Roof Trusses Vs Roof Rafters

There are significant cost differences when considering a truss style roof vs.

Roof trusses vs roof rafters.

In this guide we will define roof trusses and rafters and explain the pros and cons of each for comparison. The type of construction you have will dictate the approach on how to repair your home. We will also outline the best uses of each so you can decide whether rafters or trusses are the right choice for your building project. Trusses are prefabricated roof structures whereas rafters are assembled on site.

Roof trusses have smaller wood members that are engineered to provide a similar strength without all the expensive wood. They re more economical to build and offer the same or greater roof strength. Because of the professional expertise and time required for rafter construction roofs built using rafters can cost as much as 50 more than roofs built using trusses. Rafters could take an entire week to be installed whereas trusses could be installed in a day which means trusses could save a lot of time.

Trusses on the other hand are pre engineered with internal webbing to support the span of the roof. It is certainly true that trusses are more commonly used than rafters. It s primarily because roof trusses have replaced rafters in most home designs because they are less expensive. You will find rafters in most older homes as they were the popular construction method for many years.

This design allows for a single rafter to span from the ridge to the exterior wall which creates the maximum amount of attic space. There are both advantages and disadvantages while making a roof with rafters or trusses. Trusses are composed of multiple beams for added support. As trusses are prefabricated they may be costlier than rafters however the installation and labor cost involved in roof rafters is comparatively higher than trusses.

Though both rafters and trusses are commonly employed in conjunction it is possible to go with either of them while designing a roof. Both will do a fine job in keeping the roof over your head but each functions in a slightly different manner. Why roof trusses are more popular than rafters. Rafters cost more than trusses as their installation process is labor intensive.

A rafter style roof for a home. Trusses are gradually replacing the conventional rafters to the point that nowadays more than 80 percent of new residential construction uses trusses to support the roof. Both trusses and rafters are triangular shaped planks with the trusses containing more webs inside the main frame. A truss roof system does not use a ridge beam as the backbone of the roofing system.

Roof framing has undergone a quiet revolution over the past half century.