Truss floors are a great idea for the reasons covered in the video. They don't get enough attention. There should be more videos on this topic. Thanks for doing this video!
I agree. I learned that you can also stiffen up a open web joist by adding a 2x6 90 degrees through the truss webs. So much to learn, so little time. ☺💝
Great video. I suspect that most of it went right over many viewers heads. I used a lot of open web floor trusses in Texas. The ability of the truss company engineers to optimize material usage in trusses by using different grades of lumber is worthy of a whole video, or even series of videos in itself. Changing lumber grades, doubling plates in compression members, all work to increase strength in a given truss height. For economy's sake, some compression members also drop down in lumber grades. Interestingly, in motel construction, in order to maintain the truss depth that I wanted, we frequently went with a 19.2" spacing.
Steve, you and Big Red are a great team! When you are finished making a point or two using your drawings that get marked up, I take a screen shot and add it to the document I am preparing that has details to discuss with the builder for the 2.4 story ICF basement foundation...that will have Open Web joists with a span of 20. 11 7/8 depth appears to be the rule but you just taught to discuss with the truss makers to lower the depth with the tricks you showed. Why? Because like you pointed out, the balance between the basement floor to ground or in my case, the existing basement floor to the new addition basement floor and wanting a ICF basement ceiling high enough for my "woman cave workshop." Lots to learn in your presentation...thank you so so much!🙏🇨🇦
Steve! Once again another really relevant part of building science. Not too much on youtube to teach us about particulars about these open web trusses. Believe it or not the ICF basement extension planned for 2025, lord permitting😳🙃, will have open web joists for 20 foot long. I do not know too much about it apart from the OWJ tables for depth to length. Thank you so much for this. If you have another one on this topic I would appreciate hearing more from you on this topic of open web joists. I will be the one having a conversation with the truss company who will build these so having the language you can teach us would be deeply relevant and appreciated. I was planning on building 24oc. Cheers from Atlantic Canada, Prince Edward Island💝🇨🇦☺
Steve, I have been trying to find some info on blocking open trusses below a parallel load bearing wall on the sub floor above. Used to wood on 16 centers, not hard to add support, block- but these are trusses on 19.2 centers. Can't see not providing some support under the sub floor to the trusses. Advice?
Two questions for you. 1. In your experience, what floor deflection rating satisfies your most discerning clients? 2. What special planning is needed to account for the massive weight of a large island w/ quartz countertop + four stools + four people? That could be 2500 lbs in a concentrated area.
This is a super informative video. I was a mechanical engineer in college and for a few years. Great explanation, and wood trusses were not part of my training. Love this.
I am looking at building a building with a 40' wide x 60' deep room slab on grade and I want to have clear span second floor above this space. Is there a way to design this with no supports in the first floor room?
I am a person who is trying to build a floor truss myself. I would appreciate it if you could tell me the minimum thickness of the floor truss nail plate.
The trusses that tie into the girder the hangers seem to not allow all fasterers to be used because all holes don't land on wood space.. I am running into something similar with 2x6 floor joists at the end of building 43" span. Is a ledger required in this instance? Or are all fasteners not required on hangers??
you probably don't need this answer any more but typically you would use whats called a "top mount hanger" that only has nails that go through the top of the beam/girder.
What gets me about these builders is they call 24” OC framing “advanced framing” and charge you more versus standard 16” OC that requires more material and labor. Some builders are like used car salesman.
Are floor joists able to be cut? For example I want to remove a center load bering wall and replace with a beam. Can the trusses be augmented or cut to accommodate the thickness of the beam and tie into it?
Truss floors are a great idea for the reasons covered in the video. They don't get enough attention. There should be more videos on this topic. Thanks for doing this video!
I agree. I learned that you can also stiffen up a open web joist by adding a 2x6 90 degrees through the truss webs. So much to learn, so little time. ☺💝
Great video. I suspect that most of it went right over many viewers heads. I used a lot of open web floor trusses in Texas. The ability of the truss company engineers to optimize material usage in trusses by using different grades of lumber is worthy of a whole video, or even series of videos in itself. Changing lumber grades, doubling plates in compression members, all work to increase strength in a given truss height. For economy's sake, some compression members also drop down in lumber grades. Interestingly, in motel construction, in order to maintain the truss depth that I wanted, we frequently went with a 19.2" spacing.
