A steel roof truss is a prefabricated structural framework made from steel members that supports roof loads over long spans. Compared with timber roof trusses, steel trusses offer greater strength, durability, and design flexibility, making them widely used in factories, warehouses, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.
This guide covers what a steel roof truss is, how it compares to timber trusses, the 5 truss types most commonly used in industrial construction, and how AM Industries Vietnam fabricates trusses for clients in Australia, the US, and Europe.
Table Of Content
- What is Steel Roof Truss?
- Applications
- Steel Roof Truss vs Timber
- Five Main Types
- Fabrication Process
- Design Considerations
- Why Choose AM
- FAQ
What is a steel roof truss?
A steel roof truss is a triangulated system of straight interconnected structural elements. Welding joins the individual components at the nodes. The external forces applied to the system and the reactions at the supports are generally applied at the nodes.
When all the members and applied forces are in a same plane, the system is a plane or 2D truss. This is a type of steel truss that is commonly used in steel buildings and constructions which readily provides support to roofs, floors, and internal loading.
Its advantages:
- Long-span structural capability with minimal internal columns
- High strength-to-weight ratio for efficient structural performance
- Excellent durability and long service life
- Resistance to termites, fire, and harsh environmental conditions
- Faster fabrication and installation compared with many traditional roofing systems
- Lower maintenance requirements over the building’s lifecycle
- Suitable for custom engineering designs and international construction standards
Do you have any further questions about steel roof trusses (price, drawings, process), contact us via email sales@aminds.com (Mr. Cuong) and we will feedback in 12 hours.
Where Is Steel Roof Truss Used?
Steel roof trusses are widely used in industrial and commercial construction thanks to their ability to support large roof spans while maintaining structural stability. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of building applications.
- Manufacturing Factories: Steel roof trusses provide large, column-free spaces for production lines, heavy machinery, and future facility expansion.
- Warehouses & Distribution Centres: Long-span roof systems maximise storage capacity and improve logistics operations by reducing the need for internal support columns.
- Agricultural Buildings: Barns, machinery sheds, grain storage, and livestock facilities benefit from the durability and low maintenance of steel roof trusses, even in demanding environments.
- Commercial & Public Buildings: Shopping centres, exhibition halls, workshops, and sports facilities often use steel roof trusses to create spacious interiors with flexible layouts.
- Heavy Industrial Facilities: Steel roof trusses are also widely used in mining plants, processing facilities, aircraft hangars, and infrastructure projects where high structural strength and long service life are essential.
Steel roof truss is widely used in factories, warehouses, logistics centres shed, requiring long-span roof structures.
Steel Roof Truss vs Wood Roof Truss
Timber framing may be one of the oldest building construction methods still popularly practiced today. On average, new residential construction accounts for one-third of all wood products consumed in the United States.
But everything is changing. Wildfire are getting worse. The cost of wood has skyrocketed as more people across the States remodel or built new homes following a pandemic-year construction collapse, causing a timber shortage that adds more than $35,000 to a new single-family home construction cost.
Since then, more and more clients have considered to move from timber to steel roof truss. Furthermore, an integrity structural system between timber and steel truss are developed. Both have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your requirements and your builder preferences.
| Features | Steel Roof Truss | Wood Roof Truss (Timber) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | The price is getting more economical | Before generally cheaper than steel trusses but its price has sharply increased recently |
| Use | Prefer for both industrial buildings ( shed, barn, mill, workshop…) and residential buildings | Prefer for residential buildings: single-family homes, family warehouse… |
| Lifespan | A steel frame can last at least 50-70 years with low maintenance and replacing. | A softwood timber framed building is expected to last around 25-30 years |
| Weight | Steel framing provides a significantly greater strength-to-weight ratio than wood | |
| Extreme Conditions |
|
|
| Installation |
|
Can be installed without the help of heavy machine. |
| Recycle |
|
|
See our case studies of steel roof truss and frame for shed here
5 main types of roof trusses
Trusses comprise assemblies of tension and compression elements. Under gravity loads, the top and bottom chords of the truss provide the compression and tension resistance to overall bending, and the bracing resists the shear forces. A wide range of truss forms can be created. Each can vary in overall geometry and in the choice of the individual elements.
