Ordering timber trusses: 7 things most suppliers will not tell you

Ordering timber trusses is not like ordering lumber. Every truss is custom, every project has different load requirements, and there are details that can cost you thousands of dollars if you discover them too late. Most of those details never make it into a sales brochure.¹

This guide covers seven things that experienced timber truss manufacturers know but rarely explain up front. If you are planning a project that includes exposed-wood ceilings, reading this before ordering timber trusses will save you time, money, and at least one difficult phone call with your contractor.

1. You do not need finished drawings to start ordering timber trusses

One of the biggest misconceptions about ordering timber trusses is that you need a complete set of architectural drawings before you can get a quote. You do not. This is the first thing we want you to know because it is the reason most people wait too long to call.

A good manufacturer can work from almost anything: a sketch on notebook paper, a photo from a magazine, a rough CAD file, or a verbal description of what you want. The team at American Pole and Timber starts by asking questions: how far apart do you want the trusses, how big do you want the timbers, do you want to see the steel plates or not, what is the roof pitch, and what are the load requirements. From there, the project goes to engineering for stamped drawings. See how the process works from idea to installation.

If you are early in the planning phase and do not have detailed specs yet, that is fine. Contact American Pole and Timber with what you have and the team will help you develop the rest.

2. If your supplier is not engineering your trusses, walk away

This is the most critical quality check when ordering timber trusses. Every truss should be designed by a licensed engineer who produces stamped drawings before fabrication starts.¹ Those drawings specify every dimension, bolt count, connection point, and structural detail. The International Residential Code (IRC) Section R802.10 requires truss design drawings to be submitted to and approved by the building official before installation.³

Stamped drawings are not an optional add-on. They are how the manufacturer confirms the truss can handle the required loads: snow, dead load, live load, and the lateral forces that push against the bearing walls. The industry standard for wood truss design is ANSI/TPI 1, published by the Truss Plate Institute and referenced by both the IBC and IRC.⁴ Without engineered drawings that meet this standard, the truss is a guess.

If a supplier quotes you a price for ordering timber trusses without mentioning engineering, ask directly: will this include stamped engineered drawings? If the answer is no, or if they charge extra for it as a separate line item, consider that a warning. At American Pole and Timber, engineering is included in every project. The National Design Specification for Wood Construction published by the American Wood Council is the reference standard used for these calculations.

3. Not every wood species can handle your span

When ordering timber trusses, most people start with the species they want to see in the finished room. That is fine for small trusses, but it creates problems on larger spans.²

Here is the reality: once a truss span exceeds roughly 30 to 40 feet, cypress, cedar, and oak do not have the structural values to do the job. They simply are not strong enough. That leaves two species for large-span timber trusses: Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir.

Pine and Douglas Fir are nearly interchangeable in structural strength. An engineer can switch the drawings from one to the other without recalculating the loads because the values are that close. Pine is typically cheaper because it grows locally in the Southeast, while Douglas Fir ships from the Pacific Northwest.

If you want the look of cypress or cedar on a large truss, a good manufacturer can fabricate in pine and apply a color-matched stain. You get the appearance you want with the structural capacity the project requires. Learn more about timber truss species options.

4. The biggest cost driver is not the species

When people call for a quote on ordering timber trusses, the first question is usually about wood species. But species is rarely the biggest factor in the price. The real cost drivers are:

• Span (length in feet): A 60-foot truss requires significantly larger timbers and more complex engineering than a 20-foot truss. Span is the single biggest cost variable.
• Design complexity: A simple king post truss with minimal connections costs less than a truss with arches, multiple webs, and custom corbels.
• Number of connections: Every steel plate, bolt, and gusset adds labor and material. More connections mean a higher price.
• Quantity: Ordering 10 identical trusses is more cost-effective per unit than ordering 2 because the engineering cost is spread across more pieces.

Every project is different, and the interaction between these factors is why there is no standard price list for timber trusses. The fastest way to get an accurate number is to call (800) 716-0636 with your span, quantity, and design intent. A project consultant can walk through the variables with you in 10 minutes and give you a realistic range before you commit to anything. You can also request a quote online.

5. Hidden steel plates and exposed steel plates are structurally equal

Every timber truss uses steel gusset plates and bolts at the connection points. The steel is what holds the wood members together and handles the shear and tension forces at each joint.¹

When ordering timber trusses, you will be asked whether you want the steel hidden (internal) or exposed. Here is what each looks like:

Both options carry the same structural loads. The choice is purely cosmetic. If a supplier tells you hidden plates are “stronger” or charges a significant premium for them as a structural upgrade, ask to see the engineering data. The only additional cost for hidden plates is the labor to cut the slot and plug the bolt holes.

