Why Are Howe Trusses Used As A Girder Truss?

Roof trusses are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some popular types include gable trusses, hip trusses, Pratt trusses, and Howe trusses. Coming to the latter, Howe trusses are considered the opposite of Pratt trusses. It comprises a vertical member in the middle, followed by two diagonal members, and bordered by two more vertical members. Consequently, the vertical members of the roof truss are in tension and diagonal members are in compression, as opposed to a Pratt truss, where the vice versa is true. So, how are Howe trusses a great fit as girders? This blog explores this question in detail.

What Is A Girder Truss?

To understand the features of a Howe truss, it is first important to define a girder roof truss. A girder roof truss is a support beam or structure used in buildings or bridges that supports other roof trusses and structural elements. A typical girder truss also has a top chord and a bottom chord, where the former is in tension and the latter is in compression. Depending on the orientation of the roof truss, this means that a girder truss with vertical members can be in tension, and with diagonal members, it can be in compression, much like a Howe truss.

Why Choose Howe Trusses For Girders?

Strength and Stability: As a girder is a support structure for other roof trusses, it means that Howe trusses fit this application perfectly, as they offer significant load-bearing capabilities. The primary reason for this enhanced load-bearing capacity is their diagonal members. The presence of multiple diagonal members increases the compression resistance significantly, as compared to other roof truss designs with only one diagonal member.

Customizable According to Roof Spans: Howe trusses can also be customized according to the span of the roof. Since most of the load falls on the bottom chord of the girder, a Howe truss can be extended by adding more vertical members. Furthermore, making these uprights deeper makes it easier to extend the span safely.

Tamarack Lumber Inc. is a premier designer, manufacturer, and distributor of roof trusses in Ontario. Known for our robust trusses, quality roof truss designs, and fast turnaround times, get in touch with us today at 905-335-1115 for more information or to request a quote.