How Trusses and Rafters Are Built Differently

As you plan out your roofing replacement, you’ll need to choose between several different options that fit your needs and budget. One of the most important is choosing a roofing structure that uses either trusses or rafters. Which is most suitable for your home? 

Trusses

If you’ve seen trusses before, then you might recognize them as prefabricated wooden structures that utilize a triangular webbing of structural members. They’re designed as structural support for the other roofing materials installed above while tying together the exterior walls of your home. 

The long sloping beams that you see extend to the top of the truss and the beam that runs horizontally along the bottom, which are called chords. Along with the ties that compose the interior triangular webbing of trusses, they all work together to evenly distribute the weight of your new roof over a broad area. 

Rafters

Rafters are commonly known as the “stick framing” of the roof. They’re essentially made with planks that are 2 x 10s or 2 x 12s. They slope down from the central ridge beam at the top part of the roofing system and intersect with the exterior walls. 

These elongated planks provide structural support for the roof sheathing and the ceiling joists that extend horizontally across the floor of the attic space. They’re found between the exterior walls and secure together to create a sturdy structure that supports not just the attic, but also the entire roofing system.

Knowing Their Differences

Both rafters and trusses offer similar benefits, but to know which structure can best fit your needs and preferences, you’ll need to work with a professional roofer. Let’s say that you want to add room from your attic space, but don’t have the budget at the moment. If this is the case, most roofing companies will recommend that you choose rafters because they offer more storage space. At the same time, it won’t affect your roof’s structural integrity. 

Installing insulation is also much faster with rafters, so consider this type of roofing structure if you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency. But if you want faster roofing construction and proper weight distribution, trusses are your best choice. This is because they offer more precise and quality control as they’re cut by computer-aided saws and other fabrication equipment in the factory. Trusses are already assembled, which means they’ll only need to be delivered to your worksite.

If you’re looking for one of the most reputable roofing and gutter companies in the area, you can count on GO Construction Services, LLC to get the job done! Call us today at (717) 854-1573, or fill out our convenient contact form.