How much do roof trusses cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much do roof trusses cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much do roof trusses cost?

$60 – $500cost per truss (material only)
$5 – $14cost per square foot of roofing area (installed)
$7,500 – $35,000average cost to frame a roof with trusses

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$60 – $500 cost per truss (material only)

$5 – $14 cost per square foot of roofing area (installed)

$7,500 – $35,000 average cost to frame a roof with trusses


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa

Roof truss prices

Roof trusses cost $5 to $14 per square foot installed or $7,500 to $35,000 on average, depending on the material, type, and span. Roof truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss for wood or $150 to $700 per truss for steel. An attic truss costs $100 to $400 for materials.

Average cost to replace roof trusses - chart
Average cost to replace roof trusses - chart
Roof truss prices
Project Average cost to install or replace
2-car garage $1,900 – $10,800
3-car garage $4,300 – $21,200
1,500 SF roof $7,500 – $21,000
2,000 SF roof $10,000 – $28,000
2,500 SF roof $12,500 – $35,000
3,000 SF roof $15,000 – $42,000
20x20 pole barn $2,500 – $7,100
30x30 pole barn $5,300 – $15,000
40x40 pole barn $9,200 – $25,700
40x60 pole barn $13,500 – $37,800
60x90 pole barn $29,500 – $82,700

Get free estimates from roofing companies near you.

Roof truss cost calculator by size and pitch

Truss prices depend on the type, material, span, and pitch. Most standard roof trusses have a 4:12 to 6:12 pitch and span up to 40 feet.

Roof truss cost by span size
Span (in feet) Average price (per truss)*
10 $55 – $70
12 $60 – $100
14 $70 – $150
16 $80 – $160
18 $90 – $200
20 $90 – $250
24 $100 – $300
30 $120 – $330
32 $200 – $350
36 $250 – $400
40 $280 – $500
50 $300 – $790
60 $320 – $850

*Wood truss with 4:12 to 6:12 roof pitch. Installation not included.

Roof truss price estimator by material

Wood truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss on average for the material alone, while steel trusses range from $150 to $700 per truss, depending on the span. The wider the span, the more material required and the higher the cost.

Roof truss price by material
Material Price per truss*
Wood truss $60 – $500 
Steel truss $150 – $700   

*Trusses with spans 10' to 40'. Not including installation.

Wood truss prices

Wood truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss for the material alone, depending on the type and span. Most residential homes use wood roof trusses. Some homeowners use wood trusses as a decorative feature in addition to the roof trusses providing structural support.

Wood trusses are cost-effective compared to steel trusses, but wood is more vulnerable to the elements.

Roof trusses installation up close
Roof trusses installation up close

Steel truss prices

Steel truss prices are $150 to $700+ for materials, depending on the size. Steel trusses are most common in commercial and agricultural applications due to their higher cost and large span capabilities. Still, steel trusses may also be used in detached garages, pole barns, and DIY steel residential building kits.

Prefab, premade, and engineered trusses cost by type

Prefab trusses cost $60 to $500 per truss on average for the material alone, depending on the size, type, lumber quality, and amount purchased. Some truss manufacturers offer a discount when purchasing more than 10 to 15 premade trusses.

Prefab trusses cost by type
Type Average price per truss*
Attic roof truss $100 – $400
Cathedral $250 – $550
Fink truss $120 – $260
Flat / parallel chord $75 – $250
Gable / end truss $80 – $800
Gambrel $100 – $660
Hip truss $100 – $250
King post truss $60 – $160
Mono / half truss $60 – $450
Raised heel / energy truss $70 – $580
Scissor / vaulted $120 – $500

*Not including installation.

Roof trusses contain wood or metal pieces precisely connected to support and distribute the roof's weight. Roof truss components include:

  • Chords – the outer truss pieces that define its shape

  • Webbing / posts – the inner pieces joining the top and bottom chords

Roof truss shapes and pitches

Roof trusses form the roof's support structure, so their shape and pitch correlate with the roof type. Most homes in the U.S. have a roof pitch of 4:12 to 9:12. The most common roof trusses in residential construction include:

Roof truss shapes
Truss type Details
Standard / common
  • Symmetrical; triangle-shaped
  • Most common truss type
  • Includes king post, queen post, fink, fan, and howe trusses
Scissor / vaulted
  • Angled bottom chord
  • Used for vaulted ceilings
Gambrel
  • Two slopes on each side
  • Popular truss for barns
Flat / parallel chord
  • Bottom and top chords are parallel
  • Used for flat roofs and floors
Mono / half
  • Right-angled triangle shape
  • One slope
  • Common for cabins, garages, and sheds
Hip
  • Standard truss with a flat top
  • Creates a flat roof section between slopes
  • Used in combination with standard trusses to form a hip roof

Types of roof trusses
Types of roof trusses

Roof truss webbing styles

The roof truss webbing configuration—the number and angles of its interior beams—impacts its span and load capabilities. While there are many options, the most popular standard truss styles include:

  • King post – A king post truss has the simplest design, with one center vertical post and two webbing chords.