In this article, we focus to introduce 5 main types of roof trusses which are mainly used on typical single storey industrial buildings like sheds, factories, warehouses. The roof trusses are widely used to serve two main functions:
- To carry the roof load
- To provide horizontal stability
Pratt truss (‘N’ truss)
Engineers have used the Pratt Truss for over two centuries as an effective truss method. Builders commonly use it in long span buildings. which range from 20 to 100 m in span. The vertical members are in compression, whilst the diagonal members are in tension. This simplifies and produces a more efficient design since the steel in the diagonal members (in tension) can be reduced.
This has a few effects – it reduces the cost of the structure due to more efficient members, reduces the self-weight, and eases the constructability of the structure. This type of truss is most appropriate for horizontal spans, where the force is predominantly in the vertical direction.
Pratt trusses are commonly used in long span buildings which range from 20 to 100 m in span. In a conventional Pratt truss, diagonal members are in tension for gravity loads. Builders use this type of truss where gravity loads predominate. An alternative Pratt truss is shown (below right) where the diagonal members are in tension for uplift loads. This type of truss is used where uplift loads are predominant, which may be the case in open buildings such as aircraft hangers.
Warren truss
The Warren truss consists of longitudinal members joined only by angled cross-members, forming alternately inverted Equilateral triangle-shaped spaces along its length. This gives a pure truss: each individual strut, beam, or tie is only subject to tension or compression forces, there are no bending or torsional forces on them.
 |
 |
Loads on the diagonals alternate between compression and tension (approaching the center), with no vertical elements, while elements near the center must support both tension and compression in response to live loads. This configuration combines strength with economy of materials and can therefore be relatively light. The girders being of equal length, it is ideal for use in prefabricated modular bridges.
Contractors commonly use Warren trusses in long span buildings ranging from 20 to 100 m in span. This type of truss is also used for the horizontal truss of gantry/crane girders.
North Light Truss
|
One of the oldest and economical methods of covering large areas is the North Light. Builders traditionally use north light trusses for short roof spans in industrial workshop-type buildings. This roof consists of a series of trusses fixed to girders. Therefore, it allows maximum benefit to be gained from natural lighting by the use of glazing on the steeper pitch which generally faces north or north-east to reduce solar gain. On the steeper sloping portion of the truss, it is typical to have a truss running perpendicular to the plane of the North Light truss, to provide large column-free spaces. The use of north lights to increase natural daylighting can reduce the operational carbon emissions of buildings although their impact should be explored using dynamic thermal modelling. |
 |
Saw-tooth Truss
| A variation of the North light truss is the saw-tooth truss which is used in multi-bay buildings. Similar to the North light truss, it is typical to include a truss of the vertical face running perpendicular to the plane of the saw-tooth truss. |  |
Fink Truss
A fink truss is one of the most common type of truss used, especially on homes and pedestrian buildings. The truss has an internal web configuration shaped like a W to give the ultimate strength to material ratio for spans from around 5m to around 9m in span which covers the majority of domestic dwelling being built today.
| The Fink truss offers economy in terms of steel weight for short-span high-pitched roofs as the members are subdivided into shorter elements. There are many ways of arranging and subdividing the chords and internal members. So this type of truss is commonly used to construct roofs in houses. |  |
Steel Roof Truss Fabrication Process
A high-quality steel roof truss begins with a well-controlled fabrication process. From engineering design to final inspection, each step contributes to the strength, accuracy, and long-term performance of the finished structure.
1. Engineering & Shop Drawings
Every project starts with detailed engineering drawings that define the truss dimensions, span, loading requirements, and connection details. Accurate shop drawings ensure each component is manufactured according to the project specifications while minimising errors during fabrication and installation.
2. Material Preparation
The appropriate structural steel sections are selected based on the required strength, application, and applicable standards. Raw materials are inspected before production to ensure they meet the specified quality requirements.
3. Cutting, Drilling & Fabrication
Steel members are cut, drilled, and formed using precision manufacturing equipment to achieve accurate dimensions. Depending on the design, components may also undergo machining or edge preparation before assembly.
