Types of Roof Trusses Discussed in Detail for Your Insight

About Me
How to Extend Your Property

Hello, my name is Danny and this is my new blog. I live in Sydney, Australia in my dream property. When I bought this house, it wasn't my dream at all but I could see that the place had potential. When I first saw the place, I knew it had potential but it was a little small. I bought it and decided to extend the kitchen and dining room out into the yard. I am not a construction professional so I had no idea how to do this. Thankfully, my friend recommended a fantastic contractor who helped me plan the work and then completed the work in super quick time. I learnt a lot so I would like to share it here.

Search

Types of Roof Trusses Discussed in Detail for Your Insight

19 January 2021
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


Traditional roof trusses are easy to recognise from their triangular shape. The shape is famous for the functional appeal that it affords to the roof. It creates the desired slopes for water to drain off, which comes in handy for making the roofing material last longer. Additionally, a triangular truss also enough room for additional living space in the attic. You can use the attic for storage or an extra room. Choosing the right roof truss is critical for ensuring that it meets all your performance needs. Here is a discussion that will improve your understanding of modern roof trusses:

Raised Heel Trusses

A raised heel roof truss features a heel fitted on the intersection of the bottom chord and the perimeter wall. It creates additional space that you can use for installing more insulation. It allows you to extend your insulation's full depth to the outside section of the top plate. Certainly, raised heel trusses are the best option for those who want to reduce their attic's insulation costs. The truss forms a vapour barrier that prevents condensation problems for those living in humid areas.

Dropped Chord Trusses

A dropped chord roof truss comes as a conventional roof truss with an additional chord truss suspended below it to eliminate uplift. Essentially, uplift refers to upward pressure acting on the roof and can raise a particular section above the level of the relative surrounding. Uplift forces often result from ground pressure, strong winds and waves of evaporating surface water.

Just like a heeled roof truss, the dropped chord truss also forms a vapour barrier for optimal insulation of your space. However, the vapour barriers here need additional siding and blocking in sections where the ceilings intersect with the walls.

Parallel Chord Trusses

A parallel chord roof truss differs from the other roof trusses because it doesn't have a triangular shape. The design is rectangular with long, straight elements acting as the bottom and top chords. Due to the length of the straight elements, the roof truss experts will install additional strengthening elements called webs. These webs sit at regular intermediate intervals along the cross-section of the straight elements.

Scissor Roof Trusses

A scissor roof truss is a type of roof truss used in regular buildings. They feature the bottom chord members crossing each other and connecting with angled chords at the top. It is worth noting that a scissor roof truss cuts installation costs by eliminating the need to fit a bearing beam on the truss.