Timber Frame King Post Truss Design

Its bold appearance can serve as a focal point of a home s design.

Timber frame king post truss design.

Oak king post truss an a frame truss with a centre post which so defines it from a queen truss which has no centre support. A king post truss is a cost effective design and is particularly attractive when modified with curved braces and webs. King post roof trusses are the most cost effective truss and they look great when curved braces and webs are used. The more complex the truss framework is the greater quantity of these joints will be required.

In a scissor truss design heavy timber or otherwise the bottom chord members crisscross each other. Structurally its bottom chord ties the room together by preventing the walls from spreading. Raised oak king post truss an a frame truss with centre support where the chord cross beam or tie beam is joined to a the frame vertically further up the angled supports. The king post truss contains a single post in the center of the gable known as the king post.

The king post truss is often used in conjunction with other types of trusses. This post divides the gable in two and often includes two struts on either side. The same thing is true for the bridge of the truss. What are king post trusses.

King post roof trusses are the most cost effective truss and they look great when curved braces and webs are used. The craftsman timber truss combines beautiful features from both the hammer beam and the king post truss. King posts also appear in gothic revival architecture queen anne style architecture and occasionally in. The bolsters can have a wide variety of decorative profiles cut into their visible ends.

The example shown above has a king post also which many scissor trusses will need for support. King posts were used in timber framed roof construction in roman buildings and in medieval architecture in buildings such as parish churches and tithe barns the oldest surviving roof truss in the world is a king post truss in saint catherine s monastery egypt built between 548 and 565. This design is a winner for great rooms and entry ways as long as the span isn t too wide and the roof pitch isn t too shallow. The king post timber truss handles long spans and heavy load conditions.

The king post truss with extra bolsters builds on a favorite timber frame truss design with two added bolsters on the underside of the bottom horizontal chord for a heftier look. Finally the truss calculator will compute the best dimensional method to connect the pieces of the truss with steel joints and a bridge. These mirror image pieces added to the underside of the bottom chord can provide a stepped transition to the vertical wall plane. These steel joints are needed to support the overall truss.

Decorative metal strapping adds the special touch of the blacksmith s craftsmanship to this truss design. This truss used in conjunction with heavy timber attic or collar tie trusses works well in a loft area a great room or for an entryway.