Flying Trusses with the Pros

[@bartramdilks26]

I have walked and stacked many roof systems, these guys did a great job, but let me mention how important the guy on the ground is. sending up the wrong truss is a serious pain. There are few jobs that are as fullfilling as building a roof system as a team. Great job all!!

[@heathowens8581]

Probably the best Ryan's Shed Plans on building a shed is hardly found ever . kzbin.infoUgkxcLVQopTIucrxiVRQA0khLGQEnDVKCSMG And Ryan's takes the mystery out of different types of foundation options, etc. He even shows how to build shed with different designs. Very comprehensive, covering different roofing materials, siding, etc.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

When those mono's, over the garage, lined up perfectly with the upper commons, my heart sang, just a little bit. It's a good day. Great looking roof. A more detailed roofline really does make the house look grand. Looking good, young man!

[@JeremySpidle]

Oh sad, all that roof is just for the "grandness"...

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@JeremySpidle But if all homes were just built for utility, we would all live in cubes... much like the apartments that clutter up our cityscapes. It's all relative and aesthetics have a place in our world. Just my opinion.

[@martinpoulsen6564]

​@@robthewaywardwoodworker9956 So far as I'm concerned, the art of architecture has in most instances been let down by those performing it, as the main purpose, though multi faceted, has to take root in the wellbeing and performing of its inhabitants. Over time this has been diluted into industry standards, prestige projects emulating monuments, more than acting as a building, unwise decisions forced through by the builder contrary to better knowledge and on and on. A true architect has situational, locational and tactile awareness. He knows what he's building, where, for what and for whom, and that is a VERY rare combination to run across these days. It shows in the layout, the material selection and every other little detail throughout the entire project. Where are the rooms situated in relation to the corners of the world, how are the eaves sized, the windows, placement and on and on. You can really shoot yourself in the foot, with a machine gun even, if you're not careful, and think things through. Do it right, and you'll slash running costs by 40-60%. With increased comfort.

[@JeremySpidle]

@robthewaywardwoodworker9956 One man's trash is another man's treasure...

[@sirstickjcs]

Interesting how different people approach things. I haven't seen a truss company with their own crane. Makes a lot of sense to roll up with the trusses on a trailer and take them straight to the roof. Around here, the truss companies dump them on site and you deal with the rest. Going straight from the trailer does make it difficult to do any prep though, usually we would nail sheathing on gable trusses and prep for overhangs before setting. Can't really do that when you have the crane operator waiting on you. At the 6:50 mark when telling the story of other trusses falling, there is a good example of what your framers are not doing to prevent that. Once you have a few trusses set, install a board diagonally across a few trusses. If you read the package that comes with the trusses it tells you to do that and gives the location for the permanent diagonal bracing. Framers are doing a good job with he straps to tie the trusses together, but that doesn't prevent them from falling, it only ensure that if they topple, they would all fall together. You can't rely only on a few end braces with a long run down the middle like that. Looks like a very complicated roof.

[@mtnman6942]

I’ve been building residences for 52 years ( in British Columbia) and I’ve never seen the metal truss spacers, an excellent option to 1x4 👍. Awesome job, excellent crew 😎👍👍

[@badlandskid]

Truss-Lok makes a reusable, folding metal spacer system that is the cats meow.

[@katdeskinner]

Brings back memories of my brother stacking and me on boom truck. Two stories up.

[@michaelcarroll991]

So much better hearing from Nate.

[@donSparda]

Gotta give you credit man. you have come far since the first time i saw these videos. Also..the playful music is also used by Shawn James/My Self Reliance. HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING HIS CHANNEL!!!!

[@hammerhead19able]

Balls of steel!! Stand high up on 2 story house. Amazing!!

[@fromulus]

That is an absurd amount of trusses of varying dimensions. Awesome.

[@oelschlegel]

Forgive me if I missed it, but I didn't hear Nate say it so thought I'd say it: "Keep up the good work." This simple phrase is extremely motivating and is worth repeating. All of you in the comments, your hard work is frequently underappreciated by those who don't recognize its importance. Every man needs to hear this, especially younger men on your crew and under your watch.

[@georgewelker853]

I love my flat rubber roof!! Simple, maintain-able and useful for stuff like AC units

[@shaunybonny688]

In northwestern AZ we call it crane day, and it is big deal. always a stress relief when it goes smooth.

