Picking out your house’s roof framing can certainly be an exciting process. The two most prevalent choices for this are roof rafters and trusses. Both types of roof framing serve the same purpose, and they can even look somewhat similar. There are, however, some key differences between roof rafters and trusses.
Many people consider roof trusses to be highly versatile. Meanwhile, door rafters will usually provide you with more room for attic space. Learning about the strengths and best uses of each of these roof framing materials is vital because that’s what enables you to make the perfect decision with regard to your home’s roof framing.
What Are Roof Rafters?
When rafters are present in a roof’s frame, this can also be referred to as stick framing. In this process, long boards of wood are what the roofers use on the job site. There, they will most often use either 2-inch by 12-inch or 2-inch by 10-inch beams. From the peak of your home’s roof, these beams will then slope downward. When it comes time to secure these new rafters, ceiling joists assist with that process.
At the very center of your house’s roof, the roofers will place ridge beams or ridge boards. Their role, of course, is to support the newly installed roof rafters above them. There is a difference, though, between ridge boards and ridge beams. Ridge beams are quite structural in nature, and they hold rafters in place with great stability. This, in turn, can increase the longevity of your roof’s rafters.
Ridge boards, on the other hand, do not have the same amount of stability as ridge beams. These boards are non-structural in nature, and their purpose is to connect the aforesaid ceiling joists and aid in the rafters’ spacing.
Benefits of Roof Rafters
One of the biggest advantages that comes with roof rafters is the fact that your home will have more space for the attic. This is especially useful for those of you who have plans to convert your building’s attic into a living area in the future. Trusses don’t provide nearly as much open space in this area. If transforming your house’s attic into a loft, den, or master bedroom is something you are interested in, then roof rafters will prove to be a fantastic choice.
The next thing that roof rafters have going for them is insulation. Properly insulating your precious home’s attic is crucial. With rafters, it becomes far easier to install insulation. The reason for this is the amount of space that is left in between the roof’s beams. This leaves ample room to put in plenty of insulation before the ceiling finally receives its drywall.
Another benefit of using roof rafters is the low amount of planning required in comparison to trusses. If reducing lead time is important to you, then the fact that roof rafters are frequently made at the worksite will certainly be in your favor.
What Are Roof Trusses?
The main similarity between roof trusses and roof rafters is their common goal of support. Trusses, though, are structured in a very different way. While roof rafters are quite often made on the spot, roof trusses utilize prefabricated, factory-made wood. It is rather lightweight and will usually come out of larger sections of wood.
Another key difference is the framing pattern. With roof rafters, the roofers opt for a stick framing pattern. Roof trusses, on the other hand, make use of chords both below and above the webbing. The result is that trusses are very efficient at broadly distributing the weight to exterior walls.
A King Post truss is perhaps the most common kind of roof truss. Fewer materials are necessary for it, and it is often more affordable than the other kinds available. Purlins are key components for successful roof truss installations. These are the horizontal beams that link the framework of trusses together at consistent intervals.
Advantages of Using Roof Trusses
One thing many roofers will agree on when it comes to trusses is their superior strength. Due to their webbing, they can bear very heavy loads. This makes trusses ideal for supporting your home’s roof while simultaneously using affordable materials.
Speed of installation is another benefit for homeowners who decide on roof trusses. Although the manufacturing process for these trusses requires a bit of time, a team of professional roofers can get to work on your roof’s frame immediately upon their delivery. In some cases, only a few days may be necessary before the roof truss installation is complete.
Ease of planning is another thing that those who opt for roof trusses will get to enjoy. Since trusses don’t need to be made on the worksite, roofers can plan out a roof framing job in a much simpler manner. So long as the trusses arrive on time, there isn’t much else to account for.
Quality is also fairly consistent when it comes to the roof trusses that manufacturers send out. From precise measurement to controlled working environments, there are several factors that contribute to high-quality, prefabricated roof trusses arriving at your building in perfect condition.
Downsides of Roof Rafters
One issue you could run into when it comes to the use of roof rafters is the length of the construction project. From careful measurements to precision cutting, it is often somewhat time-consuming to create rafters on-site. Trusses, being prebuilt, don’t have this problem.
Affordability is another variable that may turn some homeowners away from roof rafters. The fact that roofers must usually make rafters on-site will, of course, affect the cost of a framing project. From labor to sourcing the wood, rafters frequently end up being more expensive than trusses.
Because trusses are more prevalent in the modern era, more roofers and contractors have experience with them than with installing roof rafters. This presents some difficulties with regard to finding professionals qualified to install your rafters. Fraser Roofing, LLC, thankfully, can assist you with either.
Disadvantages of Using Roof Trusses
Space is, perhaps, the largest drawback to a truss system. Trusses’ webbing takes up quite a lot of space. This makes attic conversions and renovations less viable. Rafters are a better choice for a resident who needs to create more living area in the building’s attic.
A lack of flexibility can also deter some local homeowners from choosing roof trusses. After the completion of your truss system’s installation, it will be nearly impossible to perform significant alterations to your trusses without jeopardizing the longevity or structural integrity of your home’s roof framing.
Contact Fraser Roofing, LLC Today
For expert local roofing services, Fraser Roofing, LLC is where local residents can turn. With almost two decades of roofing experience, we understand how to properly serve our community. This has made us a go-to roofing contractor among local homeowners.
In addition to roof framing and other new roofing projects, our team at Fraser Roofing, LLC also excels at roof repairs and gutter services. We have a Better Business Bureau A+ rating, and Gwinnett Magazine even awarded us Best of Gwinnett 2016-2020.
If you need to discuss an upcoming project involving roof rafters or roof trusses, contact Fraser Roofing, LLC today.