4. Welding & Assembly
Individual members are assembled and welded according to the approved drawings. Proper welding techniques and dimensional checks help ensure structural integrity and consistent fabrication quality throughout the production process.
5. Surface Treatment
To improve corrosion resistance and extend service life, fabricated steel roof trusses can receive different surface treatments depending on the project environment. Common options include hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating, or industrial painting.
6. Inspection & Delivery
Before shipment, each steel roof truss undergoes dimensional inspection and visual quality checks to verify compliance with project requirements. After approval, the completed trusses are carefully packed for safe transportation and installation.
Design Considerations for Steel Roof Trusses
Selecting the right steel roof truss requires more than choosing a truss type. Several engineering factors should be evaluated to ensure the structure meets the project’s performance, safety, and durability requirements.
Building Span
The distance between supports is one of the most important considerations when selecting a roof truss design. Larger spans often require stronger truss configurations to maintain structural stability while reducing the number of internal columns.
Roof Loads
A steel roof truss must be designed to safely support dead loads, live loads, wind loads, and other environmental forces throughout its service life. Proper load calculations help ensure structural safety and long-term performance.
Building Application
Different buildings have different structural requirements. For example, factories and warehouses typically require large clear spans, while commercial buildings may prioritise architectural appearance alongside structural performance.
Environmental Conditions
Projects located in coastal or corrosive environments may require additional corrosion protection such as hot-dip galvanizing or specialised coating systems to maximise durability and reduce maintenance.
Compliance with Standards
Steel roof trusses should be designed and fabricated in accordance with the applicable engineering standards and project specifications. Working with an experienced fabrication partner helps ensure quality, dimensional accuracy, and compliance throughout the manufacturing process.
At AM Industries Vietnam, our engineering and production teams manufacture custom steel roof trusses based on customer drawings and project requirements, supporting industrial and commercial projects for export markets including Australia, the United States, and Europe.
AM Industries Vietnam’s steel roof truss fabrication
Global challenges like climate change, shifting trade policies from US, rising taxes on steel, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the processing and construction industry. We can see a gradual change in construction trend moving from wood materials to non-wood materials like steel, sturdier, structural composite, etc. For AM Industries Vietnam, this shift highlights both the opportunities and responsibilities of delivering high-quality steel solutions that meet international standards while supporting partners worldwide.
We fabricate steel roof trusses at our factory in Giang Dien Industrial Park, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, for clients in Australia, the United States, and Europe. Every truss is manufactured to the standard the destination market requires — including AU/NZ structural steel standards, AWS D1.1 (US welding), and EU steel standards — with quality documentation and export-ready packaging included.
We produce trusses for a range of configurations, including gable, free-standing shed, and lean-to designs, sized to the specific span and loading requirements of each project.
Have questions about pricing, drawings, or the fabrication process? Contact us at sales@aminds.com and our team will respond within 12 hours.
Our Services – Select the one you would like to know more about
- Steel components
- Steel structure
- Steel water tanks / Steel silos
- Stainless steel components
- Metal casting
- Residential & commercial building products
- Quality control services
- Kitting & assembly
- Partnering
- Sourcing
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a steel roof truss and a steel rafter? A truss is a triangulated assembly of multiple short members designed to span long distances efficiently; a rafter is typically a single solid or built-up beam. Trusses generally use less material to achieve the same span, which is why they’re preferred for wide industrial roofs.
2. How long does a steel roof truss last? A well-maintained steel truss system typically lasts 50–70 years, considerably longer than a softwood timber truss, which generally lasts 25–30 years.
3. What span can a steel roof truss cover? It depends on the truss type: Pratt and Warren trusses typically span 20–100 m and suit large industrial buildings, while Fink trusses suit shorter spans of roughly 5–9 m, typical of residential roofs.
4. Which steel truss type is best for a shed or warehouse? Pratt and Warren trusses are the most common choices for clear-span sheds, warehouses, and factories because of their efficiency across long spans. North Light and saw-tooth trusses are better suited when the building also needs natural daylighting.
5. Does AM Industries Vietnam export steel roof trusses internationally? Yes. AM fabricates steel roof trusses in Vietnam and exports to Australia, the US, and Europe, manufacturing to the structural and welding standards required by each destination market.
