How to Add on Prefab Trusses

Prefab trusses afford the builder the opportunity to speed up the framing of a job by installing prebuilt roof framing rather than building each individual piece. These trusses are purchased in numbers from a manufacturer who will deliver them to your job site. They are constructed from 2-by-4-inch lumber connected by truss plates. These plates connect the joints of the trusses, making them stronger than even conventional framing. You can install these trusses in one to two days depending on the size and scope of the project.

Trusses
16 penny nails
Hurricane ties
Tape measure
Speed square

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out the top wall plates by placing marks every 24 inches. Pull a tape measure from one end of the top of the wall, and mark an X at 24-inch intervals. At each 24-inch interval, drop back 3/4-inch and place a small pencil mark. Square this mark across the top plate. This will represent the edge of the truss, with the X being the center.
- 2
  
  These roof trusses set on top of the wall are attached to the wall plate.
  
  Set two trusses to begin with. Place the first one at the beginning of the top of the wall, nailing it into place with a 16 penny nail. Nail it at an angle through the bottom of the truss where the truss meets the top of the wall. Add the second truss, placing it on the layout marks at the top of the wall plates. Attach this truss with 16 penny nails, and add 8 foot 2-by-4-inch boards to the top of the two trusses, tying them together. Allow the 2-by-4-inch boards to hang past the two trusses in the direction of the truss installation. You will slide the remaining trusses into place beneath these boards and attach them to the wall plates. These are temporary supports that will tie the trusses together, making them stable.
- 3
  
  These trusses are cross braces and braced on the bottom.
  
  Install cross bracing inside the truss framing in order to brace the truss system. Extend them from the bottom of the trusses and up to the top of the trusses at an angle. This will support the trusses until you attach plywood; leave the braces you installed earlier on top of the trusses in place until you attach the plywood to the top. Attach hurricane ties to the base of the trusses where they meet the wall plates. These straps will cover the 16 penny nails you inserted earlier as temporary attachment.

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