Learn Your Truss Terms

Useful Truss Terminology and Construction Concepts

When you're talking about products with us at Madison Truss Co LLC, there are some specific terms that will be useful to know. But don't panic! Our knowledgeable staff will work you through the terminology to ensure you're getting the product you want.

BEARING WIDTH – The width dimension of the member providing support for the truss (usually 3 ½” or 5 ½”). Bearing must occur at a truss joint location
CANTILEVER – That structural portion of a truss which extends beyond the support (bearing). The cantilever dimension is measured from the outside face of the support to the heel joint. Note that the cantilever is different from the overhang
CAMBER – An upward vertical displacement built into a truss bottom chord to compensate for deflection due to dead load
CHORDS – The outer members of a truss that define the envelope or shape
BOTTOM CHORD – The horizontal (and inclined, i.e. scissor trusses) member defining the lower edge of a truss, carrying ceiling loads where applicable. This member is subject to tensile and bending stresses. (On a simply supported, non-cantilevered truss)
TOP CHORD – An inclined or horizontal member that establishes the upper edge of a truss. This member is subjected to compressive and bending stresses
CLEAR SPAN – The horizontal distance between inside faces or supports
CONNECTOR PLATE – A galvanized steel plate with teeth punched out on one side, which is hydraulically pressed or rolled into both sides of a joint to fasten chord and web members together
GIRDER – A main truss supporting secondary trusses framed into it
HEEL – The joint in a pitched truss where top and bottom chords meet
HEEL HEIGHT – The vertical distance between the outside edge of the point of bearing to the top of the top chord at that location
JOINT – The point of intersection of a chord with the web or webs, or an attachment of pieces of lumber (e.g. splice)
LATERAL BRACE – A permanent member connected to a web or chord member at right angle to the truss to restrain the member against the buckling failure, or the truss against overturning
OVERHANG – The extension of the top chord beyond the heel joint
PANEL – The chord segment between two adjacent joints
PANEL POINT – The point of intersection of a chord with the web or webs
PEAK – Highest point on a truss where the sloped top chords meet
PLATE – Either horizontal 2x member at the top of a stud wall offering bearing for trusses or a shortened form of connector plate, depending on usage of the word
PLUMB CUT – Top chord cut to provide for vertical (plumb) installation of fascia
SCARF CUT – For pitched trusses only – sloping cut of upper portion of the bottom chord at the heel joint
SLOPE (PITCH) – The units of horizontal run, in one unit of vertical rise for inclined members. Usually expressed at 3:12, 5:12, etc. (3 inches of rise over a 12-inch span)
SPLICE POINT – The location where the chord member is spliced to form one continuous member. It may occur at a panel point but is more often placed at ¼ panel length away from the joint
TIE – A temporary bottom chord brace, may be omitted if ceiling is attached directly to bottom chord and provides adequate lateral support
TRUSS – A pre-built structural member capable of supporting a load over a given span. A truss consists of one or more triangles in its construction
FLAT TRUSS – A truss which has the top chord parallel to the bottom chord over the entire length of the truss
PITCHED TRUSS – Any truss in which the top chord is sloped and the bottom chord is horizontal
WEBS – Members that join the top and bottom chords to form the triangular patterns that give truss action. The members are subject only to axial compression or tension forces (no bending)

When you're ready to place your order or if you have questions, call us at 812-273-5482. Madison Truss is affiliated with the Wood Truss Council of America (WTCA), DTI Truss Plate Institute, and Structural Building Components Association (SBCA).

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