Frame and truss yards live and die on getting bundles to site tight, undamaged and safe to unload. Timber is springy, loads get craned and forklifted, and a bundle that loosens in transit is a delivery problem and a safety risk. This guide covers a proven, cost-effective setup for the job: Cordstrap CC55 composite strap with CB5 buckles.
Why composite strap for frames and trusses
Timber bundles are exactly where composite strapping earns its keep over steel banding or cheap poly:
- It holds tension on springy timber: composite absorbs movement and recovers, so the bundle stays tight through handling and transit instead of loosening like an over-stretched steel band.
- It won't damage the timber: non-abrasive and rust-free, so it won't stain or mark treated, dressed or pre-primed timber the way steel can.
- It's safe to handle and cut: no razor edges or dangerous recoil when a strap is released on the truck or at the site — a real advantage for your team and the builders unloading it.
- It's light and fast: applied by one person with a single hand tool.
Why CC55 with CB5
Cordstrap CC55 is a 16mm composite strap rated to 880 daN — the right light-to-medium strength for bundling wall frames and standard trusses, where you need firm, reliable tension without the cost of heavier grades. It pairs with the matching CB5 16mm buckle, a wire buckle that locks the strap under tension with no sealing tool required. For heavier or oversized truss bundles, you can step up the strap grade — but for most frame and truss work, CC55 + CB5 is the efficient, everyday combination.
What you need
- Strap: CC55 composite strap, 16mm.
- Buckles: CB5 buckles, 16mm — one per strap.
- Tensioner: a Cordstrap hand tensioner to pull the strap tight.
You can put the whole kit together from the Strapping collection, and trade accounts get tiered pricing.
How to strap a bundle — step by step
- 1. Square up the bundle: stack frames or trusses evenly so the load is stable and the straps will sit square, not skewed.
- 2. Position the straps: plan strap spacing along the length so the bundle can't sag or fan out — more straps for longer or heavier bundles. Keep straps clear of overhangs.
- 3. Thread the buckle: feed the strap around the bundle and back through the CB5 buckle, following the buckle's thread path so it locks correctly.
- 4. Protect sharp points: slip an edge board under the strap at any nail-plate or hard corner that could cut into it.
- 5. Tension it: use the hand tensioner to pull the strap firm — tight enough to hold the bundle solid, not so hard it crushes or marks the timber.
- 6. Lock and trim: let the buckle grip, then cut the tail. Composite cuts cleanly and safely with no sharp offcut.
- 7. Check before dispatch: give each strap a quick tug; re-tension any that have settled after the bundle relaxes.
The quick answer
For bundling timber frames and trusses, CC55 16mm composite strap with CB5 buckles and a hand tensioner is the practical, cost-effective setup: strong enough at 880 daN, keeps its tension on springy timber, and won't rust or mark the product. Add soft edge boards where nail-plates or corners could cut the strap, and step up the strap grade for unusually heavy bundles. Not sure how many straps or which grade for your loads? Email sales@nzpackaging.nz with your typical bundle size and weight and we'll spec it.
Frequently asked questions
Is CC55 strong enough for roof trusses?
For standard frame and truss bundles, yes — CC55 is rated to 880 daN and holds tension well on timber. For unusually large, heavy or long-span truss bundles, step up to a heavier composite grade; contact us and we'll confirm.
Do CB5 buckles need a sealing tool?
No. CB5 is a wire buckle that locks the strap under tension — you only need the strap, the buckle and a hand tensioner. That keeps the kit simple and cheap to run.
Will the strap damage treated or primed timber?
No — composite strap is non-abrasive and won't rust or stain the timber like steel banding can. Use an edge board only where a nail-plate or sharp corner could cut into the strap itself.
Can one person strap a bundle?
Yes — composite strap plus a hand tensioner is a one-person job, which is part of why yards switch to it from steel.
Always follow your site's load-restraint and manual-handling procedures. Strap count and grade should suit the specific weight, length and handling of your bundles — contact us for a recommendation.
