Timber Truss Design Styles
From the classic King Post to the dramatic Hammerbeam, timber trusses add timeless elegance and architectural intrigue to any space. Explore our guide to popular truss styles and discover how they can transform your home into a breathtaking masterpiece.
Timber Truss Gallery
Here are simple forms of the most common timber trusses. Click to see more detail.
Simple Truss
The workhorse of trusses. Triangular in shape, it's strong, easy to build, and ideal for shorter spans.
Cable Truss
Truss with steel cables for tension instead of solid timbers in the webbing, creating a lightweight and open look.
Arched Truss
Perfect for creating vaulted ceilings reminiscent of grand cathedrals, adding elegant spaciousness to any room.
Box Truss
Closed rectangular or box-shaped truss offering exceptional strength and stability for heavy loads or long spans.
King Truss
A classic and economical choice featuring a central king post for added vertical support for larger spaces.
Scissor Truss
Visually appealing truss with interlocking diagonal beams that resemble scissors. Offers a spacious and open feel.
Queen Truss
Similar to a king post truss but with two "queen" posts that offer additional support for wider spans.
Hammer Truss
Historically significant truss with horizontal beams (hammers) corbelled into the wall. Decorative and functional.
The Power of Custom Timber Trusses
Unlike standard manufactured trusses, custom timber trusses offer a world of design possibilities and unmatched structural integrity. They are the heart and soul of your timber framed space, not just pre-fabricated components. We take the custom truss design process seriously, understanding the profound impact they have on aesthetics, functionality, and the overall essence of your dream home.
Designing for Beauty and Strength:
Our team of experienced designers collaborates closely with you to transform your vision into a reality. We explore a range of factors that influence the design of your trusses:
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Shape: King post, Queen post, Hammerbeam, Scissor truss—these are just a few of the options available. Each style offers a unique visual appeal and structural purpose. We'll guide you in selecting the perfect truss to achieve the desired aesthetic and functionality for each space.
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Size and Spacing: The size and number of trusses play a crucial role in defining the scale and openness of your space. Our team considers factors like roof pitch, preferred style, and ceiling height to determine the optimal size and spacing for your custom trusses.
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Visual Impact: Timber trusses are more than just structural elements – they are a central design feature. We'll work with you to ensure your trusses seamlessly integrate with your chosen architectural style, whether it's a rustic lodge vibe, a modern minimalist aesthetic, or anything in between.
Beyond Off-the-Shelf Solutions:
While we can quote generic trusses based on existing plans, the true value lies in custom design. Here's why:
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Uniqueness: While functional, many trusses included in building plans sent to us miss an opportunity to become a stunning architectural feature. We can collaborate with you to craft trusses that perfectly complement the style of your home and showcase the beauty of traditional joinery techniques.
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Efficiency: Our experienced designers can optimize the truss layout to reduce material use, potentially leading to cost savings. Why have six trusses when maybe four would do the trick while redesigning the trusses to match your architectural aesthetic? Don't leave win-win ideas on the table!
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Structural Integrity: Custom trusses consider the specific loads and stresses of your unique design, ensuring optimal structural performance while incorporating traditional joinery.
Getting the Perfect Truss: Beyond the Quote
We understand that plans often include pre-determined truss specifications. We're happy to quote you based on those existing designs, but it's important to understand the potential limitations and the true value of a custom approach.
Quoting Existing Designs:
If you have a specific truss design called out on your plan, we can provide a quote based on those specifications. However, it's important to note that these trusses may not have been designed with your unique space or overall timber frame aesthetic in mind.
This truss is a great start. However, this design has some difficult connections for fabrication and isn't optimized for traditional joinery and wood shrinkage.
After meeting with the clients, we discovered they didn't even like how it looked! Here's a redesign that they loved, and as a bonus, it cost less than the original!
Considering the Bigger Picture:
Here's where our expertise truly shines. By taking a holistic approach, we can go beyond a simple quote and offer solutions that optimize your entire timber frame project:
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Aesthetics and Functionality: Pre-designed trusses might not seamlessly integrate with your desired architectural style or optimize the goals of your space. We can suggest alternative truss styles or layouts that enhance both function and beauty.
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Timber Frame Harmony: Custom trusses allow for joinery details that complement the overall timber frame aesthetic, creating a more cohesive and visually stunning result.
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Structural Integrity: We may need to modify an existing design to ensure it meets building codes and can handle the specific loads and stresses of your space.
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Potential Cost Savings: Our experienced designers can optimize truss layouts to minimize material use and potentially reduce overall project costs while still looking great in the space.
Investing in a Holistic Approach:
While a quote based on existing plans might seem straightforward, a custom truss design offers a significant value proposition. It ensures a structure that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, and seamlessly integrated with your overall timber frame vision.
Original Design
Revised Design
Interested in Timber Trusses for Your Project?
Are you intrigued by the beauty and strength of timber trusses? Do you need trusses for your upcoming construction project? Timber trusses can add a touch of rustic charm or modern elegance to your project while offering unparalleled structural strength and design flexibility. Whether you're captivated by the classic look of a king post truss or envision a vaulted space with something a bit more unique, timber trusses can help you achieve your vision. Find out how easy it is to get started!