Standard Truss Sizes

[IHMANKY]

Looking to put up a small pole barn and was wondering what are the common truss sizes stocked by most builders' supply stores? Looking to go narrow but long.

 

[ChrisB]

Most all are made to order. Think lots of room to store and too much to invest.

If you do see some in a lumberyard, they are most likely returned, overstocked etc........ Keep your eyes and ears open and you could find a bargain and build on the size you come up with.

 

[MarkB_MI]

4/12 trusses in 24 and 30 foot widths are the most common sizes used for small post frame buildings, but most lumberyards don't keep them in stock. It's simpler for the yard to have the truss builder drop them off directly at the building site.

The trusses I've used have about a two foot overhang; you cut the overhang to whatever you want.

 

[Ryan - WI]

As the others have posted, most yards don't stock trusses. However truss manufacturers do have "standard" truss sizes that are available with little to no wait time. A truly custom truss set takes a lead time in the area of 3 to 7 weeks. Standard trusses are usually able to be dropped off within days.

Standard trusses usually are available in pitches 4/12 and 6/12 and come in 2 foot increments from 18'-40'. Al;l of these will be engineered for 24" centers and have a 2' rafter tail.

Standard size offerings will vary a bit by truss manufacturer.

 

[IHMANKY]

Thanks guys, all good info. I remember a couple lumber yards around me stocking some, but couldn't remember what the common ones were.. I was pretty sure they kept 24's but couldn't think what else. All good ideas and Chris, read my mind... I was just looking through the local thrifty nickel / trader ads looking for a set that someone couldn't use or didn't need.

 

[thurlow]

Have you thought about building your own? Three or four years ago when I was designing my wood-working shop, I found that I could build them cheaper than I could buy them. Found detailed design instructions (dimensions, glue, nails, gussets, etc) on line......from LSU, I think. My walls are 24 ft, but I could have easily gone at least 30. Used plywood gussets....

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[Spook]

I ordered some last year, took 3 days to get them. I tried to bribe the driver into using his crane to set them, but he wouldn't even consider it, even when I showed him some dead presidents.

 

[Owen Aaland]

I built my own when I built my shop. I bought plans from the University of Iowa. 48 feet was as wide as I could go using single 2x6s so that is the width I used. Mine are on three foot centers. The cost was about the same as if I had purchased ready made ones but they would have been on eight foot centers. Since I was installing a ceiling, the finishing cost inside was a lot less with the three foot on center trusses.

 

[Harvey3]

When you decide what you want, avoid the building supplies and go direct to the builder, you'll save a few bucks.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Building your own trusses is fine as long as the building won't be inspected, or you've already checked with the inspector. When I put up my building, the inspector insisted on getting a copy of the truss drawing, stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer.

Another problem with building your own trusses is finding lumber of appropriate quality. I don't know where the truss builders get their lumber, but they sure as heck don't buy it from Home Depot.

 

[thurlow]

Around 'here', unless the building is to occupied as a dwelling, there's no inspection. Same thing with electricty and plumbing, as long as they're on EXISTING meters. Have built lots of buildings and never worried about one coming down. Pavilion was built the year before the shop.....every screw and every nail by myself. Can't see it in the picture, but there's a bathroom in the woods with flush toilet and hot and cold water.

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[Billy NY]

I used to work at a lumber yard that had a truss shop, we used to stock 24' common trusses, 4/14 pitch and or 1 or 2 other common sizes, but most were made to order, and those stock items were not always in stock sometimes the shop was too busy. Most of the manufacturers have a poster size chart with all the types, though you may just be using a common truss, your roof pitch can vary per preference or application etc. probably the reason they are built to order.

 

[Gun guru]

Amen to that. If an accident happened and the building collapsed or even by a strong wind gust then the insurance company is going to investigate. How much do you really save? I paid $1500 for the trusses on a 22x50 garage, that was in 2000. 5/12 pitch, with regular scissor style.

 

[tg in VA]

When I built my hay barn I called the local truss manufacturer to see if they had any trusses that had been built to order and then the order was cancelled. They had some 7 1/2/12 pitch 28 ft trusses that, according to their computer program could be used on a pole building spaced a maximum of 28" oc. Delivered they were $15 apiece. I built a 28' wide X 52' long hay barn, the size was determined by the number of trusses available at the $15 price.

Were I to build another building, I would try that approach first.

 

[Anonymous-0]

My son says truss builders use some poor crooked lumber.