If you have access to small diameter trees and wood pallets, and live in an area not restricted by building codes, then this truss design is one good low cost roof option. Small trees are rapidly renewable, and pallets are plentiful and often available for free. Pallet trusses are especially appealing where other sources of wood are unavailable. This design is exciting to me because gradual improvements in sustainable building help make housing more affordable.
Using full length poles for top and bottom chords (see drawing) makes building these trusses a snap – about half the time and labor of using only pallets. Using poles eliminates the awkward and time consuming process of building the chords with short pieces of pallet wood, and they’re also stronger.
You can read the complete article for free at Mother Earth News Blog.