6. Plan your crane and staging before your trusses arrive

Timber trusses are heavy. A finished truss made from 6×6 or larger timbers with steel plates can weigh several hundred to over a thousand pounds depending on the span. You will need a crane to set them in place.¹

What most people do not plan for when ordering timber trusses is what happens at the job site on delivery day. The trusses arrive on a flatbed truck. A crane lifts them off the truck and sets them on the bearing walls or columns. This means you need:

• Clear crane access to the building (no trees, power lines, or structures blocking the swing path)
• A staging area where trusses can be set down temporarily if they are not going up immediately
• Enough crew on site to guide the trusses into position and bolt them down

For oversized trusses that are too large to ship fully assembled, the manufacturer will disassemble, mark, and collapse each truss for transport. Every piece is labeled so the crew can reassemble on site. This process has been used successfully on projects across the US and internationally, including trusses shipped to Palau in a shipping container for a restaurant project.

7. You can inspect your trusses before they ship

This is something most people do not know to ask about when ordering timber trusses. At American Pole and Timber, every truss is fully assembled and test-fitted at the Houston, TX fabrication facility before it ships. Every hole is drilled, every bolt is placed, and every connection is verified.

You can schedule a visit to inspect your trusses in person before they leave the facility. This is especially valuable for large or complex projects where you want to confirm the finished product matches your expectations. It is also useful for architects and engineers who want to see the connections and timber quality firsthand.

Not every manufacturer offers this. When ordering timber trusses, ask whether the trusses will be fully assembled and test-fitted before shipping, and whether you can visit to inspect them.

Ordering timber trusses from Houston, TX (shipped nationwide)

American Pole and Timber manufactures timber trusses at 12317 Almeda Rd in Houston, TX. The team handles the full process: design, engineering, fabrication, delivery, and installation support for projects across Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the continental United States. International shipping is available.

Gulf Coast and Texas projects benefit from shorter lead times and direct access to the fabrication team. For a detailed comparison of timber trusses against other roof framing systems, read our timber trusses vs rafters comparison guide. For more about truss styles, see 8 common types of timber trusses.

Frequently asked questions about ordering timber trusses

How long does it take to get timber trusses after ordering?

Typical lead times range from 4 to 8 weeks depending on truss size, quantity, species, and current production schedules. Provide your timeline when requesting a quote so the manufacturer can give you a firm delivery date.

What information do I need before ordering timber trusses?

At minimum: span (length in feet), roof pitch, approximate spacing between trusses, and your load requirements (snow load, dead load, live load). Species preference and steel plate visibility (hidden or exposed) are helpful but can be decided during the design phase.

Can I order timber trusses if I only have a rough sketch?

Yes. American Pole and Timber has built trusses from napkin drawings, magazine photos, and rough verbal descriptions. The team asks detailed questions and develops the design from there. Request a quote with whatever you have.

Can timber trusses be treated for exterior use?

Yes. Trusses can be pressure treated for exterior or high-moisture applications. Discuss exposure conditions during the design phase so the engineer can specify the correct treatment.

What is the maximum span for a timber truss?

American Pole and Timber has built trusses spanning approximately 100 feet. The largest timber trusses ever constructed (for World War-era blimp hangars) spanned over 300 feet. Maximum span for your project depends on species, load, and engineering design.

Do I need to arrange my own crane for installation?

Yes. The contractor is typically responsible for crane rental and installation crew. When ordering timber trusses, confirm the estimated truss weight with the manufacturer so your crane operator can plan the right equipment.

Next step: start ordering timber trusses the right way

Now you know the seven things that separate a smooth timber truss project from a painful one. The best time to ask these questions is before you sign a quote, not after fabrication starts.

American Pole and Timber in Houston, TX handles the full process, from your first concept through delivery and installation support. Visit the timber trusses product page for photos and specifications, or request a quote with your project details:

• Phone: (800) 716-0636
• Email: sales@mytimber.com

For projects requiring green building certification, FSC certified timber trusses are also available.

Sources

¹ American Pole & Timber product specifications and project consultant training materials, 2026.

² Southern Forest Products Association. Pressure-Treated Southern Pine, 2014 Edition. Species strength data and design value tables for Southern Pine lumber.

³ International Residential Code (IRC) Section R802.10. Wood trusses shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. Truss design drawings shall be provided to the building official and approved prior to installation.

⁴ ANSI/TPI 1, National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction. Referenced by both the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Published by the Truss Plate Institute. Establishes minimum requirements for the design and construction of wood trusses.

⁵ American Wood Council. National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction, 2024 Edition. Engineering standards for wood structural design, connection specification, and allowable design values.