What is the difference between truss and rafter

Also see the images below for proper understanding. Your email address will not be published. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Trusses take longer to install but require less staff members to do it.

Rafters are better for smaller constructions such as smaller houses, sheds and garages. Trusses are better for larger structures, as they may be too difficult to install on smaller buildings. Trusses take less time to install, but often cost more than Rafters. More staff hours are needed to install Rafters, but they do not need a crane in order to install them. A crane must often be used to install Trusses.

Trusses and rafters are both assembled ahead of being installed onto the roof. Trusses are assembled in a factory using pre-engineered structures and joints. On the other hand, rafters are assembled at the construction site.

As trusses are assembled in a factory, a lot of time can be saved. When comparing the cost of rafters and trusses, the latter ones cost more.

But when considering the labor cost of constructing the roof using other means, it is better to purchase the trusses even though the costs are a bit higher. This is because there is no need to assemble the structure again at the construction site as they have been already assembled at the factories.

But as rafters have to be assembled at the construction site, they involve more labor costs. Rafters contain two main outer beams which support the roof structure. On the other hand, trusses come with multiple beams which add more support. Moreover, as said earlier, the entire weight of the roof is equally shared by a series of triangles inside the main frame.

Nowadays, people prefer trusses for their roofs as they are stronger and also a bit cheaper when calculating the overall cost. Roof trusses have become more popular these days thanks to their versatility, convenience, and lower price point. But rafters offer more attic space if you plan on installing any future conversions. Image source: Log Cabin Connection. Rafters are long wooden boards used for the frame of the roof, also known as stick framing.

Rafters are made on the job site by the roofers and they are typically cut into 2x10 or 2x12 beams , which slope down from the peak of the roof.

Ceiling joists then help secure the rafters and the exterior walls. The ridge beam or ridge board is placed at the center of the roof, which helps to support the roof rafters at the top. It's important to understand the difference between ridge beams and ridge boards. Each requires different sizes of rafters and serves different purposes. Ridge beams typically offer more stability than ridge boards and lengthen the lifespan of the rafters.

They're also commonly used for buildings with vaulted ceilings or when you want to increase the amount of attic space. Ridge boards are thin, non-structural boards that don't carry the load as well as ridge beams do. These boards serve as a connecting point between the joists on each side and help with the spacing of the rafters as well as the transferring of the load through the joists to the external walls. Roof trusses are similar to traditional rafters in the sense that they provide support but are made and structured differently.

Trusses feature prefabricated lightweight wood that's made in a factory, typically from larger pieces of wood like 2x8s or 2x10s, and delivered to the home construction site. While rafters are constructed in a stick framing pattern, trusses feature chords on the top and bottom and an arrangement of webbing which allows it to distribute the load more broadly to the outside walls. There are many different types of roof trusses where the webbing posts are arranged in different patterns, providing different uses.

The most basic roof truss is the King Post truss, which requires fewer materials, and costs less than the others. Find a reputable contractor to begin building your home. Image source: Homenish.

More attic space - Rafters are perfect if you plan on installing any conversions to your attic to make it an active living space. Rafters give you more open space and provide enough room for a loft or a master bedroom. Insulation - With every roof, you'll want to make sure that your attic is properly insulated.

Installing insulation with rafters is easier because of the space between the beams where the installation is installed between the rafters and the drywall.