Deciding on the most suitable roof truss for your home is a difficult task. Both aesthetic and functional aspects contribute to considerations regarding the kind of roof truss you choose. Prices can differ greatly however there are methods to reduce costs.
The most common truss can be identified because of its triangular design and is commonly used for roofing construction. Every roof truss comes with positive and negative aspects but should be constructed to meet particular conditions and needs. Make a plan of the kind of appearance you’d like your building to achieve when selecting the style of roof truss as it will often determine the final form and slope the roof will have.
When Does a Roof Truss Make Sense?
A roof truss may be beneficial when constructed to address issues that can result in costly construction codes and specific specifications. There are many advantages to a truss
- Workers with less experience may put up roof trusses, thus reducing the cost of labor and speeding up the process of installation vs. various other suspension systems for roofs.
- Certain designs require walls that are less load-bearing as the trusses are able to be used to achieve longer spans making living spaces more open.
- Building materials that are less expensive can result. When used in conjunction with a truss system, more lightweight and less costly materials can be utilized throughout.
- Trusses installation can be completed in a single day since they can be constructed close to the location and then erected by using a light crane or other construction equipment.
Common Types of Roof Trusses
Roof trusses can be found in various varieties However, the four varieties below are the most popular of ceilings constructed.
A roof truss with a parallel chord. Typically used for cathedral ceilings, the price of this truss can be higher due to the requirement of steel members as bracing. The complexity and the number of wood members are major drawbacks. The thermal bridging that is caused by braces made of steel can reduce the efficiency of your energy use, but people often consider the basic lines of the roof truss as functional and pleasing to the eyes.
A raised heel roof truss. This technique allows for higher energy efficiency. The roof truss with a raised heel minimizes condensation issues because the truss acts as an air barrier. It is often found in humid climates where mold is an apprehension problem. The truss is required to have the soffit siding, as well as construction work to insulate right from the beginning which can raise the construction cost. The roof truss with a raised heel can be constructed to cover an area and offer full-depth attic space.
Scissor roof Truss. It is also commonly found in cathedral ceilings because of its ease of construction, the roof truss with scissors eliminates the requirement for bearing beams. It is constructed using the lower chords, which are inclined upwards instead of being horizontal. One disadvantage of this kind of truss is the difficulty of finishing the insulation and, while affecting aesthetics, raises the costs of construction.
A roof truss with a dropped chord. The variant with a dropped chord is made up of a conventional truss, and a secondary chord truss that is suspended below, which helps to minimize uplift. Like the heel-toe truss that is raised the dropped chord also serves as a vapor barrier, which has great insulation properties. Vapor barriers require additional blockage and siding at the junction of ceilings and walls, which adds to the cost of construction.
How Much Does It Cost?
Certain aspects have an impact effect on the cost of the roof truss. The mid-2010s studies have found that in the case of an American home the roof truss may range from $12,000 to $15,200. A breakdown of the costs typically relies heavily on the material, leaving many opportunities to save money.
For instance, the cost of labor for a roof truss can surpass $2,500. The crane rental is usually higher than $700. Good quality lumber is required that is usually more than $10,000, and scrap disposal price is usually between $200 and $500. Traditional framing is usually 60 percent more costly than a prefabricated truss and can cost more than the materials. This is an important consideration when customization is an important aspect of the project.
Is Saving Money Possible?
In general terms in general terms, and if you’re looking to reduce costs while remaining practical the 4/12 pitch roof is the most affordable. It’s sturdy but low, making the most utilization of wood using the conventional and standard sizes. A pitch of 4/12 is that the roof rises by 4 inches for every 12 inches in the run. There’s been a lot of talk about setting up a prefab setup when suitable, and you could try to get a lower cost for labor for bigger projects. However, because the majority of the cost of a truss is the raw material, saving a large amount on the project isn’t likely.
