Roof Trusses

Building your own home is an exciting event. For many people, it is the realization of a life long dream. While a great deal of attention is paid to the layout of the rooms, placement of windows and doors, and the design of the exterior, it is equally important to address the part of the home that will shelter all that is underneath - the roof.

The roof is supported by a framework referred to as a roof truss. Generally, a roof truss is a frame composed of wood or metal sections that are held together by aluminum or steel connection plates. The purpose of the roof truss is to ensure that the weight of the roof is equitably distributed, and that all sections of the roof are supported properly, thus extending the life of the roof.

When it comes to whether wood or metal trusses are superior, many still prefer the use of wood trusses for homes. Part of the reason is that the individual pieces that make up a wood truss can easily be modified on the building site to ensure a snug fit with the walls of the structure. From a safety perspective, metal appears to have no real advantage over wood trusses that are constructed of properly treated quality lumber. Even in the event of a fire, the general design of the truss is more important that the type of material used. A well constructed truss will not collapse as a whole unit, but would give way incrementally, allowing additional time for persons to escape the structure.