[@outfitr9703]

My first house, 3/12 pitch so I could have a long overhang/eve. One story, no crane, myself and one other guy stood all trusses by hand and sheeted it one day. 1800 sq. ft. home.

[@donwilliams3626]

It is incredible when you see a plan come together! Nice teamwork.

[@FarmsteadForge]

That roof looks crazy complicated.I just built a shop with 16' sidewalls and the contractor was walking around up there like a cat and that is definitely not for me - so I was glad to have hired that part out! Exciting to see your home coming together.

[@arubaguy2733]

I can't imagine the amount of designing, planning, and 3D modeling that went into this incredibly complex roof before the first stick of wood was cut. Looking forward to watching the sheathing and shingling to come. Thank you, EC & EC2 for the great work in bringing us these videos. I can tell Nate is really into providing us with extremely high quality imagery. The drone shots are especially nice. Never would have been possible before smart steady drones/cams.This type of "footage" used to require costly helicopters. When we sold our 40-acre farm last year, the realtor used drone shots to show the property overview and features. Impressive.

[@michaelheemstra3559]

As a roof and floor truss designer, in my opinion the design time depends far more on the quality of the plans than the complexity of the roof. However, assuming the plans are or reasonable quality a roof package like that would take about a half a day.

[@michael-michaelmotorcycle]

And the MATH, don’t forget the MATH involved 🤯🙃

[@billdodson207]

Awesome and helpful video. But I see so many intersections where water sealing probably needs to be extra extra good. Thank you so much for filming this incredible roof!

[@dmtadventures7044]

Alan Mascord has an amazing ability to design some beautiful houses. I finished our Mascord house in 2021 and had nightmares the day before flying trusses. While not as large, it was equally complicated. Very pleased with the finished product. Looking good 👍

[@1eyedot]

This video seemed to fly by as I was so enjoying it and whats that old entertainment saying, `leave em wanting more`, more please.

[@dremwolf5419]

Many decades ago I worked in a truss plant. Some of the stuff we produced were wild looking. Most interesting was for a church. We had to assemble them on the ground versus using the assembly tables as they were so large.

[@jackmiyamoto5270]

You get great appreciation for the skill and courage of the craftsman who do this everyday and live to tell about it. Skilled labor is hard to find and then you add the element of height and you gain an entire new appreciation of these folks. Great video, although a bit stressful to watch.

[@hibiki54]

Truss design is all about triangulation. The bigger and wider the truss, the more triangles you need to distribute weight to prevent the truss from flexing and shearing itself apart. If you take a popsicle stick, you can bend it length wise and snap it. If you add two and form a triangle its still easy to snap but you need a bit more effort. Add one more in the middle to form 2 right angles and it's harder to flex and break. Add 2 more to form 2 sets of right angles for a total of 4 and you significantly strengthen the entire form. For trusses, you adjust the size and shape of those triangles to place the pressure on the outside.

[@benranner6359]

As someone in the UK I find it really odd that construction in America has so few safety processes... Work at height, Lifting and site management systems would all be applied in the UK (and we're the ones with free heath care!)

[@WayneSmith-yf3fg]

Here @ Sussexcountydehabitat our crane guy uses a hook instead of a cable on the trusses. That way it's easier to unhook and faster. We had a squal come thru before we finished bracing once and blew over the entire roof stack. From the look of this it appears that you are going to have some crazy vallies for water to run off of the roof. Good Luck!

[@smally8499234]

This is a lot easier than the way we do it in Australia, here the crane lays all the packs of trusses in certain spots on the frames, then you have to walk along the top plates and stand the trusses one by one and carry them in position.

[@chuckb470]

I'm not far from these guys, and many things are similar, but in over 30 years, I've rarely set the trusses one by one; usually how you describe it. I suspect that the reason they stood them one by one is that they're simply too tall and the layout is too complex to do it any other way. Cheers!

[@smally8499234]

@@chuckb470 I worked on a house last year where the main open plan area was 15m (about 50 feet) across and the trusses were 10m (about 32 feet) tall and we had to stand them by hand standing on opposite top plates. The first few were sketchy as and were swaying all over the place. Worse still they were steel trusses which bend and flex far more than timber.

[@chuckb470]

@@smally8499234 That's ridiculous! If there was a time for setting them one by one with a crane, that would be it!

[@smally8499234]

@@chuckb470 The worst part was climbing the swaying truss with nothing to catch you other than a concrete slab two stories below to secure the bracing, it was more than a little terrifying.

