A roof is not just what you see from the outside – tiles and sheet metal. It is primarily its entire structure that supports them and makes it durable and stable. It is most often made of a traditional timber frame or trusses. Which solution to choose? We explain what roof trusses are and when they are used.
What are roof trusses?
It is widely accepted that roof trusses are the best alternative to a traditional timber frame. They are durable, prefabricated structural elements made from the highest quality solid wood. Their applications are numerous, and roof trusses even enable projects that cannot be realized with traditional methods. They are versatile and can be used for virtually all types of roofs. They perform very well in large structures, as they help limit unnecessary support points.
Roof trusses can come in various shapes and sizes, which is why they are used in residential, agricultural, industrial construction, as well as for covering other commercial and service facilities.
Types of Roof Trusses
Among roof trusses, the following are distinguished:
· Rafter trusses, which consist of two rafters supported, for example, on a floor beam;
· Collar beam trusses – a beam is placed between individual rafters to transfer compressive stresses;
· Purlin and cleat trusses, where important elements are posts (stools) and cleats – beams stiffening the truss;
· King post trusses used for roofs with a large area and span. In this construction, the rafters are supported by king posts, which are vertical elements placed between them.
Advantages of Roof Trusses
Roof trusses have many advantages, which is why they are so readily chosen for roof constructions:
· universal application, versatility,
· an economical way to create additional usable space,
· eliminate the need for beams and purlins,
· relatively low cost,
· precision manufacturing, high quality of individual components,
· quick assembly of ready-made elements,
· wide range of construction possibilities.
Application of Roof Trusses
As already noted, roof trusses have a wide range of applications. They are used virtually everywhere, especially for roofs with large areas and spans, which helps limit unnecessary support points. However, they can form the basis for almost any type of roof, although in practice they are used for gable roofs with an unused attic. This is primarily due to the fact that this solution is easy to install, which significantly translates into time and cost savings. However, this does not exclude the possibility of using roof trusses for more complex projects.
How much do roof trusses cost?
The price of roof trusses usually ranges from approximately PLN 50-80 per square meter. However, this is not their only cost. Labor, transport, and installation must also be taken into account, especially if these are not provided by you. These will be additional costs, around PLN 3,000-4,000.
