Parts of Steel Trusses

Webs

• Short components that connect the top chords and bottom chords of a floor or roof truss are webs. Some builders may refer to the part as webbings. These components transmit compression or tension stresses. Webs are the actual parts that create the triangular design of a truss. Additionally, builders create the webs to keep the structure from bending.

Peak

• A peak, or apex, is the highest point of a truss. This is where the sloped or angled chords come together. For example, a peak in a roof truss is the pointy section of the roof or where the roof meets to complete a triangle.

Bottom and Top Chords

• The horizontal component that establishes the floor section of a truss is called the bottom chord. It holds various combined tensions and stresses. The top chord of a truss consists of a horizontal or inclined component that creates the top section.

Overhang

• An overhang is a part of truss that extends past the exterior wall. This section is a part of the top chord that goes past the bottom chord. Builders cover the overhang by creating a soffit, which is a lumber filler parallel from the edge of the overhang tail toward the outside wall.