[@andrewalexander9492]

They do it that way in the US sometimes too.

[@marknolan2799]

When I framed 30 years ago, the crane would set the bundle on one end and we would nail the ridge blocks on each truss. Then we would just walk them down . The blocks would be hanging on the wall beforehand so we could reach down and nail the truss in place. It was so dangerous. I'm glad safe work practices are now standard. Back then, framers were considered to be a dime a dozen.

[@martinpoulsen6564]

Wow... 36 different... Without any hips! 😮 Anyways... The way I've heard and used the terms, stacking relates to the more manual kind of hand cut roofs, like most of the spec house, where flying is more of a prefab type deal, like these trusses, where most of the work happens on the hook. As for stuff toppling over: always get your triangles in there for support, even if just temporary until the roof diaphragm takes over. Plywood and OSB sheets might very well be rectangular, but the strength is built in triangles. If all of the bracing only crosses the trusses in the same direction, there is a very strong likelihood it will wind up in a flat pile before the sheething takes place. If on the other hand everything is braced sufficiently, you can hoist the entire roof, or at least in sections.

[@davidquirk8097]

Great job by all concerned. Glad it went off without incident.

[@matteberry58]

This roof system is mind boggling. The roofers will also have a good time moving around in safety harnesses.

[@andrewjames7616]

Thankyou 👍

[@Newt0n_Jr]

Nice to see how the industrialization of building came along. Here in Brazil, masonry houses with concrete ceilings and trusses laying on top off the concrete slab ceiling, and trusses are made in site (which makes construction very slow), usually metal roof sheets, no roof shingles.

[@chslts]

Why did you design it so the roof off the dormers sheds snow/ rain right in front of the garage doors? !

[@mayhemmayo]

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

[@dabruscar]

Smooth work guys

[@Jaceun]

Shout out to the video editor for the Super Mario power up sound at the crane extension @ ~5:56. Keep doing you!

[@jacquipaper]

You are do right to recognise their skill, experience and effortless work. Jess, us probably like a Swan graceful on top and paddling like mad under the surface. I can't wait to see what you are going to do for the electrics and wiring.

[@sebastienlalancette1]

St 9:38, the exact term you search for is "axial load"

[@keithparady2594]

Good job guys

[@LifeontheMoose]

Great video! I enjoy learning from you guys. Even though I thought I was too old! 😬

[@billk8780]

"The House of the Seven Gables" has nothing on yours! Looks most excellent!

[@Steven-cr8ju]

Surprising to see a new house with a roof flowing down to a vertical wall.

[@cafecybernz]

Until watching videos of this house built, I never quite realised how strict and beneficial Health & Safety requirements now are in the country where I currently work. Even on a residential housing worksite, no contractor would dare coming in without a hard hat, high-visibility vest, ears and eyes protections, or steel-cap boots. And 'working at height' has its own subset of rules ensuring that nobody would put their life at risk by installing trusses without proper fall protection. This is not a critic of these guys shown hard at work here, more an illustration of the difference in risk assessment and risk acceptance that a particular society puts its own builders through (Until very recently New Zealand had horrific stats for workplace accidents.)

[@z06doc86]

What an impressive roof this is going to be!

[@keithparady2594]

It is one of those jobs where u definitely have to be paying attention to alot of different scenarios that could go wrong it looks like those guys have been working together for awhile Thanks for another great video keep up the good work

[@TsiRoadkill]

Where do you get those metal straps for spacing? I always use 1x4 but thise look slick.

[@RoninCC]

11:56 the neighbor is growing the next Macy's Day Parade Christmas tree

[@johnsrabe]

Hard … but I bet they enjoy the challenge. When it’s done, it’ll be another great calling card for them.

[@TheBuilderdad]

You really need to film a crew that stacks trusses on the ground. They are doing the same job you just filmed, but in a completely different way. It’s very interesting

[@tristanconnolly5675]

Nice.

[@murraysheppard1153]

Thank you..I do this, don't get a lot of thanks!

[@larryfowler4558]

Amazing!

[@AlanTheBeast100]

Tension / Compression. Think of the two "top rafters". If that is all there was, it would want to "flatten" and even push the walls out (if attached). Put one string[1] (board) across the base and fasten - and that board will be in tension - preventing the spread and making the load on the walls below perfectly vertical. Walls won't push out. The actual webbing in more complex trusses (as here) has some elements in tension and some in compression. To be sure - this whole thing gets really strong when the sheeting goes on. [1] That bottom board across could (in a simple triangle truss) be replaced by a steel cable in tension.

