Tension Ties

Steel tie rods solve the age old problem of roof construction; they hold the walls from bending out as the roof is loaded with wind or snow. In age old timber frame buildings, like the gothic cathedrals of the middle ages, enormous stone buttresses stabilized the walls – allowing for graceful arched beams to create a beautiful timber ceiling.

The buttresses eliminated the need for a bottom chord on a timber truss, which gave the truss a great open feeling. Today, many people want that great open look inside their homes and churches, but don't want to go to the expense of building buttresses. A steel tie rod is the solution. It acts as the bottom chord of the truss and give a very open and light feeling.