The original purpose of a raised heel truss was to allow roof lines to match up for improved curb appeal.
Imformation on raised heal roof truss.
A raised heel truss is much like it sounds.
Raised heel trusses differ from their conventional truss counterparts in that they are fitted with a heel where the bottom chord intersects with the perimeter wall plate which raises the top chord.
Note the extra height at the heel of the raised heel truss right compared to the conventional truss left.
While this article focuses on configurations we also have a very cool set of illustrations showcasing the different parts anatomy of roof trusses.
Just as there are many types of roofs with many roof parts there are many different types of roof trusses this extensive article explains through a series of custom truss diagrams the different truss configurations you can use for various roofs.
The heel of a conventional plated roof truss where the bottom chord intersects with and bears on the perimeter wall plate and is fitted with a vertical member that literally raises the top chord of the truss.
Installing raised heel trusses.
Now this is nothing new.
The heel of a conventional metal plated roof truss where the bottom chord intersects with and bears on the perimeter pole building wall columns and is fitted with a vertical member which literally raises the top chord of the truss.
That s a lot better than 4 and it makes the attic insulation overall much closer if not equal to the flat side of things than the lumpy side.
A raised heel truss is much like it sounds.
You can get about 15 of space for insulation in raised heel trusses.
The top of the top chord is 20 above our top plate.
Energy savings based on an analysis of homes located in climate zones 2 8.
Overlapping heels of trusses with wall sheathing saves money continuous plywood or osb sheathing can completely eliminate code required blocking saving time and expense provided that the requirements in section r602 10 8 2 of the 2015 international residential code.
Average energy savings of a raised heel truss home compared to a home with standard roof trusses insulated in accordance with table r402 1 2 and section r402 2 1 of the 2015 iecc.
Raised heel trusses are installed the same way as conventional trusses so no special tools or know how is needed to build them.
The engineered wood association raised heel trusses with vent baffles provide more room for insulation over the exterior wall.
But if the top chord of the roof truss only passes 6 inches above the wall plate there s no room for that much insulation at that location.