What Will Be Underneath Your New Roof?
If you are building or renovating your home, you may have considered which materials you want to use for your floor and walls, but have you given much thought to the roof that will protect your property? In addition to the materials used for your roof, you must also think about how your roof will be supported. In most cases, your roof will be held up by roof trusses. Steel or timber trusses will carry the weight of the slate, tiles or metal from which the roof is constructed. The trusses are fixed together with bolts or nails to make a strong, supportive base for your roof.
Installing your roof trusses
In the past, it used to be common for most roof trusses to be shaped and cut to size at the building site as they were placed in position. Today, it is far more common for the trusses to be prepared to the exact size when they are manufactured so that when the trusses are brought to the site, they can be lifted straight into position. This approach is designed to save you time so that the construction process can be completed faster.
Which type of trusses should you use?
Deciding to use roof trusses is a good first step, but the next question you must answer is 'What type of truss would be best?' There are a variety of styles of roof truss you could consider, depending on the shape of your roof space and the type of roof you will be supporting. Here are the three most popular types of trusses:
- King post truss
- Queen post truss
- Scissor truss
The king post truss is known for its durability. Comprising two rafters on a vertical middle post and a tie beam, it is designed to carry weight for a prolonged period. The queen post truss is similar but possesses two upright posts rather than the single post found on the king post. Having two posts means that the queen post truss is perfect for covering a larger span. With the addition of spliced joints, the span can become even bigger allowing for vaulted ceilings.
The scissor truss does, as its name suggests, resemble a pair of scissors. The lower half of truss crosses one over another before connecting to the upper section.
In many cases, your architect will already have a good idea of the type of roof trusses that they want to use in your home, but if you have a particular design in mind, you should discuss it with the architect. He or she will be able to explain how to best achieve the effect you are seeking.
Contact a company like Prefab Technology Pty Ltd for more information.
