Although most of us don’t frequently consider it, distinguishing between a truss and a rafter is crucial when building a house. For this reason, we wish to discuss rafters vs. trusses on the Hitek blog today.
What Does Raffers Do?
Render construction is employed from the hip or ridge of the roof to the wall plate of the outside wall. It is the conventional method of supporting a roof, sometimes known as “stick framing.” Every house on the street would have been constructed of rafters decades ago.
A skilled carpenter designs, cuts, constructs, and installs each rafter on the job site. The roof is supported by dimension lumber, and the roof planes are held together by collar ties on the rafters.
How Do Roof Trusses Work?
A more stylish and effective way of support is provided by Wood Roof Trusses. Before they get to the building site, these trusses are made. The trusses join the home walls and support the roof as a single wooden structure.
So now that you are aware of what each sort of roof support is, how do they differ from one another?
What Sets the Two Apart from One Another?
The primary distinction between roof trusses and rafters is that the former is constructed mostly from 2x4s rather than large dimensioned boards. Despite using less material, lumber (or steel) is more durable. Architectural components like rafters can be either hidden or prominently shown. Trusses, on the other hand, are less likely to be installed as decorative elements in a house.
These distinctions, however, do not explain why roof trusses are the more widely used of the two. Let’s divide the causes into ten distinct groups.
Trusses are constructed in a controlled setting
As we previously stated, trusses are made before they are delivered to the site, whereas rafters are put together there. This significant difference has led many builders and homeowners to select trusses. Trusses are double-checked and of the highest quality since they are produced in a plant with a controlled atmosphere. Trusses are produced quickly because of the automated production process, which is great for increasing construction productivity.
Each truss is customized to each project’s requirements. Trusses may be customized to match your needs, whether you’re building cross gambles or cathedral ceilings. There were no errors in calculations, measurements, or design. On the other side, rafter construction isn’t as quick or simple. On-site assembly is done piece by piece. Although they may appear to be less expensive, the drawn-out production procedure can be expensive. Furthermore, it is challenging to guarantee quality because outside variables like the weather might lead to issues. Trusses that are manufactured in a factory avoid problems like these. Once constructed, roof trusses may be supplied quickly and are prepared for installation. They may even be accredited by a third-party body, proving their quality and pointing out any shortcomings.
Installing Rafters Takes More Time
Rafting isn’t precisely a quick endeavor because of the lengthy production process and the margin for mistakes. Raft installation may take a whole week for a single structure. In contrast, trusses may be constructed in a 2,5000 square foot home in as little as one day if the necessary personnel and equipment are present. In a large construction job, especially if several distinct structures are involved, this saves a ton of time. The roof sheathing can be applied once the trusses have been completely completed. This immediately shields the remainder of the building from inclement weather, sunlight, and other potentially hazardous elements. Shingles may be added shortly after, advancing the job swiftly. When rafters are installed slowly, the building becomes more susceptible to natural disasters and wear and tear. It makes sense that the majority of contractors now choose roof trusses wherever possible.
Trusses are frequently less expensive
The price of the latter is a decisive advantage in the contest between trusses and rafters. Trusses first seem to be pricey. They appear to have high starting prices since they are prefabricated. But it’s vital to keep in mind that installing rafters takes more time and work, adding significantly to the cost of the project.
Furthermore, as rafters consume more timber than trusses do, the cost of the project to install rafters will increase as the price of wood grows. Trusses instead of rafters typically allow contractors to save up to 50% on construction costs. That’s a sizeable sum of money saved that might be used for another part of the project or the homeowners’ pocketbook.
Large Structures Benefit from Trusses
Next, it’s critical to consider the structure you’re developing, particularly its size. Roof rafters work well for compact structures but not so well for big, open plans. It is not unexpected that more constructions require trusses given that the average size of residences has increased by 74 percent across the United States (since 1910). Typically, we’re developing larger and better things, so rafters aren’t good options.
Rafters Need Very Specialized Skills
a potential issue you could experience with rafters? Installation of rafters is difficult. To complete the job, you need a contractor with the appropriate set of abilities, which are getting harder and harder to find nowadays. Today, many qualified builders lack the time or resources to construct exact rafters on site. This creates the potential for measuring mistakes and, in the worst situations, poor workmanship. If you want to use rafters, it could be difficult to locate employees who have the specialized knowledge required to finish the project correctly. By this point, the majority of the greatest rafter installers have retired, leaving behind a generation that is more accustomed to using roofing materials that have already been built.
Trusses Are More Environmentally Friendly
If you care about the environment, as you should, here is a huge bonus: roof trusses are more environmentally friendly than rafters. We can all understand that they have a significantly smaller impact on the environment since they consume less timber and generate less garbage. Steel plates are increasingly often used in the manufacturing process to link timber roof trusses. Less wood needed in building equates to happier, healthier earth for everyone as they expand their load-bearing capacities without requiring more wood. Additionally, it is simple to recycle the tiny scraps of off-cuts from the truss production process. It benefits both construction employees and Earth because there is no need to carry them to and from the project site.
Trusses Enable an Opener Floor Plan
Trusses are constructed from shorter lengths of lumber than rafters, but they still have a wide range of span capabilities. Even more so than the majority of traditionally constructed roofs, they have a very long span. This results in a big layout with an open interior and flexible design possibilities. Trusses are the best option if you want your house (or business structure) to appear larger than it actually is. Less load-bearing barriers are required to achieve the open concept design you’ve been admiring. If you’re planning to construct to sell, keep in mind that today’s homebuyers like a lovely open floor design.
It Takes More Load-Bearing Walls With Rafters
Did we mention that trusses require fewer load-bearing walls than rafters when we were talking about trusses? Manufactured trusses don’t require as many load-bearing walls inside to maintain the structure’s stability since they are made to properly transfer a roof’s weight to the house’s outside walls.
Trusses Are Reliable
Trusses also have the important advantage of being sturdy given its size and timber content. Trusses’ “webbing effect” offers the building a tremendous amount of resilience. Trusses are difficult to move but, once in position, they use the strength of triangles to support roofs of diverse sizes, forms, and designs.
Trusses Are Simple to DIY
Last but not least, trusses may be the best option if you’re the type of builder that enjoys getting their hands filthy. If you have the necessary equipment and skills, you may install them yourself because they are far simpler to do so than rafters. Of course, if you lack the necessary skills, we are not the ones to advise DIYing any roofing project. We can provide you with a price for truss installation help in Florida after discussing your needs with us.
As a result,
Trusses are outperforming roof rafters in nearly every area, despite the fact that there are certain arguments to be made in their favor. We anticipate that roof trusses will become increasingly more prevalent as construction techniques advance and automation increases. For decades, the Hitek Truss Company has produced durable, superior roof rafters. Not only are we knowledgeable about the most recent roofing trends, but we are also ready to create trusses that are tailored to your particular building requirements. Our complete line of products is fully compliant and code-built.
Additionally, we only use the strongest, most reliable lumber when creating trusses. You may relax knowing that we can depend on all of our roofing materials to withstand the elements for many years to come.
