It's not so easy to select the appropriate type of roof truss for a house. Besides, the structure of the finished building influences the sloppiness and shape of your roof. You must consider a roof truss's aesthetic condition and functionality before purchase. Although the costs may vary, reducing the amount of expenditure is achievable.
Currently, roof trusses have replaced rafters in the market because they're more convenient, cheaper, and versatile. Let's look at the different types of roof trusses and their estimated cost to draft a perfect construction plan for your building project.
Roof trusses are lightweight materials used to create the frame of a roof, providing it with support and shape. A roof truss has 3 main parts: webbing, top chords, and bottom chords or ceiling joists.
They are used as an alternative to stick frames or rafters; because rafters are more expensive and require an expert for skillful installation on the building site. Unlike rafters, workers with little or no experience can install roof trusses. Plus, they can be installed in just a day since they can be preconstructed close to the site and erected using construction equipment.
There are different roof trusses you could use for your building project. The most common of them are:
Cathedral ceilings are also constructed using the scissor roof truss and reduces the need for a weight holding device (or beam). Horizontal lower chords are not used in constructing this roof truss; rather, only sloppy inward chords are used.
Unfortunately, this truss has a downside: insulation completion, which increases construction costs and hampers its appealing look.
This roof truss is mostly used in cathedral ceilings and is more expensive than others because it can only be braced with steel. One major disadvantage of a parallel chord roof truss is the number of wood used for its construction. Although people see the tiny lines of this roof truss as attractive and purposeful, the thermal bridging can reduce energy efficiency.
This truss is the most commonly used truss for residential building projects. The span is upto 14 meters and has a high load-carrying capacity. Its webbing is large and could hold water tanks fittingly. Most of all, they are less expensive.
This truss is constructed using a secondary chord truss held down to help minimize uplift. Akin to raised heel roof truss, this truss also generates a vapor barrier that creates great insulation. This condition causes a hike in construction costs since they'll need to purchase extra materials to side and block the ceiling and wall intersections' vapor barriers.
This truss is mostly used in areas with humid climatic conditions where mold is a common problem. However, it is more energy efficient because its raised heel reduces the occurrence of condensation that is caused by the vapor barrier it creates.
Additionally, the raised heel variant requires extra insulation work and a side soffit which increases the cost of construction. It can be constructed to cover an area and provide a spacious attic space.
Varied factors influence the cost of a roof truss. Research shows that the cost of the roof truss in an average house in New York is between $12,000 to $15,000, materials inclusive. Generally, roof truss cost lies in raw materials, so saving some bucks on the finished project isn't feasible.
For extensive analysis, the cost of labor is more than $2,500, scrap disposal is anywhere between $200 to $500, and the crane rental often exceeds $700. A good-quality lumber goes for about $10,000. A typical framing is about $60 costlier than a pre-constructed truss with more expensive materials.
Conclusion
We've compiled a list of over 5 common roof trusses. However, there are other types in the market. Whether your house roof is metal, flat, or asphalt shingles, there's a roof truss that'll fit it perfectly.
Moreover, roof trusses are cost-effective, convenient, and versatile. To find the right roof truss for your house, it's advisable to reach out to a professional roofer. Contact us at 70 Sunrise Highway #500 Valley Stream, New York 11581 (516)- 252-3001 https://www.gafroofinglongisland.com/ for the best advice on which to use.
