Industry News & Helpful Hints

Here on our website you'll find very useful information. We believe that it is important to support quality in our industry whether it be to customers, general contractors, roofers or related fields.

Newsletters

Fall 2007 - Deco Truss Circular

Winter 2007 - Deco Truss Circular

Fall 2006 - Deco Truss Circular

Summer 2006 - Deco Truss Circular

Press Releases

November 28, 2006

May 28, 2003

May 21, 2006

The Wood Truss Council of America Standard Practice Publication

The Wood Truss Council of America publishes standard practice materials prepared and edited by knowledgeable authors from the construction industry to give as much assistance as possible to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, building officials and others involved in the metal plate connected wood truss industry. » View complete document

Awarding the Job

When choosing a truss manufacturer, it is important to understand that the lowest bidder may not be the best one for the job. The lowest bid sometimes ends up costing more. The following questions which must be address prior to signing a contract:

1. Does the truss manufacturer clearly state on his contract/proposal the pages from the architecture/engineering plan that you gave him? If not, this could result in change orders
2. Does the truss manufacturer clearly state and special conditions that may be happening such as wind loads, loadings, attic trusses, vaulted ceilings, etc.?
3. Are the trusses being bid as the architect shows or is the truss manufacturer going to change locations of girders or will he need to all columns, resulting in revisions to your plans?
4. What hangers, if any does the truss manufacturer supply? (It is common to supply all truss-to-girder hangers and girder-to-girder hangers excluding jack hangers and hurricane clips)
5. Does the truss manufacturer subscribe to a nationally accepted TRUSS QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM, which consists of daily in-plant quality control checks by plant personnel and unannounced monthly inspections by a third-party inspection bureau for conformance to engineering and industry standards?
6. Are Girder Trusses a minimum of 2x6 bottom cord?
7. Are all hip trusses stepping up, per setback height or are they all the same with required piggy backs?
8. Are the trusses on Placement Plan labeled by section?
9. Are you provided with a preliminary plan prior to sealed drawings?
10. Are the Truss Placement Plans & Engineers provided prior to fabrication?
11. How many copies of the Truss Placement Plan & Engineers are being provided to you?

Bidding

When bidding trusses, it is important to have all of the following:

1. A complete set of architectural and structural plans. Mechanical plans are not needed unless there are air conditioning units on/inside trusses or if special provision must be taken for duct work;
2. The latest revision from the architect/engineer;
3. Any additional requests such as vaulted ceilings, attics, etc. must be reflected on the plan;
4. Any special conditions such as tray/coffer ceilings, lighting soffits, etc. must be on the plan if it is framed by the builder or built by a truss company
5. The architecture plan must clearly state the location of the job, all loading conditions, including wind-load conditions.