope add 4 to 5 inches for heel height.

If this distance measures 4 inches you have a 4 in 12 pitch. How to measure roof trusses. Trusses are generally secured 24. Position the truss on the floor with the bottom chord near you and the king post on the right.

Hook your tape measure on the king post to make marks at 2 feet 10 1 2 inches and 5 feet 9 inches on both the top and bottom chords. Divide the length of the roof by two to determine how many trusses are needed. Flat the most economical flat truss for a roof is provided when the depth of the truss in inches is approximately equal to 7 of the span in inches. Pull a tape measure along the top plate of the house to determine the length of.

Already having the rise will make it easy to determine the rafter length by loading the numbers into the equation chart. Most economical when the difference in slope between the top and bottom chords is at least 3 12 or the bottom chord pitch is no more than half the top chord pitch. For example a roof with a span of 20 ft and a rise of 7 feet needs rafters that are the square root of 400 49 21 2 feet. Measure out 5 to 6 trusses at a time.

Pitch measurement method 1 1. C rafter length. On a ladder beside the roof place the level a foot or so up the roof hold it level and measure from the 12 inch mark on the level s bottom straight down to the roof. If you can t get the heel height most residential trusses will have a 3 top cord.

8 inches and you have an 8 in 12 pitch.