truss pricing and other brainstorming

[giddonah]

I've been looking for roof truss prices for a bit now and can't find anything. I'd even call, but it's now 8:20pm est and can't find anyone to call anyway. I'm just doing some free thinking about building a big pole barn. I see kits in the $15k-$18k range but I can get full telephone poles installed for cheap (like I'd buy the guy dinner cheap). I'm wondering how to take advantage of this.

How much are trusses? I'm looking for a 30'-40' span. Probably hang some lights from it, but nothing major. New York, so I'll need to plan on a good amount of snow. Can I just get plans for them and make them myself? Any other ideas would be welcomed, this is a brainstorming thread.

[giddonah]

I'm having a hard time believing none of you guys has ever bought trusses before...

I'll look around for a supplier I guess.

[Rich]

Well the project I'm currently working on has trusses - but I can't remember what the cost was - somewhere around $67,000 or so. Doesn't really relate though. The last set of trusses I purchased was 6-7 years ago.

[TnAndy]

Last set I bought ran about 1.50/lin ft. But these were a standard 2x4, 28' span, for 24" centers.

If you're building a pole barn and setting them on 8-12' centers, you'll need a MUCH heavier truss.....the bottom and upper cords will likely be in the 2x8 or more range....read that as a LOT more per truss....the good news is you'll need less of 'em. Wouldn't do much good to speculate on costs around the internet.....call your local truss shop.

[giddonah]

I'm just looking for an idea of what field I'm playing in. If wood trusses alone are going to run me $14k I might as well just buy a kit steel building. I do plan on calling a supplier though. My friend knows someone who runs a truss company, I may give them a call. I see a few people saying they built their own trusses, but I'm not about to start out with a 40' x 60' roof. Maybe a dog house made of balsawood.

[Rich]

We used to build our own trusses until me and my dad were talking to our boss one day - "What happens if one of these trusses that we built fail?" We didn't build any of our own anymore :)

[Sparks]

I just bought a bunch of trusses. The span was 25' with one foot overhang on each side, so 27' total. The pitch was 4/12 outside and 2.5/12 inside, all 2x4 and placed 24" oc. They cost $80 each delivered with hurricane clips included. I know if I could have gotten away with the standard 24' span and flat ceiling I could've got em for $45 each. These are Buffalo, New York prices.

[giddonah]

Nice. That's what I was looking for. I'm over in orange county. Thanks for the info.

[Dragon]

Sorry I can't help but the last truss I used was back in the 80's.

[sgtstew]

I just recently priced 24' W-trusses, 4/12 pitch, all 2 x 4 construction, with rolled splice plates at connections. $49.00 each for 12. Delivery extra.
That's a south Mississippi price.

[giddonah]

I got a quote from Collins Lumber in Kingston (~45min away).
4/12 pitch, 60'x40'span with 6" overhangs at 2' o.c. for $4,932.58 and $5,429.76 for 4' o.c. (he said they would have to be doubled except for the gable ends).

Now I just need a town that will let me build a pole barn and some land to put it on. What would you guys do for a roof? It'll be 5,040 sqft. + a possible 1680 for a hip on the front for cover (making 40'x80' overall). I'm looking at 85 (+53) sheets of plywood (or whatever :wink: ) just for the decking. Anyone ever do a steel or aluminum roof?

This dog may hunt.

[bkrahmer]

$5k seems pretty reasonable to me. I would do them at 2' oc. You're looking at about $3k in steel for panels. With a 40' span, I would probably lean towards using 1x4 or 2x2 purlins at about 24 oc vertically, just for peace of mind. (But I'm not an expert.)