For more than a decade we have been manufacturing prefabricated roof trusses using the MiTek® Roof Truss System - acknowledged as the best in the world. to assist in the design and planning of any truss project.

Our roof trusses are individually designed strictly in accordance with the Code of Practice for General Procedure and loadings (SABS -160) and the Code of Practice for the Design of Timber Structures (SABS 0163).

BENEFITS

The truss connector plate system was introduced more than 30 years ago in America and it has made a huge impact on the service levels within the South African building industry, offering reduced labour and material costs compared to that of conventional roof truss construction and designs.

For the builder the benefits of the pre-manufactured trusses mean reduced costs, optimal timber usage and less waste. Resources on site are used to their full potential while our staff provide on site technical support ensuring timeous delivery and accurate dimensional fit.

For the engineer, the roof truss systems provide for the complete structural interaction of timber and the prevention of roof distortions. For the architect there is greater creative scope, with endless design possibilities ranging from residential roofs to roof spans for office parks and shopping centres. See here for a range of designs of common truss shapes.

DESIGN STANDARDS

Pennypinchers roof truss designs are prepared using advanced MiTek® System. Our design approach has been verified by extensive truss tests conducted by the National Timber Research Institute.

Our roof trusses are individually designed strictly in accordance with the Code of Practice for General Procedure and loadings

(SABS -160) and the Code of Practice for the Design of Timber Structures (SABS 0163).

TIMBER AND GRADING

Pennypinchers uses only the highest standard SABS graded timber. All timber used in trusses or secondary timber is in accordance with either:

SABS 563 for stress graded softwood general structural timber.

SABS 1245 for stress graded softwood engineering timber.

SABS 1460 for structural, laminated timber.

SABS 653 for batterns and branderings.

PENNYPINCHERS ROOF TRUSS SYSTEMS

Pennypinchers roof trusses are versatile and can be designed and manufactured for the most complicated profiles to specification.

Samplings of common truss shapes are shown here.

NAME

MAX SPAN (m)

CONFIGURATION

King Post

Queen Post

Fink

Fan

Double W

Triple W

King Scissors

Queen Scissors

Howe Scissors

Double Howe Scissors

Triple Howe Scissors

Warren Scissors

Double Warren Scissors

Modified Scissors

Polynesian or Gambrel

Mono-Half Howe Comp

Mono-Half Scissors Howe Tension

Mono-Half Scissors Warren

NAME

MAX SPAN (m)

CONFIGURATION

Polynesian or Gambrel

Simple Attic Frame

Queen Post Attic Frame

Home Attic Frame

Vaulted Ceiling

Bowstring 5 to 9 Panels

Howe Girder

Double Howe Girder

Triple Howe Girder

Inverted Howe

Inverted Double Howe

Mono Pitch Hip End 45° Corner Set

Hip Type 'S'

Hip Type 'T' Truncated System

Hip Type 'D' Dutch Hip

Hip Type 'F'

HIP END DETAILS

A range of standard hip layouts are typically used depending on the truss span, loading and pitch. Examples are:

Type S - Small hip system.

Type T - Truncated girder system suitable for larger spans but not well suited to low pitches.

Type F - A versatile full girder system simple to erect but not generally viable at spans over 10m (under tiles).

The cost of the hip system may have significant effect on the total cost of the roof. Contact us for a free estimate.

TYPE S - SMALL HIP SYSTEM

TYPE T - TRUNCATED GIRDER SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR LARGER SPANS BUT NOT WELL SUITED TO LOW PITCHES

TYPE F - A VERSATILE FULL GIRDER SYSTEM SIMPLE TO ERECT BUT NOT GENERALLY VIABLE AT SPANS OVER 10M (UNDER TILES)

BRACING

Bracing maximises stiffening and roof truss tension and ensures structural stability.

Typical Roof Brace Design

Where very long cantilevers, portal frames or cases where the roof structure is required to stabilise the walls or other unusual situations, builders should contact us for special detailing.

OTHER CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Gable ladders
Fire breaks
Gable walls
Eaves detailing
Exposed trusses
Air-conditioning ducts and water pipes
Sliding doors

GABLE LADDERS

Gable ladders are used where a roof overhang in excess of 350mm is required at a gable end. The gable ladder should be nailed securely directly to the last truss.

The gable ladder should be evenly supported by gable brickwork. Barge boards and soffits can be nailed directly to the gable ladder.

For gable overhangs in excess of 500mm from the outside face of the wall, we advise builders to contact us for special designs.

FIRE BREAKS

In order to create a fire stop, we recommend fire walls stop just below the tops of the rafters. Where a roof is tiled, we apply specific truss installation procedures. Accurate attention is applied during the design and manufacture process, so that our trusses do not exceed the design spacing of trusses and battens and do not join over a wall.

GABLE WALLS

Where the roof structure is required to support a gable wall we recommend specific installation procedures the necessary additional wind bracing where required.

EAVES DETAILING

We can specify a wide variety of eaves details. Some commonly used details:

EXPOSED TRUSSES

Where the design of a roof especially requires the trusses to e exposed for aesthetic purposes, we clearly indicate this in our design specifications. Any special requirements such as requested truss thickness or finishes should be discussed with us.

AIR-CONDITIONING DUCTS AND WATER PIPES

We custom design and manufacture our roof trusses to provide for ducts and pipes running either vertically or perpendicular to the trusses, based on the mechanical drawings we are supplied with. Our roof truss design systems allow for trusses to be easily designed with passages for air-conditioning ducts.

SLIDING DOORS

We especially design our trusses to carry large sliding doors. We also design and manufacture for unusual size sliding doors, ensuring the door, its weight and maximum deflection is accommodated.

NEED MORE HELP?

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