One of the key decisions of designing a residential roofing system is choosing between rafters or trusses for the roof framing. In today’s post, the local roofers at Royal Roofing Construction explain the differences between the two.
Rafters vs. Trusses
Rafters can be considered as the traditional roof framing method. Rafters are built over the house structure, with planks that are attached to a central beam at the ridge. Most sloped roofs have rafters that extend beyond the building’s footprint, with an overhang that is covered by the soffits and fascia. The base of the triangle shape is supported by horizontal planks, which also serve as the skeleton for the attic floor. To ensure structural strength, rafters require a minimum slope. This makes roofs with rafters the most suitable for conversion to a finished attic.
Trusses, on the other hand, can be built using various materials like composite, wood and metal. Unlike rafters that are built on-site, trusses can be prefabricated ahead of the roof installation. They feature a webbed structure rather than ribbed, which allows more flexibility in terms of design and build. Trusses are suitable for low-slope roofing designs, as the various support components are integrated into the design prior to building.
Which One Is Best for Your Roof?
Most of today’s roofing systems are built with trusses because it offers certain advantages — lower cost, shorter installation times and design flexibility. We have mentioned that trusses are ideal for low-slope applications, and it wouldn’t even be a question if this is the roof that you wanted for your project. However, it’s important to note that trusses have their setbacks. Since trusses are pre-assembled, they will require larger trucks, as well as a crane to hoist the assembly onto the roof — a factor worth considering if the roads that lead to your home are not truck-friendly.
In comparison, rafters are ideal for roofs with steep slopes, as the resulting structure is stronger. They’re also ideal for when you need your roof replaced quickly, as it’s built on-site instead of pre-fabricated. Once the decking is installed, rafters have spaces that allow easy placement of insulation materials. Since rafters typically result in a spacious attic, they’re the best choice if attic conversion is on your list of future remodeling plans.
Find out which one is best for your roof with Royal Roofing Construction. Give us a call at (714) 680-0015, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. We offer residential and commercial roofing services to Anaheim, CA, and the surrounding communities.
