Traditional King Post Roof Truss

In traditional timber framing a crown post looks similar to a king post but it is very different structurally.

Traditional king post roof truss.

This truss is very adaptable with regard to desired span and roof pitch. In a nutshell it s made up of a central vertical post called the king post two rafters meeting at the apex and a tie beam or the horizontal base. The king post truss is also called a latin truss. In aeroplanes the king post supports the top cables and helps to support the weight of the plane s wings.

Simple to make and require a small amount of lumber king post trusses are ideal for small structures. It is used in aircraft construction. King post an upright post in the centre of a roof truss extending from the tie beam to the apex of the truss. A king post truss is a simple triangular gable truss with a center brace known as the king truss.

Whereas the king post is in tension usually supporting the tie beam as a truss the crown post is supported by the tie beam and is in compression. What are king post trusses. The king post truss consists following components. Trusses are elements where its entire member takes either only compression or tension member are not in bending.

This style can be embellished with radius cuts on the struts and a through tenon at the base of the king post as pictured above. King post roof trusses are the most cost effective truss and they look great when curved braces and webs are used. It is often used in simple roof trusses such as in the shed porch and garage. The top two diagonal pieces that serve as rafters are known as the upper cords.

Tie beam two inclined principal rafter two struts king post. A king post truss utilizes two top chords a bottom chord and a piece that connects the bottom and top chords vertically called a king post. The bottom horizontal which serves as ceiling and upper floor joist is known as the lower cord. The king post truss is also used for simple roof lines and short span bridges.

The king post truss with struts is popular timeless very strong and an elegantly simple truss design. The crown post rises to a crown plate immediately below and supporting collar beams it does not rise to the apex like a king post. The truss has four main parts.