Scissor trusses

[JasonF]

I was plannning on putting just a standard 4/12 pitch trusses on my 32' x 48' pole barn but seeing all the posts of guys using scissors got me thinking. Just off the top of your head about how much more per truss would it be to go with a 4/12 pitch scissor truss if if went that route? I have been working nights here at work and everytime I think about this the lumberyard is closed, so just looking to get a rough idea? Of coarse the trusses span the 32' dimension.

 

[theoldwizard1]

4/12 ? I would be concerned about snow load.

 

[NHBandit]

I had my 30x40x12 garage built by National Barn Company and when I told them I wanted scissor trusses the cost stayed the same. Don't know if that is standard procedure or if they agreed to that to get me to commit to their deal but I'm very glad I did. I have tons of room above my lift. Please excuse the old pic but it shows the clearance I gained over conventional trusses very well. The lift posts are right at 12' tall.

 

[Sureshot]

Thousands built here with 3.5/12 and no snow load issues. My addition is 3/12 and the snow slides off. Can't help on price though. Just go taller if possible.

 

[JasonF]

This is mid Michigan, it doesn't snow hear anymore, lol.
I would go taller if I could but I'm maxed out zoning wise at a 18' peak height which is right were I'm at right now. I eventually want to put a lift in, which I can do with the 12' ceiling, but it would just be even easier with a couple more feet. If the cost is close is within say $20 a truss I would like to go this route.

I snowmobile out west in the winter and that is snow load! I've ridden over top of old shacks used for cattle drives that were merely bumps in the snow, 16-20 feet deep easy. ha ha

 

[blazentrout]

4/12 ? I would be concerned about snow load.

Why is that? I have never had an issue with 4/12 pitch roof on the barn and i get to deal with lake affect. It would seam to me that the truss would be desigened to carry X lbs and could be either style.

 

[KiltLifter]

So on my garage, where I'm removing the 4:12 and replacing it with a gambrel (Barn style) roof, the 2 end trusses (not scissor) are $190, the rest of them (scissor) are $150. There is simply less lumber in the scissors so they cost less. The scissor gives me a 7:12 interior slope which is about 8' tall in the middle of it's 24' span. The scissors are engineered to keep the roof load on the walls pointing downward instead of sideways (spreading the walls) so they also do not require rafters. Compare your costs because Scissors are usually 2x4, and the dimension lumber you use to support your snow load (2x10s and a 2X12 ridge with 2x6or8 rafters?) might cost more than trusses - plus trusses are light and easy to install. No, I don't work for the truss propaganda department ;-)

 

[theoldwizard1]

Why is that? I have never had an issue with 4/12 pitch roof on the barn and i get to deal with lake affect. It would seam to me that the truss would be desigened to carry X lbs and could be either style.

I guess that is why you want to go with a local suppler ! They would know what the snow load rating should be.

 

[classic boost]

i have a 32x40 with 5/12-2/12 scissor trusses. if your walls are 10ft, then a 5/12 will give you a 16.5ft building height. the 2/12 on the inside will give you 12.5ft (room for a lift).
note: this is requiring that your walls are 10ft from the concrete.

 

[DynoDave]

I honestly can't remember the numbers, but my scissor trusses (4/12, 26') were very little more than a std. truss. I was on a tight budget, and did not consider them cost prohibitive ay all.

Just asking....is that 18' to the peak of the truss, or the mid point. My townships quoted height was to the midpoint.

 

[JasonF]

Well I did manage to get up and call the lumberyard before they closed today, of the two truss manufacturors that were called, one was $25 more than a standard 4/12 and the other was $40 more. The trusses are also speced for the same snow load so this will not be an issue. So for around $650 more I can have even more head room, seems like a no brainer.

Just asking....is that 18' to the peak of the truss, or the mid point. My townships quoted height was to the midpoint.

I will verify but everything I've read has said that max "peak" height was 18'. This would be a real pisser if that was the case.