Construction & Contractors Blog
If you are building or rebuilding your home's roof from the structural elements up, this is an ideal opportunity to give it a new look with creative trusses. Read on to learn more about roof trusses and how distinctive trusses may have both practical and aesthetic advantages for you.
What are roof trusses?
Roof trusses are the structural elements underneath your roof. Usually, they are constructed of wood, but they can also be made of metal. Technically, a truss works by taking multiple pieces of construction material and assembling them in such a way that they function as one unit to support the roof.
The study of physics is involved in designing various types of trusses, specifically the use of statics, which calculates the different forces across the truss to ensure that it provides sufficient support. Most architects and contractors know how to construct a typical pitched roof truss, but if you want to use a more unusual truss, a truss company can help you figure out the minute details for both the physics and the appearance of the roof.
What are the advantages of going beyond the common pitched truss?
While there's nothing wrong with the typical roof structure you see on most homes, a specialized, more individual truss can have many advantages:
What kinds of trusses could you use for unique looks?
Distinctive roof trusses are much more common in countries with older architecture, such as in Europe. A great way to see the variety you could use in your roof is to look at photos of old churches and monasteries in Europe. Types of trusses you could use as inspiration and leave exposed in your home's interior include
How do you make these looks work for your space?
The key to making one of these unique truss styles work for your home is to select other decor elements that work in concert with it to create the desired ambiance. For example, if you want to give the feeling of an Italian wine cellar in your great room, you could add exposed brick walls and lots of warm wood tones. Maybe you love the Eiffel Tower and want steel trusses with visible rivets that echo the famous French landmark.
Collect some photographs of the truss styles you admire most, and show them to your truss contractor. Once you've established the structural plans, you can use other photos to find interior decor ideas or show them to a designer who can create a milieu for you.
There are literally thousands of different types of trusses that can be used on your roof, whether to support the entire structure or perhaps just an overhang on the front facade. For more information, contact Campbell Truss Company Inc or a similar organization.
Share15 September 2015
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
