How to Attach Steel Gussets to a Truss Roof

Lay out your truss pieces, with the two upper cords, fitted together to form the top peak of the roof and the king post, with its pointed top end fitted to the inside of the peak created by the upper cords. Place the peak gusset aligned with these three pieces and drive box nails through the holes in the plate, at least two nails into each piece.

Position the lower cord of your truss, so that its outside ends match up to the bottom ends of the upper cords and its center is against the king post. Position one corner gusset place on each lower corner, aligned to the upper and lower cords. Nail the gusset plate in place as you did at the peak.

Center the bottom of the king post so that it rests against the top edge of the lower cord and check with a tape measure to ensure that it is exactly centered, adjust as needed. Fit the gusset plate to the joint between the two pieces and nail it in place.

Lift up at the peak of the truss and turn it over to expose the joints on the reverse face. Starting at the peak, apply gussets to the frame as you did on the other side, using no less than two nails in each piece. Align the gussets carefully so that no edges protrude over the edge of the truss frame.