  • Queen post – A queen post truss uses two vertical supporting posts, allowing it to handle wider spans than a king post truss.

  • Fink – The fink truss webbing style creates a "W" shape in the trusses center, providing extra strength and stability.

  • Howe – A howe truss has three vertical and two diagonal webbing chords creating an "M" configuration.

  • Attic – An attic truss's support webbing creates additional living or storage space.

  • Gable / end – A gable truss has all vertical support webbing and is used at the roof end.

Vaulted ceiling truss / scissor truss cost

Scissor trusses cost $120 to $500 per truss for the material alone, depending on the size. A scissor trusses' bottom chord consists of two beams creating an upward angle for a spacious, vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceiling trusses are common in attics and A-frame homes.

Scissor roof truss prices are typically 20% to 30% more than the price of standard trusses.

Cathedral roof truss prices

Cathedral roof truss prices are $250 to $550 on average for the material alone. Cathedral trusses are partial scissor trusses with a bottom chord half flat and half peaked, creating a vaulted ceiling in one room and a flat ceiling in the next.

King post truss cost

King post trusses cost $60 to $160 each before labor, depending on the material and size. King post trusses are among the most common and cost-effective styles due to their simple design using the fewest components—one bottom chord, two top chords, and one center vertical "king" post.

  • King post trusses are designed for short-span applications like a garage or home addition.

  • Some king post trusses have two additional webbing posts branching from the center post diagonally.

Attic roof trusses cost

Attic roof trusses cost $100 to $400 per truss for the material alone. The "room in attic" truss design creates additional living space and holds more weight than a standard truss. Install attic roof trusses in buildings at least 40' wide to add functional living space.

Gable / end truss cost

Gable trusses cost $80 to $800 per truss for materials. Gable trusses cost more than standard trusses as they use more lumber for extra structural support.

Get free estimates from roofing companies near you.

Gable or "end trusses" install at each end of the structure and are used in combination with other truss types. Most residential homes have gable trusses at each end.

Cost to frame a roof

Framing a roof costs $5 to $14 per square foot when using trusses or $7 to $30 per square foot when using rafters, including labor and materials. Framing a roof with rafters takes more time and requires more skilled labor.

Roof framing types
Roof type Details
Gable
  • Simple, triangular shape
  • Common U.S. roof style
  • Cost-effective; easily constructed
  • Requires extra bracing in high-wind and hurricane-prone regions
Gambrel
  • Two slopes; common on barns
  • Better wind and load protection than gable roofs
  • Requires more material, labor, and safety measure than a gable roof
Mansard
  • Four-sided, double sloped roof
  • Maximizes interior space
  • Most expensive roof style
Flat
  • Flat appearance with a low slope for water drainage
  • Requires fewer building materials than a pitched roof
  • Common on commercial buildings
Lean-to / skillion
  • Single-slope design
  • Ideal for snowy and rainy climates (high-pitched styles)
  • Common on sheds, porches, and home additions
A-Frame
  • Steeply sloped roof extends to the foundation line, creating an "A" shaped structure
  • Requires significantly more materials than other roof types
  • Simple design reduces labor time

House roof trusses cost

Installing house roof trusses costs $130 to $600 per truss during a roof replacement or $100 to $560 per truss for new construction. Framing a new house typically includes roof trusses or rafters.

Garage roof trusses cost

Garage roof truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss before labor—the same as house roof trusses—depending on the size, type, and material. Installing trusses on an attached garage may cost more due to the extra labor involved in connecting to the home.

Building a garage costs $19,600 to $28,200 on average. The size, finishes, and whether it's attached or detached impact the total.

Pole barn roof trusses cost

Installing trusses on a pole barn roof costs $80 to $800+ per truss for the material alone, depending on the size and whether steel or wood. Steel is popular for pole barn trusses because steel trusses handle wider spans than wood without requiring extra bracing.

Steel pole barn trusses typically cost more than wood trusses but may be installed up to 10' apart, depending on the region, meaning fewer trusses are required.