[@gtbkts]

Thanks for the awesome content and great videos!!!

[@james2195100]

That’s a lot of crane time ! $$$ !!!

[@VanHalen2TheTop]

3:55 we built a duplex then had every truss for both units show up at least 8 inches short couldnt even cheat them onto the walls had to go build a whole new house before the truss manufacturers fixed it

[@eduardodedios8213]

How many sq/ft is your home? How much was the framing? How much did the trusses job? You are doing an awesome job, thanks for sharing!

[@Z-Bart]

I have a sneaky feeling your dad was happy to sit this roof out. 😁

[@mintslice2214]

the trusses are designed to transfer roof loads down onto the walls/hangers they sit on/in

[@jlm08742]

No matter how complicated the truss design is, still easy easier than stick framing a roof that's that "cut up"!!

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

I wish trusses were used here in Texas. Here the architects like goofy shaped houses with lots of hips and valleys and everything has to be stick framed. Trusses are used but it's very rare to see them used currently. Some were used back in the 70s though. There was a large funeral home being built here where they used lots of massive trusses and the bracing instructions from the manufacturer were not followed which ended up in a large collapse. I believe there was one fatality in the collapse as well. Your roof system is actually pretty simple compared to how they are designed here in TX...

[@janderson8401]

Your example of the funeral home that collapsed would explain the reluctance to use trusses in your particular area. Seemed like for a while architects in Connecticut were having an ongoing competition to see who could design the fanciest roof.

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

@@janderson8401 The main reason they aren't used here is that they are more expensive than stick framing and cranes are more expensive than labor and houses aren't square here so they just don't work well on the shape houses here. After the 70s houses were no longer built square or rectangle. If there aren't at least 8 valleys on a roof you aren't trying hard enough. I love trusses on a square house because nothing inside is a load bearing wall. Here we have to do allot of looking and inspection to figure out what is bearing and then how to work around it when it is bearing. Basically most houses here all walls are load bearing. Then older houses had 2x4 ceiling joists but those weren't the same a lumber today as they are nearly as heavy and hard as oak.

[@jej3451]

Trusses are extremely common in new construction in Texas.

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

@@jej3451 I'm in DFW and I never see trusses anywhere except for the odd commercial building that has to look more like a house than commercial. Everything I see is all stick framed. Now I don't spend much time on the NE side of Dallas anymore so I'm not sure what's going on there.

[@jej3451]

@@theinfernalcraftsman In Austin they are ubiquitous.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Crane operators usually get paid good money because they are required to move stuff they can not see and not get other people hurt or killed and to not damage stuff. I know some people think complicated roofs are a great thing but I do not. I would prefer a simple square or rectangular roof with all of the trusses the same and set the same way. You might end up with taller ceilings or some extra storage space, but that, along with greater high wind resistance, would actually be a benefit of a simpler and less expensive roof.

[@tillerjets]

This busy roof is what I’ve known to be called a “cut up roof” meaning several valleys, pitch changes, etc

[@onjofilms]

Yes, your dad gave me the idea I can fly my own trusses. Which I'll be doing in about 6 months. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@arresthillary9502]

Send us so e photos of your body cast

[@24revealer]

7:00 I'm surprised there is no diagonal bracing going on. That would help stop the domino effect. 11:25 hope you are putting a steel roof on this an not shingles.....

[@andrewalexander9492]

1:42 3:15 3:57 Please tell me that you don't have roof pitches which die into a vertical wall.

[@Kincentc]

Been flying trusses all my life, explanation incoming: A roof is designed as a system. Every truss is a member of the team. If one fails, they all fail. They work as a team by distributing live and dead loads via simple physics. You can view an individual truss as an assembly of triangles. Triangles are incredibly strong shapes. So when you take a full set of trusses, and sheet the roof deck solid, and brace the bottom chords/webbing with lateral braces, they resist any sideways movement and only disperse stress/weight in tension/compression of the individual webs/chords. I've seen these forces as high as 18k pounds of tension! Gang plates are incredibly strong metal fasteners.

[@haynesdarlington792]

Hi, I enjoy watching your podcasts. Do you ever post any work using ICF forms? Thanks

[@HebrewsTen14]

Most truss companies here wont crane each truss, we stack bundles upright and brace them off

[@jum5238]

EEK! I see some trusses where water will be routed straight into a vertical wall. Looks like a maintenance and flooding nightmare.

