Roofing Basics - Rafters And Trusses

A roof may look simple at first glance, but it’s actually one of the most complex parts of a home. Today, we’re taking a look at two of the roof’s important components: the rafters and the trusses. What are they, and how are they different from each other? 

The rafters refer to long beams that run from the roof’s central ridge all the way to the outer walls of the main structure. In most cases, rafters are made of wood planks, although metal rafters may also be used on more modern homes. Rafters provide roofs with plenty of space underneath them, which can make for great attic space.

Although rafters offer plenty of versatility when it comes to form and function, they also have a few weaknesses. The biggest issue with rafters is that they are much more difficult to install compared to trusses so you need to make sure your new roof is built by a certified roof replacement company.

Trusses consist of triangular networks of supporting material that go underneath the roof’s deck. Unlike rafters, trusses are pre-built and are shipped to the site instead of being installed manually. This helps speed up the roof replacement or new construction process. Multiple trusses have to be used to build a roof.

Roof trusses are all about pre-built convenience. However, this convenience also comes at the cost of versatility. Because of how each truss is pre-built, a roof that uses trusses tends to be difficult to renovate. Trusses also tend to be more expensive than rafters, although some will tell you that the faster installation makes it worth the extra expenses.

Decide between rafters and trusses with help from our team of experts. Punum Roofing of Houston, Inc. is the leading roofing contractor in the area. Call us at (713) 528-8974, or fill out this contact form to request a quote.