Lean-to roof cost

A lean-to roof costs $5 to $14 per square foot installed. A lean-to roof has one slope, often created using mono or half trusses. Lean-to roofs are common on sheds and porches and are frequently used for home additions due to their simple design.

  • Lean-to or half trusses cost $60 to $450 each for the material alone.

  • Large structures or homes in high wind areas are not ideal for lean-to roofs.

Cost to install or replace roof trusses

Installing roof trusses costs $5 to $14 per square foot on average for labor and materials. Replacing roof trusses on complex structures with multiple hips and valleys may cost up to $16+ per square foot.

Cost to replace roof trusses
Factor Cost
Truss material (wood) $60 – $500 per truss
Labor cost to set and install $40 – $60 per truss
Remove old trusses $30 – $50 per truss
Equipment and crane rental (per day) $200 – $700
Disposal fees $100 – $1,000

Replacing a roof costs $4,700 to $15,700 on average for a typical home. Homeowners typically replace roof trusses to update the home's structural design during a roof replacement. Extensive roof damage after a storm or fire may also require truss replacement.

Labor cost to set and install roof trusses

The labor cost to install roof trusses is $1 to $4 per square foot or $40 to $60 per truss on average. The total labor cost depends on location, roof size, truss type, and job complexity. Setting trusses requires much less labor than installing roof rafters that need onsite construction.

Cost to remove old trusses

Removing old trusses costs $30 to $50 per truss on average. Disposal fees cost $100 to $1,000+, depending on the number of trusses removed. The best time to remove roof trusses is during a complete roof replacement because the roof requires the trusses' structural support.

Structural engineers charge $150 to $600 for a roof inspection to assess and confirm the roof has adequate support before removing or modifying old trusses.

Get free estimates from roofing companies near you.

Truss repair cost

Roof truss repair costs $300 to $1,700+, depending on the damage type and extent. Truss repairs typically require an engineer to assess and determine the action necessary to maintain structural support. The most common truss repair involves "sistering" the broken truss, reinforcing it with lumber on each side.

Roof trusses FAQs

How much does it cost to build your own trusses?

The cost to build your own trusses depends on the roof size, wood type, and local lumber rates. While DIY truss building may save money, purchasing prebuilt trusses is best. Most manufacturers design and build trusses using sophisticated engineering software to ensure safe and accurate load distribution.

Some building codes require stamped approval from a licensed structural engineer for all roof trusses.

What is the cheapest roof truss design?

The cheapest roof truss design is the king post roof truss, costing $60 to $160 per truss on average. King post trusses are the simplest design and use the fewest components, with one bottom chord, two top chords, one vertical center post, and sometimes two diagonal webbing chords.

How long does it take to install roof trusses?

Roof truss installation typically takes a 3-person crew a few hours to 1 day, depending on the roof size, site conditions, and the installation method. Using a crane speeds up the process. Roof trusses are prebuilt, making installation quicker and easier than installing rafters requiring onsite construction.

What size roof trusses do I need?

Use the following measurements to calculate what size roof trusses you need:

  • Span – The span is the width or distance between the home's exterior walls.

  • Rise – The rise is the height of the roof at its center.

  • Pitch – The pitch is your roof's incline, typically expressed as a fraction or ratio. Most homes are 4/12 to 9/12.

  • Overhang – The overhang or eave is the roof section extending beyond the home's walls.

How many roof trusses do I need?

To determine how many roof trusses you need, divide your roof length by two. Most residential roof trusses have a 2-foot gap from one truss center to the next. Check local building codes first, as truss spacing requirements vary by location. High-wind and heavy snow-prone regions may require shorter spacing.

Where to buy roof trusses?

Buy roof trusses online from supply stores like Menard's or direct from truss manufacturers. Delivery may take several weeks or months, depending on the company and season. Consult an expert to determine the best truss type for your location, climate, building type, and roof design.

Finding and hiring a framing carpenter

Before hiring a framing carpenter, be sure to:

  • Get at least three estimates to compare.

  • Look for licensed contractors with experience in roof framing.

  • Look for members of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

  • Ask for references going back at least five years.

  • Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Select only companies that are insured and bonded.

  • Avoid choosing the lowest quote as quality may suffer.

  • Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.

  • Never pay in full before the project starts. Use a payment plan instead for work completed.

Questions to ask

  • Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

  • What experience do you have with roof trusses?

  • Do you have a portfolio of your previous jobs?

  • Will you use subcontractors? Are they insured?

  • How long will the project take?

  • How will the crew leave the site at the end of each day?

  • Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?

  • What does the estimate include?

  • What additional costs should I expect?

  • Do you need a permit for the project?


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