Steve, you and Big Red are a great team! When you are finished making a point or two using your drawings that
get marked up, I take a screen shot and add it to the document I am preparing that has details to discuss with the builder for the 2.4 story ICF basement foundation...that will have Open Web joists with a span of 20. 11 7/8 depth appears to be the rule but you just taught to discuss with the truss makers to lower the depth with the tricks you showed. Why? Because like you pointed out, the balance between the basement floor to ground or in my case, the existing basement floor to the new addition basement floor and wanting a ICF basement ceiling high enough for my "woman cave workshop." Lots to learn in your presentation...thank you so so much!🙏🇨🇦
A video on how this would fit in with a BFS ReadyFrame package would also be interesting.
@Steven Baczek Architect Thank you, Steve...very informative!!! Liked#11 and Subscribed!!!
Great explanation of the intricate details and options between size and grade.
In depth analysis fantastic !
Steve! Once again another really relevant part of building science. Not too much on youtube to teach us about particulars about these open web trusses. Believe it or not the ICF basement extension planned for 2025, lord permitting😳🙃, will have open web joists for 20 foot long. I do not know too much about it apart from the OWJ tables for depth to length. Thank you so much for this. If you have another one on this topic I would appreciate hearing more from you on this topic of open web joists. I will be the one having a conversation with the truss company who will build these so having the language you can teach us would be deeply relevant and appreciated. I was planning on building 24oc. Cheers from Atlantic Canada, Prince Edward Island💝🇨🇦☺
Could also do steel truss for the floor if you want to fly that 30' dimension in the clear and not go 24" deep.
Don't mess with Master Steve when he's got his stick.
Steve, I have been trying to find some info on blocking open trusses below a parallel load bearing wall on the sub floor above. Used to wood on 16 centers, not hard to add support, block- but these are trusses on 19.2 centers. Can't see not providing some support under the sub floor to the trusses. Advice?
Pure gold here!! Thank you.
Two questions for you.
1. In your experience, what floor deflection rating satisfies your most discerning clients?
2. What special planning is needed to account for the massive weight of a large island w/ quartz countertop + four stools + four people? That could be 2500 lbs in a concentrated area.
This is a super informative video. I was a mechanical engineer in college and for a few years. Great explanation, and wood trusses were not part of my training. Love this.
I hadn't noticed those double top/double bot ones before recently, doubled up its like having 4!!!
It will be awesome. If you could share those drawings, if we could download the PDFs.
Thanks, Steve !
I am looking at building a building with a 40' wide x 60' deep room slab on grade and I want to have clear span second floor above this space. Is there a way to design this with no supports in the first floor room?
I am a person who is trying to build a floor truss myself. I would appreciate it if you could tell me the minimum thickness of the floor truss nail plate.
The trusses that tie into the girder the hangers seem to not allow all fasterers to be used because all holes don't land on wood space.. I am running into something similar with 2x6 floor joists at the end of building 43" span. Is a ledger required in this instance? Or are all fasteners not required on hangers??
you probably don't need this answer any more but typically you would use whats called a "top mount hanger" that only has nails that go through the top of the beam/girder.
What gets me about these builders is they call 24” OC framing “advanced framing” and charge you more versus standard 16” OC that requires more material and labor. Some builders are like used car salesman.
Great video
Are floor joists able to be cut? For example I want to remove a center load bering wall and replace with a beam. Can the trusses be augmented or cut to accommodate the thickness of the beam and tie into it?
Hi @stevebaczek, I walked on a open web truss floor the other day and it was bouncy. How do you eliminate the bounce? Strength?
You have to request better deflection to the manufacturer, even though they are allowed per code you can request more stiffness
Informative video.. . I'm a truss designer it's a pleasure if I can help in any case of trusses designing
When to use steel beams. Can it be all trusses and girder trusses ?
Good info
When to use tele posts and when wood posts are enough?
can these be used for a roof/// a 3/12 pitch?
They can do parallel chord vaulted trusses. Pretty sweet. Give you more ceiling height than a scissor truss
Talks about trusses while having waste piping attached to the wall behind him.