Roof trusses are triangular structures that provide the support and stability to the roof and distributes the weight of the roof away from the exterior walls of the building.
Trusses are usually made from wood in residential design and from steel for commercial building design. They take the shape of a triangle because of that shape’s natural ability to disperse pressure through it’s entire structure making it extremely stable and rigid.
There are a number of different designs for roof trusses and the best design for any building will depend on.
- the stresses the building roof is likely to experience
- the aesthetic preferences of the homeowner
- and the size of open areas within the building.
- the type of extreme weather conditions prevalent in the area where the home or building is being built.
Many home builders order roof trusses from a manufacturer and have them delivered to a building site because building roof trusses is labor intensive and prefabricated roof trusses save time and money. If delivery to an area is a problem, or if the building design calls for a specific type or size of truss that is not readily available, the trusses may have to be built on site.
So when considering roof trusses for your home, they should not be chosen based on the looks alone. An experienced architect or engineer usually helps to make the determination on the roof truss design best suited to the building under construction. Someone with training specific to this area will be able to make the most use of the room in your home, giving it a spacious feel while still looking beautiful. A different type of roof truss design can be used in various areas of the home, making it possible to customize the look you want in different rooms, while still maintaining the same exterior appearance. While some roof trusses may be practical for the weather in a particular area, they may not be able to accommodate the desired design specifications for the building. Good architects and engineers consider both the building design and the stresses the roof will be subject to when choosing a truss design.
The articles and pages below will provide information on various types of roof trusses and examples of how they can be used.
