Gable Roof Truss Bracing

The gable end frame is designed to transfer vertical loads from the roof to the continuous bearing wall below.

Gable roof truss bracing.

Wind bracing truss clusters at both gable ends and at least every 20 add wind bracing green for truss clusters. Nail braces vertically every 4 feet along the top and bottom of a gable truss. The remainder of the trusses should be braced with 1x4s. Gable end walls and the roof sheathing at the gable end can take a tremendous beating during a hurricane and if not properly attached and braced they fail.

The images below show these critical components and their recommended placement. Manufactured gable ends are actually frames even though they are often referred to as trusses. Gable end walls need to be well connected to the wall below and to the roof structure or ceiling diaphragm. Use a t brace to support the truss vertically.

Bracing for roofs that are approximately square. Turn the truss upside down and place on corner on the roof surface. There are several methods for making these types of connections. In the attic go to the gable end and examine the area where the triangular wall meets the rectangular wall below.

It is best to brace the inside of the trusses before handling them. Wind bracing should be placed at 30 60 angles. Slide the rest of the truss up using a 2x4 as a ramp if necessary. Using the same 24 inch on center measurements that you marked on the wall plates earlier mark each truss for bracing.

Bracing for roofs less than 6 6m wide on detached or staggered stepped buildings. When several trusses are in place nail the end of the brace over the second gable end truss. Bracing for larger roofs. Install 2x4s at a 45 degree angle.

Applicable to all trussed rafter roofs unless rigid sarking such as timber boarding or plywood is used. Gable end bracing retrofitting gable ends to improve their resistance to hurricanes the following prescriptive methods are intended for applications where the gable end wall framing is provided by a wood gable end wall truss or a conventionally framed rafter system. Diagonal rafter bracing should be approximately 45 to the rafters on plan. Then nail the brace securely to the other trusses.

The webs are studs oriented vertically and usually spaced at 12 16 or 24 in.