How To Prepare Your Roof Trusses For Installation

• How to measure the Cap Plate for Truss Placement.

• How to secure Hurricane Ties to Cap Plates.

• How to build your Gable Ends.

• How to apply sheathing to the Gable Ends.

• How to install the bracing for Gable Ends.

1. How to measure out and mark the Cap Plates.

   • You must now measure and mark the exact location of each Roof Truss to be installed, on both Cap Plates.

   • The distance between trusses can vary. Standard spacing is 24" on center. If you have questions regarding spacing of trusses, your manufacturer can advise you at the time you place your order.

   • Measuring and marking top plates for roof trusses is the same as marking top and bottom plates for studs during the framing of a wall. The only difference being that you will be marking 24" on center for Roof Trusses, as opposed to 16" on center for studs.

   • Begin at one end and measure off a line at 23 1/4".

   • Measure 24" from that line, then continue marking at 24" intervals, until you have reached the other end of the Cap Plate.

   • Repeat this process for the other Cap Plate being sure to begin your measurements at the same as the other side.

   • Place an "X" on the side of the line that will take the truss.

   

2. How to secure Hurricane Ties to Cap Plates.

   • Now is the time to nail the truss ties to the cap plates. These will secure the trusses to the walls. Below are a couple of common types of hurricane ties.

   

   • Which you choose is based strictly on personal preference.

   • Align the first Hurricane Tie with the end of the Cap Plate and nail it down.

   • Secure one to each corner of the house. These will serve to secure your Gable Ends.

   • Next align a Hurricane Tie with each line you have marked out on the Cap Plates. Be sure to place the Hurricane Tie over the "X" side of each line. Nail each down as you go.

3. How to build your Gable ends.

   • If you have a traditional roof without windows on the ends, then you will have ordered the gable ends already formed as in the image below.

   

   • If you have non-traditional gable ends, then you must now build them. Below is an example of an Attic Truss as you have received it, and one after it has been customized with a window rough opening.

   

   

   
   

   • There are two changes made to the end Truss.

   • The first is the added window rough opening.

   • The second addition is a nailing surface 16" on center. This is added to create a nailing surface for both interior and exterior sheathing.

   • The above is just an example as to what can be done with gable ends. Some people choose to add windows of a variety of shapes and sizes.

   • If you have use Attic Trusses over the entire roof, then you will have to customize both gable ends.

   • You can also choose traditional gable ends as well, even if you've used Attic Trusses throughout. The only difference is that your second floor end walls won't have windows.

4. How to apply sheathing to your Gable Ends.

   • Applying the sheathing to the gable ends is not mandatory at this point but it is much simpler to do it now, than to wait until they are set on the house. Weight is not a concern during the raising process since you will be using a boom truck, therefore it is wise to apply the sheathing at this time.

   

   • Sheathing Gable Ends is done in the same manner as the sheathing on the exterior walls.

   • Lay the sheets of sheathing onto the gable end.

   • After Nailing the sheathing to the studs.

   • Using your circular saw with a plywood cutting blade, trim off the excess sheathing around the perimeter of the Gable End.

   • Cut out the window rough opening.

   • Be sure to nail the sheathing onto the header and rough sill of the rough opening as well.

5. How to install support bracing for the Gable ends.

   • The final step in this process is to set the support bracing for the Gable Ends. The bracing will keep the Gable Ends from tipping off the wall and will keep them plumb as well.

   • Braces consist of 4 (2"x 4") nailed to the end walls extending up to the Gable ends. During the raising process, the Gable ends will rest against the braces to ensure correct positioning and plumb. The bracing will then be temporarily nailed to the Gable ends.