02/03/2026
instructional infographic showcasing ten common types of roof trusses. These wooden structures are the "skeleton" of a roof, designed to bridge the space over a room and provide support for the roof covering.
Each truss is labeled, showing how different internal bracing (the "webbing") allows for different spans, room types, or aesthetic ceilings.
BREAKDOWN OF TRUSS TYPES
The infographic is organized into two columns. Here is a detailed look at what each design offers:
LEFT COLUMN: STANDARD & COMPLEX SPANS
✓ King Post: The simplest form. It features a single central vertical post. It's usually used for short spans (up to about 8 meters).
✓ Queen Post: Evolution of the King Post, using two vertical posts. This allows for a wider span while keeping the center relatively open.
✓ Fink: Recognizable by its "W" shape webbing. It is one of the most common and cost-effective trusses used in modern residential housing because it can handle long spans efficiently.
✓ Howe: Similar to the Fink but with vertical members added. It is designed to handle heavy loads and is often seen in bridge or industrial roof designs.
✓ Fan: Uses a "fan-like" internal bracing pattern. This is effectively a Fink truss with extra supports, making it suitable for even wider spans.
RIGHT COLUMN: SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS
✓ Scissor: These trusses create a vaulted or cathedral ceiling. The bottom chords are angled upward, allowing for a high, sloping interior ceiling.
✓ Attic: Designed specifically to create living space within the roof. It features a wide, flat bottom area and vertical "kneewalls" to support the room's interior.
✓ Mono Pitch: Effectively half of a standard truss. These are used for "shed" style roofs or to create split-level rooflines.
✓ Raised Tie: Similar to a Scissor truss, the bottom horizontal beam (the "tie") is moved upward. This provides more head height in a room without the full steepness of a scissor truss.
KEY STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
While the designs vary, they all share these basic parts visible in the illustration:
✓ Top Chords: The slanted outer members that define the roof's pitch.
✓ Bottom Chord: The horizontal (or angled) member that forms the base.
✓ Webs: The internal "zig-zag" or vertical members that distribute the weight.
✓ Gusset Plates: The dark grey rectangles at the joints. In real construction, these are usually galvanized steel "nail plates" that bite into the wood to hold the joints together.
✓ Note: When choosing a truss for a real project, factors like local snow loads, wind speeds, and roofing material weight are used to calculate which of these designs is most appropriate.
