Modifying Engineered Roof Trusses

Mark the lower.

Modifying engineered roof trusses.

At both of these marks position a 2 by 4 so that the bottom is on the floor and the top extends upward to a point. These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company to carry a specific roof load. Home owners should avoid cutting or modifying their roof trusses. You can modify the trusses but it s an enormous amount of work.

If you live in a house with engineered manufactured trusses then don t mess with them. Modifying roof trusses my client wants to add a 16 inch wide 4 inch deep tray ceiling in a room where the drywall ceiling is attached to the bottom chord of roof trusses. When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a chance of a structural overload or that they will not perform properly. Measure in from each side wall a distance equal to 1 4 of the total width of the truss.

One use of trusses is for the support of a roof they are similar to roof rafters. Measure the width of the truss. I think you ll find that this type of renovation will be extremely expensive and time consuming. Also if you decide to do this you must work hand in hand with a licensed structural engineer that s familiar with wood trusses.

If you really want to modify the framing of your attic and roof then consult with a licensed professional structural engineer.