General FAQ
What are roof trusses?
Are roof trusses more reliable than conventional framing methods?
Does it take longer to frame a house using wood trusses?
Is experience necessary for installing roof trusses?
Will I save money using wood roof trusses?
What if I need a specific truss design for my project?
Can roof trusses be connected to existing trusses or combined with other components?
Is it possible to deliver roof trusses to my jobsite?
Architects and Truss Specifiers FAQ
Can roof trusses be made with treated lumber?
I was thinking about using fire treated roof trusses, are there any stipulations I should know about?
Do you manufacture steel roof trusses?
Who is responsible for providing truss loading specifications?
Are there any special bracing instructions for your roof trusses?
How long do I have to keep my temporary bracing in place?
General FAQ
What are roof trusses?
Roof trusses are structural building components used in residential and commercial roof construction. Typically, wood trusses are characterized by their triangular shape and are constructed by securing pieces of lumber together with metal fastener plates.
Are roof trusses more reliable than conventional framing methods?
Roof trusses bring a quality to framing that stick built homes just don’t posses. Built in a quality controlled environment for accuracy, Universal delivers premium wood trusses everyday – regardless of weather conditions. Manufactured to the highest tolerances, Universal’s roof trusses are built to last.
Does it take longer to frame a house using wood trusses?
The Wood Truss Council of America (WTCA) built two homes of the exact same size – only one was built using components while the other used traditional stick building techniques. The end result, framing with wood roof trusses takes 40% less time. And, you’ll save 16% in total labor and building material costs.
Is experience necessary for installing roof trusses?
No. Framing with roof trusses can be done by any skilled building professional. And, installing roof trusses requires less carpentry labor, which eliminates the need to hire people with specialized trades. Increasing productivity without adding laborers has never been this easy.
Will I save money using wood roof trusses?
Yes, and a lot of it. Building components noticeably decrease on-site waste disposal charges, theft and vandalism. And, arriving at the job site ready to install, trusses dramatically reduce construction time. Faster erection and less clean-up costs mean a greater profit for you.
What if I need a specific truss design for my project?
At Universal, the only limit to truss construction is your imagination. Whatever truss type you need – we have the expertise and design software to bring it to life. Our truss design experts work with your exact loading specifications to consistently provide you with precision built, custom trusses.
Can roof trusses be connected to existing trusses or combined with other components?
With the help of CAD technology and Universal’s ability to manufacture any style of truss type needed – the possibilities are endless. Our roof trusses are the perfect fit for all your new construction, renovation or expansion needs.
Is it possible to deliver roof trusses to my jobsite?
Yes. Universal delivers trusses using our own fleet of trucks. We are on time, every time.
Architects and Truss Specifiers FAQ
Can roof trusses be made with treated lumber?
Yes. Using most pressure treated wood does not sacrifice truss quality or reliability in any way. And, loading conditions are not impacted, so the installation process remains unchanged. Some pressure treated wood is very corrosive to the truss plate and requires stainless steel plates. We also have to take a load reduction with some preservatives.
Do you manufacture steel roof trusses?
Yes, we manufacture steel trusses on the west coast for the California market. In other locations, we offer trusses built from fire resistant lumber.
Who is responsible for providing truss loading specifications?
Live, dead, environmental and construction loads must all be taken into account when designing roof trusses. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the building designer to provide exact loading specifications.
Are there any special bracing instructions for your roof trusses?
Bracing needs to be installed according to individual truss design plans and specifications. It is essential for the safety of all builders. Consult with the building architect or the WTCA’s BCSI 2006 publication for detailed bracing instructions.
How long do I have to keep my temporary bracing in place?
Temporary bracing needs to remain in place until permanent bracing has been installed. However, some builders prefer to leave temporary bracing in place as a permanent component of the framework. Refer to WTCA’s BCSI 2006 publication for detailed information.
