Key Differences Between Roofing Rafters and Trusses

When planning your roof installation, your roofing contractor will discuss whether your roof should have rafters or trusses. In today’s post, Earl W. Johnston Roofing, LLC explains the differences between these two types of roof framing.

Rafters

Rafters are the more traditional type of framing. They’re built on top of the house structure with long planks that are connected and slope down from a ridge beam in the center. Rafter beams typically extend beyond the house’s perimeter, forming the overhang to which the fascia and soffits are attached. Planks are installed on the bottom as structural support for the rafter tails and as framing for the attic floor.

Roofs with rafters need to have a minimum slope to provide structural support, which makes them unsuitable for low-slope roofs. The resulting structure creates ample space in the center of the “triangle” that can be converted into an additional bedroom or as a vaulted ceiling.

Trusses

Trusses serve the same purpose as rafters, except they feature a webbed structure and are more commonly found in modern-style roofing systems like metal roofing. A key difference between rafters and trusses is that rafters are built on-site, whereas trusses are prefabricated. The structure can be delivered fully or partially assembled then hoisted to the house. Many home builders favor trusses because most of the assembly work is done off-site, which can help shorten the overall build time. However, lead time can be longer depending on the complexity of the roof framing.

Trusses can be designed with software and made with materials other than timber. This allows for more complex roof designs, as well as structural support for heavy roofing materials. It’s worth noting that trusses offer little room for last-minute changes, unlike rafters. As a homeowner, this means you and your roofer must carefully plan the new roof’s design and make sure that you’re happy with it before greenlighting the project.

Earl W. Johnston Roofing, LLC is your leading provider of residential and commercial roofing systems, including tile roofing. Give us a call at (954) 989-7794. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Ft. Lauderdale, Weston and Hollywood, FL.