Bracing Existing Roof Trusses

Temporary Bracing

• 1

  Lay an 8-foot board across the top face of the trusses. Fasten the end of the board to the first truss by driving two of your 16d nails through the board and into the truss with your hammer.

• 2

  Stretch your tape measure between the first truss and the next. Adjust the second truss until it is 22 1/2 inches away from the first.

• 3

  Nail the brace board to the second truss to hold it in place. Repeat this procedure across the whole roof to adjust the truss spacing at every interval.

Permanent Bracing

• 4

  Hold a 22 1/2 inch board between the first and second trusses. Move the board so that it is one-third of the way between the bottom of the trusses and the peak of the roof. Drive nails through each truss to fasten the brace board in place.

• 5

  Mount a brace board between the second and third trusses in the same manner. Lift this brace board 3 1/2 inches higher than the first so you can nail straight through the trusses and into the ends of the brace.

• 6

  Repeat the process along the entire length of the roof. Remember to alternate the brace boards higher and lower to maintain easy access for your nails. This nailing technique provides the strength your roof needs.

• 7

  Install a second row of braces one-third of the way down from the peak. Install matching rows of brace boards on every facet of the truss system.