[@we3k1ngs12]

Do you have a cost analysis on your build available?

[@danoberste8146]

We called the trusses at the end of the gable section that were outside of the plane of the end wall "flying trusses"

[@clydedecker765]

THAT is the most complicated roof truss system I have ever seen put together. SO MANY angles and peaks. The designer/architect must have had many sleepless nights and math-mares.... I think I would have just settled for something simple like a large dome...The plywood coverings and shingling(or whatever) will be no less dangerous or complicated.

[@blackhannahofficial]

Your dad is the bomb ❕ You gotta be proud to have a pops like him. Much respect

[@gustavmuller30]

Thank you for your this informative video and the spec house series on the "birth" of a building/structure. I wonder whether you would be interested in visiting the Rebuilding Centre in Portland, Oregon? They provide reclaimed construction materials and interior fittings to people working in the built environment following the "death" of a building. Perhaps something like your visit to the Leatherman factory.

[@Kelvallontan]

Very interesting video, with skilled tradesmen. However, whoever designed the roof made it incredibly complex. And if I'm allowed to say, unnecessarily so. Lots of lost space with the" breaks" and "forward rooms" everywhere too.

[@jej3451]

You may not be considering a factor that the truss designer considered: Allowing people to move around easily in the attic.

[@steveuible5915]

Complexity usually leads to future problems and additional costs. I’m surprised that Nate would go to something like that. He seems like a practical and common sense person.

[@jej3451]

@@steveuible5915 By that logic, we should all live in cubical, windowless houses made of welded sheet steel. Can't get much simpler than that.

[@firesurfer]

You haven't lived until you stand on a plank in an elevator shaft 40 floors up. The rule is, don't look down if you can help it. The bottom is just a black hole.

[@anonymous..-]

How do you mitigate truss uplift separating drywall seams years later?

[@sirstickjcs]

Hurricane ties. A metal bracket that attaches every truss to the top plates, there is also structural screws that accomplish the same thing.

[@anonymous..-]

I don’t think trusses are supposed to attached non load bearing walls without allowing them to move and drywallers have to know nailing patters so that drywall flex is allowed. Otherwise the truss will just pull up the top plate and still result in drywall seams pulling away. I see drywall issues all of the time on truss homes with non-conditioned attics. Lots of truss builders on KZbin never cover this and they are long gone when ceiling to wall gaps start showing up.

[@tMatt5M]

I'm afraid this will have the typical chaotic mcmansion look

[@KrisV385]

Was that a Shawn James tribute with the music?

[@tomp538]

I can't wait to see the water proofing & roof materials being installed. Still think an elevator should have been installed.

[@laurensplompen]

Maybe someone can enlighten me but I don't really understand why roofs are built that way in the USA. Most every truss you see in the video is going to be inside the bubble of the house but is not usable space. Or is it used for storage? Over here in Europe we would never *dream* of letting so much volume go to waste. Here, a roof has a certain thickness (wood frame, insulation, roof covering, etc) but everything inside that is usable volume. You can have an attic directly under your roof, or a bedroom, a hobby room, whatever. With the truss system, everything between the top cord and the bottom cord is just empty space in the final building (except for ducting etc).

[@jej3451]

If we want a third story, we just add a third story. Trusses make stronger, lighter roofs with a lower cost than a traditional wooden shell. Dream big, Europeans! You, too, can optimize your building methods to achieve greater value.

[@laurensplompen]

@@jej3451 Whoa, a third story makes for a very different house profile which might not be a good match for the surrounding landscape. Not to mention, adding a third story adds way more other costs than what is saved by a cheaper roofing system. Anyway, it was just a remark, I'm sure there are a bunch of factors that influence which methods people use to build their houses, and apparently USA landed on wood frame and truss roof. It's fine!

[@chuckb470]

Lauren; I suspect it has to do with geography. In the States, if we want a bigger house, we just buy a bigger property. 😁 2 1/2 to 5-acre (10-20k sq meters) lots are pretty common.

[@davedarling6512]

faster to put up a building and less carpentry skill required on simpler roofs. Smaller, cheaper lumber can be used. The truss area will not likely be inside the house bubble.

[@choimdachoim9491]

Early in the video...I've never seen this version of Queen-type trusses.

[@chuckb470]

Fall protection?? Hard hats?? Lol. I'm right there with you though. Fortunately you didn't give any incriminating information for OSHA to track you down. 😉 I've flown more than my share of trusses, and think you guys did a great job. Rarely flown them one by one like that, but with that system, I dont suppose you had much choice.

