Raised Heels

Question: 

How high is a high heel?

Answer: 

A high heel is higher than a standard heel. A standard heel is the height of the top chord of the truss plus the pre-set butt cut. Most truss plants design with a 1/4 in. butt cut, although some use 3/8 in. One quick formula to calculate heel height is:

where TC = the width of top chord lumber (in inches), P = the pitch of top chord and Butt = the butt cut of bottom chord (in inches)

You may require a high heel or raised heel for a few different reasons. One is to allow for greater depths of ceiling insulation in the attic space. This type is generally called an energy heel. Scissor trusses may require high heels if the bottom chord pitch is too steep relative to the top chord pitch. Cathedral style trusses by definition require high heels. If the roof has different pitches that meet at a valley, the heels on one of the intersecting roof pitches will have to be adjusted so that eave lines can line up properly.


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