Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome the opportunity to provide information on topics that are important to you.
Please review some Frequently Asked Questions below.

If you have a question not addressed please contact our office.

Question: What is meant by the term proprietary shape?
Answer: In the instance of cold formed steel trusses, a proprietary shape is used specifically for the design and fabrication of cold formed steel trusses. In other words, a proprietary shape is not used for other purposes such as wall framing. The trade name of the proprietary shape Cascade Manufacturing uses is TrusSteel.

Question: What type of material do you use?
Answer: The proprietary chord member is formed from G-90 or equal galvanized cold formed steel that pass through a series of dies that gradually bend the material into its finished shape. The truss chord material is 55 KSI for all gauges except 12 GA and 14 GA which are 50 KSI.

Question: What do you mean by gauge?
Answer: Gauge is an industry term used to describe the mil thickness of cold formed steel. The higher the number referenced, the heavier the gauge or mil thickness.

Question: What mil thickness do you use?
Answer: Chord material varies in thickness from 97 to 29 mils. Web material varies in thickness from 54 to 33 mils.

Question: How much of your product is recyclable?
Answer: All material is 100% recyclable.

Question: Does your product contribute to LEED points?
Answer: LEED points may be obtained under the areas of MR 2 “Construction Waste Management” and MR 4 “Recycled Content”. TrusSteel may also qualify under MR 5 as “Regional Materials” depending on project locations.

Question: What type of quality control process do you use?
Answer: In addition to our own in-house quality control process, Cascade Manufacturing participates in third-party inspection with the Truss Plate Institute (TPI).

Question: Are cold formed steel trusses stronger than wood?
Answer: It is difficult to say one type of truss is stronger that another. Wood and cold formed steel trusses are designed according to the design criteria established for a project. Therefore they are as strong as they need to be.

Question: What are your business hours?
Answer: Cascade Manufacturing is open Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. CST.

Question: What type of design software do you use?
Answer: Cold formed steel truss fabricators often, but not always, use design software that is furnished by the truss technology company that supplies the truss component parts. It is not software that is available for retail purchase.

Question: Can I purchase material from you and make my own trusses?
Answer: The practice of jobsite fabrication is strongly discouraged.

Question: Where is not a good place to use cold formed steel trusses?
Answer: It is important that cold formed steel trusses be used in areas that are well ventilated. High moisture conditions and corrosive environments are also not good applications for cold formed steel trusses.