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Roof trusses

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.

Also known as heel, heel joint, truss heel, bearing joint, heel height

The heel is where the truss sits on the wall and passes its load down into it, so it is one of the most heavily loaded joints. Its height, measured at the outside of the wall, decides how much room there is for insulation above the wall plate.

A standard heel leaves little space at the eaves; a raised heel truss lifts the top chord at the wall line so the full depth of ceiling insulation can continue to the edge of the building.

Apex (ridge) Nail plate Top chord Web Bottom chord Heel Overhang Span
The parts of a typical fink (W) roof truss. Every joint is held by a nail plate.
Related terms
Raised heel trussA raised heel truss has a taller heel, so the full thickness of ceiling insulation can continue out over the wall. Overhang (eaves)The overhang is the part of the top chord that extends beyond the outside of the wall, forming the eaves of the roof. Bottom chordThe bottom chord is the lower member of a truss that ties the two ends together and usually carries the ceiling.
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