Trusses and Rafters: How to Tell Them Apart

When you’re planning a major roofing project, you’ll need to understand how each part of the roof will be constructed. This includes the type of structure that will act as the frame, so you’ll need to select either trusses or rafters for your project. But whether you select either or both, it should be discussed with a trusted roofing contractor to know what’s best for your home. 

Trusses

Trusses are prefabricated wooden structures. They’re designed to provide support for the roof above while tying together the exterior walls of your home. You’ve probably noticed the long sloping beams that extend to the top of the truss and the beam that runs horizontally along the bottom. These are called chords, and, along with the ties that compose the interior triangular webbing of trusses, they’re designed to distribute the weight of your new roof over a broad area. 

Rafters

You might recognize rafters as the “stick framing” of the roof. They slope down from the central ridge beam at the top part of your roofing system and intersect with the outer walls of your home. The planks support the roof sheathing while their ceiling joists are elongated and extended horizontally across the floor of the attic space. The joists are placed between the outer walls and secure together as they create a sturdy structure that supports the entire roofing system.

Telling Them Apart

Since both rafters and trusses offer similar benefits, selecting one or the other will depend on your needs and preferences. If you plan on creating an additional room from your attic space later on, then rafters may be more convenient. This is because they offer more storage space without affecting the roof’s structural integrity. Installing insulation is also much faster when you choose rafters, which is useful if you want your home to be more energy-efficient.

On the other hand, trusses are already manufactured in the factory, so they offer more precise and quality control as they’re cut by computer-aided saws and other fabrication equipment. The precise design of triangular webbing of trusses ensures proper distribution of your roof’s weight more effectively compared to rafters. Roof construction is also faster when you use trusses as they’re already assembled by the time they’re delivered to the worksite! 

When you need a roofing expert, be sure to hire the best contractor in the area! Call Northeast Gutters and Remodeling today at (860) 899-7878, or just fill out our convenient online form.