Miradex Team
- Jun 20, 2022
- 3 min
We get a lot of questions about wooden roof trusses, which is why we made an explanatory video. It covers what wooden roof trusses are, how they are made, and what their advantages and disadvantages are. The most common roof truss configurations are also discussed. Enjoy!
Wooden roof trusses have some undeniable advantages over traditional carpentry.
First, the roof trusses are prefabricated in a controlled environment, using specialized software and machinery. This leads to higher productivity, fewer errors, and predictable costs. When the roof trusses leave the factory, a certificate of conformity to EN1420 and 10-year warranty are included.
Second, waste is minimized due to meticulous planning efforts. The quantity of certified wood, fasteners, screws, corners, chemical anchors, or ribbed is calculated to ensure structural integrity, and not more. Moreover, in the prefabrication process small wood scraps are recovered and used later as lattices in the production of other roof trusses, which would not be possible on site.
Last, roof trusses are suitable for any roof type and allow for open-spaces. We yet have to encounter a situations in which we cannot respect the architecture. Attics made of roof trusses can maintain an open-space configuration as intermediate pillars are not required.
Wooden roof trusses have some disadvantages.
First, roof trusses are the slightly more expensive compared to traditional carpentry. However, this difference is justified by the standardized quality. There is one exception in which roof trusses are more economical: when the roof trusses replace the ceiling of the last floor/floor of the attic that would be built separately in traditional carpentry.
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Second, when the structure of the wooden roof remains visible it might not be to your liking. The MiTek connectors remain visible and can only be masked by painting. In some cases the roof trusses actually become an integral part of the design, such as in Casa Costea.
Last, roof trusses can transfer heat and have an inferior energy efficiency. The roof trusses may serve as thermal bridges if they are not properly approached and removed through appropriate methods.
Depending on the configuration of the interior lattices, several roof trusses are possible, intended for both residential and industrial purposes.