TRUSSES
TRUSS: A network of timbers forming a ridged support structure; ideally, all members of the truss behave in either compression of tension, none in bending. Trusses are used to span distances impractical for solid members, or to support unusual loads.
There are many standard configurations for trusses and many variations for custom truss work. Custom work is our specialty, so if your project is unique we can help develop creative solutions.
HAMMER BEAM TRUSS
A roof bracket consisting of an interrupted tie beam projecting from the top of a wall and supporting a roof truss. A complete hammer beam roof frame permits a large roof span made of relatively short timbers.
Originally from Europe the hammer beam truss has gained popularity in modern American framing. Its complex joinery and vaulted timber work makes for a beautiful display. (below-Modified Hammer Beam) (right- typical Hammer Beam)
SCISSOR TRUSS
Distinct from other major truss types, the scissor has a two-member tie beam, or bottom chord, with each member bearing on a wall and restraining the principal rafter, then rising at an angle to cross the other rising tie and terminate near the midpoint of the opposite principal rafter.
The appeal of this truss is in its arched form that helps to open up ceilings. Traditionally the scissor truss has been the truss of choice for churches with exposed beam ceilings.
KING POST TRUSS
In a truss, (the king post is) the central, vertical member extending from the tie beam (or lower chord) to the peak and receiving the upper ends of the rafters (or upper chords).
The king post truss is the most prevalent among truss configurations. Because of its simple layout, it is the most economically priced.
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GRANDMA'S HOUSE
1. BUILT FOR GRANDMA: This one room house is left open by using a glass divider wall that is 7' tall. Built as a simple rectangle with 5 scissor trusses and an added 5' front porch, this is a perfect little house for a retired couple or single. The plan is easily adapted to accommodate a full kitchen, bath, and pantry with washer dryer. The porch can also extend to both sides or around the entire house. This is a wonderful balance of traditional timber framing and modern efficient building practices. 2. BUILT FOR COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY: Breaking with building traditions, the foundation crawl space is insulated, vapor sealed and used as an air plenum to help cool the house in the warm summer months.
With an air exchanger installed, fresh air is brought into the house and tempered with the outgoing air. The incoming air is pumped into the crawl space below the house, in the summer this space, helps to cool the house as air rises from the crawl space up to the rafters, in the Winter this air and crawl space is heated by the radiant floor prior to moving up to the ceiling and pumped back to the air exchanger for discharge. All domestic hot water and heat is provided by a single exterior mounted instant hot water heater. All exterior walls are 6" Structural insulated panels that provide great insulation. 
3. BUILT TO LAST: Many details have gone into Harriet's house to insure that this structure will endure. From window and door detailing, to wall and roof structure, we strove to insure that sun, wind, water and fire are held at bay. The walls are all vented from top to bottom under the siding with Tye-Par house warp. This rain screen ensures that any moisture that is driven behind the siding has a place to drain and dry out, thus protecting the structure and prolonging life of the siding and paint. At each opening extra care has been taken to insure that the flashing diverts driven water to the face of the rain screen. Unlike conventional flashing that often depends on calking to seal the trim to the siding, these flashing details provide a mechanical means to protect the structure from trapped water. The roof is built of 8" thick Structural Insulated panels, and the fire suppression system is left exposed inside with copper pipe.
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ZEFF TRUSSES
“Trusses just installed and they look great. Layout was impeccable and the joinery looks wonderful…this will be a show piece room.”
Tim Elias-Acapella Construction: 9/13/05
1. THE PROJECT: The Zeff residence is being
built in Marin County California. The
entertainment room witch is to serve as a
remote living room for adults needed heavy
timber elements to give the room a sense of
importance and strength. The timber trusses
where cut by hand in our shop in Santa Rosa
and delivered to the job site for installation into
a room that had already been built. We
typically do not do “Trim-ber Framing”;
However, this was a project that required fine
timberwork that we are uniquely qualified to
do. *Notice that each truss member is individually wrapped with a protective film to protect the timber from dirt, handling.
2. THE CHALLENGE: The main concern with this project was the backward construction process of building timber trusses into an existing structure. After measuring the room with level and plumb lines it became clear that this would not be an easy task; However, the trusses fit better than expected and the installation crew was very pleased.
3. THE TIMBER AND JOINERY: We used
#1 Douglas fir that
was dried with an
RFV process to a
minimum of 17%
moisture content.
This insures that our
complex and tight
joinery stays that
way. Notice the
double shoulder at
the base of the truss;
(above photo) this is
called a lightning
joint. Once installed
we also produced
carved timber corbels
that trimmed the
scissor trusses out at
the wall connection.
(Finish photos are on their way). The King post (above photo) joint at the crossing of
the scissor cords is one of the greatest pleasures of timber framing. (That is, when it
fits well.) 
Loading the trusses for delivery to the site.
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CHATEAU ST. JEAN
Chateau St. Jean makes fine wines from their own Sonoma Valley grapes, near Kenwood, CA. In 1999, they chose Paragon Construction to build them a new wine tasting room. 
Paragon Construction, in turn, challenged us to build 6 custom timber trusses to support the roof of the tasting room.The project architects specifically identified Washington, D.C.’s Library of Congress as the aesthetic target for our trusses.
We responded with several options, and designs to solve the problem of building traditional wood trusses to support a heavy tile roof across a 48’ span, in a high seismic zone. We met the challenge by hiding steel knife plates and 60 one-inch diameter bolts in each truss.
Upon fabrication in our Santa Rosa shop, we coordinated for a local finishing company to apply cabinet-grade finish to our pre-built trusses. We then delivered the trusses to the job site, where we concluded our work by installing the trusses atop the framed walls of the tasting-room-to-be.
We are especially grateful to our sister company, Earthwood homes, of Oregon, for supplying the extraordinarily high-quality timber for this project (timber of this quality is unavailable on the open market). We also thank Earthwood Homes for their assistance throughout installation of the trusses.
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