Roof trusses are a very important part of your roof, and you should know about them, especially if you are building a roof on any kind of building. Roof trusses are one of the most critical parts of any structure, and there are various kinds of trusses that you might need to pick from, depending on the kind of roof you are installing.
The types of roof trusses that are correct for the job can vary when you are building residential buildings or commercial locations. Roof trusses are far more cost-effective than other rafters in most cases, and they can offer improved support and stability for homes that are located in places with challenging weather, high winds, or heavy loads of snow.
The more you know about the kinds of trusses and which types of buildings they are appropriate for, the easier it will be to work through a construction project from start to finish.
What Are Roof Trusses?
Roof trusses offer structural support to your roof. They also distribute the weight of the roof over the foundation to prevent sagging walls and foundation breakdown. They are typically made of triangular units that are joined by wood beams at all the panel points.
Roof trusses are almost always assembled off-site and then delivered and installed during your construction project. This costs some money in shipping but saves money and time on the construction site. Rafters are built on-site, but roof trusses typically never are.
The primary parts of a roof truss are the top chords, bottom chords, and web bracing. There are also posts and struts in each truss. Trusses are made from wood or steel in nearly all cases. The schematics that are used to make trusses are computer-generated and highly accurate, so you can be certain that your home or commercial building will stand up to the test of time.
What Types of Trusses Are There?
There are various kinds of trusses that you can choose from when building a home or business location. You do need to consult with a builder about which kinds are right for your build. You might also not be able to get certain truss types shipped into your area, which can limit your options. The roofline that you are planning for the building in question, as well as the weather, can have a big impact on which kind of truss you select.
In many parts of the world, it is not critical to think about attic space as anything other than storage. However, if you have high winds where you live or lots of snow, you might need room for added structural support and an increased amount of insulation as well.
Be sure to ask your contractor about these variables, as your local building codes will typically require that you include these structural design features for safety and longevity. Not all of these kinds of trusses are suitable for places where the weather can be really tough each season, and you will need to do your research to make sure that you have used the right kind of truss in your construction project with the future in mind.
1.King-Post Truss
This is one of the most common types of trusses. They can span 16-26 feet lengths and are most often used for residential projects. King-post trusses are often the most cost-effective for your standard to small-size homes, and it is worth knowing about the existence of this truss type.
2.Queen-Post Truss
The Queen-Post Truss is made for 16-40 foot length spans. They are a highly simple truss, but they are very stable and versatile. Queen-Post Trusses are ideal for so many kinds of projects, so they will almost always be on the list of possible trusses for your project.
3.Fink Roof Truss
The Fink Truss is the most common type of truss that is used for residential construction jobs of medium to large size. They are ideal for long spans and are also necessary for high-pitch rooflines. This might not come up in residential construction very often as the span for these trusses often exceeds the lengths required for residential projects.
4.Raised-Heel Roof Truss
The raised heel truss is great for energy-efficient buildings because it creates a lot of attic ventilation space and offers lots of room for sufficient insulation for the rest of the house. This can be perfect if you are building a large building and have cold weather to deal with as well.
5.Scissor Roof Truss
The bottom chord of this truss has a slope on all four sides that meets at a point in the center. It is ideal for places where high winds are common and for areas where snow might be an issue. These trusses are created for high-vault ceilings as well, so if you want a really impressive ceiling height, this is the truss you might want to pick.
6.Gambrel Truss
This is an older style of truss and roofline, which is more familiar on the East Coast of the US. These roof styles are not appropriate for most modern homes, but they can be quite common in older construction. This is a truss that is made to support a wide span and a tall roofline.
Knowing About Trusses is Critical for Many Reasons
There are lots of reasons why it is smart to know more about trusses and how they operate in a building. You will be much less likely to run into structural issues with your home or office location if you are educated about the process that is needed to build the structure. You will be more likely to save money and time as you build your home or office as well.
Trusses are essential for the stability of your roof, for the beauty of your building, and for the energy efficiency of your property. All of these factors are improved by selecting trusses rather than rafters. If you are worried about getting the right roof installed for your home or business, you will want to be sure to use this guide to help you learn more about what kinds of rafters there are on the market and what kind of roof support your building project will require.