Replacing Garage Roof Trusses

How to replace roof trusses with stick framing image credit.

Replacing garage roof trusses. Check the old trusses. When it comes to safety which should always be first in your mind this is not a feasible way to accomplish this project. In designing a home contractors often install roof trusses which is a simple way to support the roof design but does not leave any room for modification. Replacing an entire roof truss.

Roof trusses are triangular timber frames which are nailed pegged or bolted together in order to create a supporting structure for your actual roof and although they are generally bought pre fabricated you can still easily fix them once they are installed. This is obviously in the worst case scenario if the timbers are so badly damaged that there is no chance of repairing them and the only choice left is to remove all damaged trusses and replace with new ones. This is why regular truss maintenance and repair is pertinent to the health of your roof. When damaged or altered this can effect structural integrity of th e roof system.

Trusses can fill the space within your roof and replacing them with another type of roof support can allow you to utilize your loft space. Localized damage to one or two trusses will typically not result in structural failure of the roof system but could cause the roof or ceiling to sag. Contractors will tell you that it is possible to simply replace the damaged truss with a new one by taking the old one out and then installing the new one in its place. If the old trusses are too bad theses may require placing new trusses or complete restoration of roof.

Repair using joist end repair plates. The role of the horizontal beam is to tie the truss together and carry the load that would otherwise be sustained by the support and vertical timber also known as the king post. If you were able to keep the removed section in one piece measure it. Level the new garage truss and secure it in place with framing nails and the metal connectors.

Replace the roof decking select plywood or oriented strand board that is the same thickness as the wood you are replacing. One popular way to support your roof without roof trusses is stick framing. Attic conversions are now possible by replacing the truss rafters with a shaped trusses or horizontal beams which in return create additional space. If you want to change the ceilings into a vaulted design or create an overhead attic then the trusses will have to be replaced with stick framing.

Remember that if the roof has fallen at all due to the damaged truss you may have to pound the new truss into place making sure that it is level and plumb. You may have to use a jack to slightly raise the roof if pounding it into place does not work.