[@bhami]

Looking at the completed house, somebody might be tempted to say "lots of attic space", but it's largely unusable with all those chord members inside the trusses.

[@kirkyorg7654]

quite the jigsaw of a roof

[@scottyelder8351]

Triangles are strong " Statement.

[@owentravis3519]

Watch some ironworkers, and then think again about being nervous for them. My daily life

[@TheUncleRuckus]

As someone who lives and builds houses on the east coast no usable basement or attic is an odd way to go for me.

[@BWIL2515]

Man the architect cut this roof system up great job the framers had a tough job the metal span's on the top of the trusses I've don't remember seeing before I dunno looks like a lot of additional work to be done

[@mattv5281]

How much do these ultra complicated roofs add to the cost of a house? It seems like every $1m+ house is being built that way. I don't even think they look good most of the time, like someone took a regular house and blew it up like a balloon, and it started bulging out in random parts of the roof. I haven't seen this one complete with sheathing yet, but it looks good so far.

[@madman432000]

What started this crazy design philosophy of multiple roof lines and pitches? I see a pitched roof butting into a vertical wall so there is a place to capture debris and makes water more difficult to run off. I just eliminated a flat valley on my house that was a leak problem for a while, there were several attempts to fix it before I even bought the house. On this house it looks like a problem area to me and especially so in the PNW. Going to be a nightmare to roof that house.

[@sirstickjcs]

You're right. I have no idea why anyone ever looked at a house and thought to add thousands of dollars to the cost to build, while at the same time adding problem areas.

[@Kelvallontan]

I agree. Every junction point is a weak point, and there are tons of them out here. They will also collect dirt and debris over the time. Oh well, I'm not the one paying for the extra to build and maintain this roof.

[@andrewalexander9492]

Yeah, when I first saw the roof pitch dying into a vertical wall, I thought "surely not, surely I'm not seeing this correctly. Watched the whole video and never saw anything that indicated it was anything but just that: A roof pitch butting up against a vertical wall. I'd fire that architect.

[@davedarling6512]

@@andrewalexander9492 There has to be more to it.. Perhaps a fill in running the roof plane in a different direction

[@andrewalexander9492]

@@davedarling6512 Yeah maybe it will make sense once it’s all framed in, but it looks bad in this video.

[@machielhoogenes3158]

Beautiful work everyone. I am from holland so forgive me for asking. If you build youre roofs like this with all the webbing , you dont gain verry much living space on second floor why build the high pitch roof then? It lookss amazing but seems a bit costly for looks only. Kind regards machiel

[@justycrusty]

Nice to see it all go on without too much drama. How on earth are you allowed to continue with no scaffolding? In the UK, this job would be stopped by Health &Safety 🤔

[@pawekedzior1402]

what music is it in the video?

[@2tana22]

Complicated is right! Will thought out,, super fast framing install….

[@stevenbastian3882]

What do they call those wooden sticks with metal bricks attached at the end? And why are beating those expensive trusses with them? And where are the guys with the nail guns?

[@markb.1259]

Excellent video Nate!! Why in the world weren't they banging with battery powered hammers?? lol

[@bertbergers9171]

I have been watching a lot of US house building channels for some years now, and i do love a nice roof. But being Dutch, we love to combine use with looks. I cannot understand how making a house that much more expensive, by adding all these do-dads and what's-nots on the roof, is attractive to a home-owner, who doesn't get any (or much, i think i saw the start of a cathedral like ceiling over the centre room being built into the truss, which is cool but not usefull again) usable attic space for it. It looks to me as the archtitects are competing with eachother to build the most different levels and hips and valleys into their customers roof so they can have one more then their neighbours. Does US code prevent you from having livable or even just usable space above wall top-plates? I am just really curious what is going on here!?

[@kennethbarber438]

yes, a lot of wasted no-attic space, which I don't understand.

[@ringerson4x4]

I’m kinda surprised those guys weren’t using nail guns, it was all hammer swinging.

[@badlandskid]

Hoses are a nightmare when setting trusses. Even hose-less nailers are a pain to manage when a crane is swinging trusses. We always hand nailed the trusses initially. Then go back after and put the ties on with a positive placement nail gun.

[@TsiRoadkill]

Most of the time there's a metal gang plate right where you have to nail through and nail guns don't really like doing that.