Notched Top Chords On Gable Ends
Question:
The industry suggests notching the gable end truss to support the overhang. Is this wise? What about a structural gable, or a gable designed with drag loads, or one with only partial bearing? How safe is it for a framer working with a truss that has the top chord cut repeatedly?
Answer:
The notched top chord should not be used for structural gable ends, drag struts or partial bearing trusses. The only exceptions are trusses that have been analyzed and sealed by a truss engineer who has taken the notched top chord into account.
A better option is to use a drop top chord gable end detail, which allows the out-lookers to be installed on edge and cantilevered back to the top chord of the second-to-last truss. This produces a much stronger rake overhang and is a much easier installation than notching. There is a diagram of this detail in SBCA’s Engineering Components for Efficient Framing brochure and in SBCA’s BCSI-B3 Summary Sheet.