Builders who use parallel-chord floor
trusses praise the fact that they let you
run all your mechanicals without cutting
holes, but complain that trusses
can't be trimmed to fit. The Open Joist
2000 offers the best of both worlds. Like
other trusses, the Open Joist comes in
long lengths (up to 30 feet in 1-foot
increments), but you can cut a total of
11 inches off of the overall length by
trimming the solid web blocking on
each end. And because the Open Joist's
graded lumber is finger-jointed using a
waterproof, resorcinol glue, it costs 25%
less than trusses made from stress-rated
lumber and steel plates. (Machinestress-
rated lumber is available for longer
spans.) The design doesn't