Roof Rafters Vs. Trusses: Which One Is Better?

If you’re constructing a new home or building an addition to your existing house, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is how the roof will be supported. Unless you’re planning on building a flat roof structure, you will have to decide whether you’ll be using rafters or trusses for the roof framing.

In this post, a trusted roofer in Yorktown,  Chase Roofing LLC, lets you explore what rafters and trusses are and their main differences.

What Are Roof Rafters?

Roof rafters are basic structural components that are essential for roof construction, stretching from ridge or hip to external wall and providing a base for the installation of roof tiles. Rafters are almost always hidden from sight when viewing a home’s exterior.

What Are Roof Trusses?

It’s easy to spot a truss because this uniquely shaped roof element comes intact and is composed of interlocking components like rafters, joists and jacks. They take the shape of A-frames that install as one piece. They may be flat to provide an attic storage area or slanted to fill in corners.

What’s the Difference?

1. Quality Control

In the case of truss systems, the trusses are fabricated at the manufacturer’s site. They are manufactured with the help of computer-aided equipment, and this enhances the quality of the product.

On the other hand, rafters are made on the site. They are usually cut by workers with the supervision of the project manager. The labor intensiveness of the task increases the chances of human error in measurements.

2. Structural Versatility

Trusses usually have a standard design. However, you can get custom-made ones after meeting some special considerations. Furthermore, the triangular shape of the trusses makes it hard to add an attic to your roofing.

On the other hand, rafters slope to the sides and have a less complicated design. The space left by the planks makes it possible to build an attic and have adequate space for it. The open space makes it easy to insulate the attic and save on energy costs.

3. Strength and Stability

Trusses are made from various beams in a triangular shape. The beams are distributed all over the roofing area, and this means that they facilitate even weight distribution across the roof.

Rafters use dimensional planks that slope to the outside. They leave an open space in the middle. Due to their design, rafters are great for small spaces such as the garage, shed or a small house.

4. Project Cost

Trusses tend to be the most affordable. Trusses use short wood planks which are inexpensive. But since they are used all over the roofing area, they can be costlier to manufacture than rafters.

On the other hand, rafters are fabricated on-site, and this leads to material wastage and a lot of time wastage which translates into increased project costs. Rafters also require a lot of expertise and time to install.

Here at Chase Roofing LLC, we want to be your trusted provider of every service your roof needs. We are experts when it comes to extensive roof repair or gutters replacements. With over 30 years of roof expertise backing us, rest assured that you can confidently place your trust in us.

Get all the features you want in roofing material at a price you can afford. Contact us today by calling (757) 260-5756 or by completing our online request form to get a free estimate. We serve clients in Yorktown, VA.