Raised Heel Roof Truss Design

Spread web storage trusses are engineered to have a small area to allow storage within.

Raised heel roof truss design.

It is raised higher with a heel that extends up from the top of the wall and elevates the truss at the building s edges. Basic wind speeds of 110 mph or less ultimate design wind speed vult of 140 mph or less seismic design category a b or c for detached one and two family dwellings. Published on may 9 2016 david hawkins prairie design build s building scientist discusses the roof trusses at the mission cliffs passive house and how the raised heel allows for more insulation. A raised heel truss is much like it sounds.

Energy trusses have raised heels so they can reach r values of 30 or higher. Post frame trusses can be used for agricultural residential commercial or industrial use. This is created by designing the truss with a heel height tall enough to meet the r value requirements. A raised heel truss is identical to a conventional truss except for one difference.

Raised heel trusses differ from their conventional truss counterparts in that they are fitted with a heel where the bottom chord intersects with the perimeter wall plate which raises the top chord. Raised heel trusses for efficient cost effective comfortable homes form r330 provides guidance on building with raised heel trusses for designs that meet these categories. With this type of energy heel the wall sheathing will usually need to extend up the outside of the truss. The option 1 figure to the right shows a raised energy heel.

Standard heel typical truss heel height is about 4. Truss heel height the vertical depth of the truss at the outside face of the bearing. The guide can be downloaded for free from the apa s website. The heel of a conventional plated roof truss where the bottom chord intersects with and bears on the perimeter wall plate and is fitted with a vertical member that literally raises the top chord of the truss.

Raised energy heel typical truss heel height is about 12 but may be designed to most any height per the building designer specification. Though extra material is used to create the trusses raised design the extra cost can be offset by the need for less insulation without compromising energy efficiency. Post frame trusses are designed to be placed at spans greater than two feet on center.