14/08/2026
Ten Examples of Trussed Roofs 🏠🪵
Roof trusses can be adapted to different roofing materials, pitches, spans, and architectural requirements. This historic reference illustrates several traditional timber truss arrangements and how the framing changes with the roof covering and pitch.
Key Roof Truss Examples:
• A — Pantile Roof: Traditional timber truss arrangement designed for pantile roofing.
• B — Pediment Pitch: Example showing different pitch proportions for the roof profile.
• C — Slate Roof: Truss arrangement adapted for a slate-covered roof.
• D — Plain Tile Roof: Traditional truss with supporting internal members for tile loading.
• E — Contracted Roof: Reduced roof arrangement with a sub-beam supporting the pitched members.
• F — Double/M-Roof: Multi-bay arrangement using repeated truss sections.
• G — Treble Roof: Deeper internal framing creating a stronger traditional roof profile.
• H — Quadruple Roof: Extended multi-bay truss with repeated curved and vertical supports.
• I — Flat Roof: Low-pitch roof arrangement with progressively changing pitch points.
• J — True Pitch: Higher-pitch configuration illustrating how roof geometry changes across the framing system.
The main lesson is that roof pitch and roof covering influence the structural arrangement. Timber members, ties, struts, and intermediate supports work together to transfer roof loads toward the supporting walls.
These historic examples show how builders developed different truss forms for pantile, plain tile, slate, contracted roofs, and multi-bay structures.
Important: These are historical/illustrative framing examples, not construction-ready engineering details. Modern trusses require verification for span, timber grade, dead load, live load, snow/wind loads, connections, bracing, and applicable local building codes.
Which design would you choose for a traditional timber building — A through J?