Roof Truss Considerations: What Determines the Design?

During the old days, there were limited techniques and ways of building roofs. There wasn't much to choose from because roofing materials and structures had not undergone the evolution that you see these days. Today, roofing specialists can combine shapes and materials to minimise costs or shorten construction periods while still delivering roofs that meet your functional and aesthetic needs. More specifically, roof trusses are the most important component of your roof as they determine the shape, strength and overall functionality of your roof. If you want to set up a roof on your new home, here are the considerations that will determine the design of your roof truss:

The Pitch of the Roof

The pitch is the first element that determines the design of your roof truss. Generally, the pitch refers to the angular inclination of the roof at the point where it meets the walls of the house. Most people often go for a pitch of about thirty-five degrees between the rafters of the truss and the top edge of the walls. However, you might be able to use the loft space above the ceiling, as the roof lies too low at thirty-five degrees. Forty-five degrees offers reasonable space in the loft, but you also run the risk of having a house seemingly dominated by its roof.

A well-balanced pitch uses the one and a half–storey effect. The builders set only one-half of the upper storey into the roof. You can also opt for a mansard design where the angle of the truss changes abruptly at the centre of the roof.

The Roof Type That You Want

There are different types of roofs in the market. The type of roof that you select ultimately has an effect on the design of the truss that you will use. Here are some popular roof types in modern markets:

• Hip roof: Hip roofs have one pitch at the top with four sides meeting at various corners. The smaller, less-dominant sides give the impression of "hips".
• Monopitch roof: Just as the name of the roof suggests, a monopitch roof has one side projected higher than the other side to produce a gently sloping plane. The essence is to maximise space on one side of the roof or enhance visibility from a certain point on the upper floors of a house. Monopitch roofs require right-angled trusses.
• Duopitch roofs: In the duopitch design, the roof has two planes sloping towards each other to meet at a higher point of a straight ridge.

For more information about roof trusses, get in touch with a company such as Prefab Technology Pty Ltd.

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