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Roof trusses

Raised heel truss

A raised heel truss has a taller heel, so the full thickness of ceiling insulation can continue out over the wall.

Also known as raised heel truss, energy heel truss, high heel truss, energy truss, raised heel

In a standard truss the top chord meets the bottom chord right at the wall, leaving only a thin wedge for insulation at the eaves: a common cold spot. Raising the heel with a vertical member keeps the insulation at full depth all the way to the outside of the wall.

It is widely used in energy-efficient houses, and it also leaves room for ventilation between insulation and roof deck at the eaves.

Related terms
Heel (truss heel)The heel is the joint at each end of a truss where the top chord meets the bottom chord, usually directly over the supporting wall. Thermal bridgeA thermal bridge is a local area of the building envelope where heat escapes more easily than through the surrounding construction. Truss typesRoof trusses come in many shapes, such as fink, mono, attic, scissor and girder trusses, each suited to a different roof form, span or use of the roof space.
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