Bracing between trusses

5 years ago

Hi-

I'm doing some design on a screened porch, and I'm wondering about the bracing between one pair of trusses.

You can see in the photo a few perpendicular braces spanning just two trusses. My question is, is it possible that they were put there not as roof construction, but only to strengthen the trusses for the shake of a ceiling fan? Also, could these braces be removed (the fan is being removed)?

Ideally we would like to not have these braces if they have no purpose. This is the only place on the structure that has these. There will be no ceiling installed, it will remain open just like in the photo.

I appreciate any help, thanks!! -William

Featured Answer

millworkman

5 years ago

Those appear to me to be almost site built trusses and I do believe you are correct that that blocking / bracing was put in inclusively for the ceiling fan and that you should be able to remove them with the ceiling.

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Comments (10)

Seabornman
5 years ago
The good: those braces probably have no structural function. The bad: those are homemade trusses with plywood gussets. If they were manufactured, they would have had bracing, usually running the whole length of the house and located above the bottom chord, and at some of the diagonals. You could probably find a truss drawing on-line that you could see appropriate bracing.
willjj thanked Seabornman
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3onthetree
5 years ago
Ditto both comments. You should see the bottom portion of each truss tied together (the sheathing takes care of the top) to prevent lateral movement. You will see as already mentioned on the bottom chord and web chords.
willjj thanked 3onthetree
willjj
Original Author
5 years ago
To millworkman, Seabornman and 3onthetree,

Thanks for the input! It helps a lot.

It's a werid space and yeah definitely don;t look like manufactured trusses, I haven't really seen gussets that look so primitive, I'll look into some additional lengthwise bracing for lateral strength. Seems like it could use something that it doesn't have right now,

This is a weird space all around, the original garage was divided into what is now garage and screened porch. The garage is very wide, still has an old garage door, but now is too short that no car could possibly fit.
cat_ky
5 years ago
I love screen rooms, but, I would like a full sized usable garage more. Can you just remove it and put that area back into being a garage, and build a new screened in room behind it.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Looks like a conventionally stick framed roof to me; no trusses.
willjj
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi cat_ky, no I'm stuck with the walls as is. I'd prefer a large garage too but up for this challenge. And the back yard is way too small to have a porch go further into the yard.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
5 years ago
I'll add my vote for site-fabricated (home made) trusses. Not stick framed.
willjj thanked Charles Ross Homes
catinthehat
5 years ago
They are “trusses”, but as Charles mentioned, homemade. Homemade trusses are not engineered and generally underperform their prefab counterparts. That said better than nothing and if your roof is still flat it is more than likely doing its job. The bracing can be removed, beautiful space.
willjj thanked catinthehat
cat_ky
5 years ago
Well, as long as you intend to keep it, I would insulate the ceiling, and put drywall on it, those rafters are not all that attractive, to be viewing while you are enjoying your sunroom. The insulation will keep it a bit cooler too.
willjj thanked cat_ky