UNDERSTANDING ROOF STRUCTURES
Get to grips with the options for constructing your roof
Most new houses are built with standard premanufactured trusses, which can be craned into place ready to be covered in a membrane and battened out for your roof covering. This is typically the cheapest solution whatever walling system you’re using; but there are alternatives, such as attic trusses or SIPs (structural insulated panels), that could be a better fit for your project depending on your house design. Here’s what you need to know.
TIMBER TRUSSES
“The simplest roof structure is a fink truss, but we typically recommend going for an attic version,” says Luke Roberts, MD at Donaldson Direct. The latter requires larger timbers and removes the internal webs of support to enable living space in the roof. “It’s more expensive but adds value by providing additional habitable rooms,” says Luke.