Bracing House Trusses

Raise a gable end truss so that it rests on the front outside wall. Nail it to the top plates of the front and side wall with a hammer or nail gun. Using a measuring tape, measure 24-inch intervals, starting from the front wall. Mark the intervals with a carpenter's pencil.

Nail four 2-by-4 bracing boards to the front of the house. The braces should be vertically centered on the seam between the bottom cord of the gable and the top plate of the wall. This braces the front gable end truss. Repeat on the rear wall to brace it.

Attach three or four trusses at the outside walls at the 24-inch marks. Slide a 2-by-4 through the previously attached trusses and to the end gable. The 2-by-4 should be perpendicular to the trusses and parallel to the outside walls. Nail it to the underside of the top cord of each truss and the end gable. Repeat on the opposite top chord to brace the trusses.

Attach three or four more trusses. Nail 2-by-4s to the top chords on both sides to brace the trusses. Repeat until all trusses are attached and braced.