Today’s homeowners are always on the hunt for affordable ways to create and maintain an eye-pleasing and eco-friendly home. The shape of your roof and its materials play a key role in giving you the aesthetic and low-energy bills you’re hoping for, starting with the roof framework.
Roof trusses have become a popular choice in recent years. They’re well-known for their structural integrity and durability, making roof trusses more affordable than other alternatives. So, what is a roof truss, anyway? And do you even need one? Keep reading, because we’ll cover everything you need to know about a trussed roof and how to find a local roofing contractor to make it happen.
What Is a Roof Truss?
A roof truss is the frame for your roof. It provides structure and stability so that your roof can do what it does best – support your roof deck and protect you and your family from the elements.
Unlike other roofing frameworks (such as rafters) built on-site, roof trusses (also known as “trussed rafters”) are pre-fabricated off-site and installed later by a roofing contractor.
What are Roof Trusses Made of?
Roof trusses are triangular and constructed from wood, steel, or a combination of both. Their shape makes them sturdy enough to give your roof (and home) the stability and protection it needs.
The main components of a roof truss include:
- Web bracing
- Top chords
- Bottom chords
- Apex
- Heel
- Joints
- Nodes
Why are Roof Trusses Important?
Roof trusses are important because they give your roof its shape, all while supporting your roof deck. They also evenly distribute the weight of your roof across your external support walls.
Because of their ability to support a heavy roof and distribute its weight, roof trusses will keep the integrity of your roof over time. The result? You’ll experience fewer repairs due to weight distribution imbalances, and your roof will last longer.
Do I Need Wood Trusses for My Roof?
The simple answer is no, you don’t need a wood truss. However, you do need a structural framework and support for your roof. Rafters or a different framework would be your alternatives.
6 Main Types of Residential Roof Trusses
Roof trusses come in various styles, depending on your architectural and design needs, making them versatile and capable of accommodating your vision. Let’s explore six of the most common roof trusses you can choose from.
1. Fink Truss
The fink truss is the most common roof truss on our list. It’s ideal for shouldering heavy loads along longer spans. The internal web configuration is in the shape of a W for maximum load-bearing. While usually made from wood, you can also find them in stainless steel.
2. King Post Truss
A king post truss features a central vertical post (aka, the king post). It’s ideal for supporting shorter spans, making king post trusses more suitable for smaller houses and buildings.
3. Queen Post Truss
Unlike the king post truss with its single vertical post, a queen post trust offers two vertical posts, allowing it to accommodate longer spans. Because of this, queen post trusses are more common in medium-sized homes.
4. Scissor Roof Truss
Are you planning to build a vaulted or cathedral ceiling? Then you’ll more than likely need scissor roof trusses. Scissor roof truss’s A-frame structure and configuration in the shape of open scissors make them ideal for raised ceiling styles.
5. Fan Truss
A fan truss is a type of fink truss, but for longer spans, making it a top choice for large homes. Its members form a fan shape, and they provide direct support for purlins because its top chords are cut into shorter lengths.
6. Raised-Heel Roof Truss
Raised-heel trusses (aka, energy-heel trusses) are notorious energy savers. These trusses rise higher than (other) conventional roof trusses, allowing for better insulation to the top and into the eaves of your attic. Better insulation means higher energy savings.
3 Main Benefits of Roof Trusses
1. Top-Tier Structural Support and Durability
A roof truss’s triangular shape and webbed design make it the strongest roofing framework on the market. Roof trusses can sustain more weight than rafters and joists (more about this below). They also last longer – usually the lifespan of your home.
2. Easy Installation
After roof trusses are fabricated off-site, a roofing contractor will install them – an easy process that can be done in one day. Quick installation means you’ll save on labor costs.
3. Energy-Efficient
Roof trusses will give your home better ventilation and insulation due to their shape and design. In short, your home will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, giving you ultimate comfort year-round. Also, because they can regulate the moisture levels in your home, you’re less likely to experience mold and mildew (and the expense of that damage).
How Much Does a Roof Truss Cost?
When calculating the cost of wood trusses for your home, you can expect to pay between $4 and $10 for the wood trusses and materials, not counting installation.
Depending on where you live, a roofing contractor may charge from $28 to $60 per hour. Given the fast installation time of a roof truss, your labor costs will be low compared to alternative framing structures.
Roof Trusses Vs. Rafters: What’s the Difference?
What is a roof truss versus a rafter? Since we’ve covered roof trusses, let’s tackle what a rafter is in comparison. A rafter is a classic framing method for a roof. Rafters consist of consecutive timber beams secured by joists.
Back in the day, many roofs were supported by rafters. Unlike roof trusses that are pre-made elsewhere, contractors build rafters (and the resulting stick-framed roof) directly on your home.
As for strength, however, roof trusses win out. Their triangular configuration and webbing give them a greater load-bearing capacity than rafters.
Get a Roof Truss From a Contractor You Can Trust With Directorii
Roof trusses are affordable and energy-efficient structures meant to last a lifetime. Their design versatility and easy installation make them a popular choice for today’s homeowners.
Ready to get the ball rolling on your trussed roof? Find an affordable local roofing contractor you can trust with Directorii.
