Are you planning to build your new home? Have you already chosen the materials for roof framing? 

Roof framing is an essential component of a house for it provides more quality appearance and ambiance. It also creates, protection for the house and the family living inside from extreme heat or cold. 

Over the decades, rafters have been the trending roof framing option which was used in building multiple homes across the world. But, it quietly evolved, and new models have come. One of those is roof trusses. Both of these two options for roof framing have been widely used and continuously striving hard to build their names in the world market. These two have been the top competitors in the field of roof framing. But how to tell which is what? What option is the better to choose for a roof framing? Let us find out!

Rafters

Also known as stick framing, rafters are regarded as the traditional means of roof support. Rafters are cutting, building, and installing rafters that are done by professional carpenters only. Rafters are mainly made of sloped framing board coming from dimensional lumber with a size of 2x10s or about 2x8s. It connects the ridge board or also called as the roof peak to the exterior plates of the wall. Ceiling joists are the tools used to secure the rafter at the bottom. Also, it uses collar ties that are horizontally placed halfway down the rafters and holds the roof planes and rafters together. 

Advantages of Rafters

Nowadays, rafters are becoming less used in the building of houses. A lot of people are turning their backs and trusts to the modern models, which are the trusses. This is because of the lower cost of trusses compared to the rafters. 

Rafters are stick framings that are flexible and capable of being altered without comprising its structure. Given this, open space under the roof can be achieved, and it adds to the overall appearance. The building of practical purposes such as extra home office, bedroom, or storage can also be achieved. Accommodation of simple home additional will always be possible with rafter roofing. 

Although the actual installation of rafters is slower compared to the trusses, it needs a shorter time for preparation. So when you are in a hurry, it will be better and efficient to use rafters after all. Rafters are also suitable for the remote locations wherein truss systems that are pre-assembled already are transported to the place.  Do your due diligence before deciding on how to build your property North Wales.

Roof Trusses

In the modern era, rafters are slowly fading due to the rise of roof trusses. Roof trusses refer to another option for roof framing which is lightweight and engineered units with cords from top to bottom. These are supported by triangular webbing lumber. 

Advantages of Roof Trusses

Due to roof trusses are pre-made to the offsite specs of a building, often through automation such as computer-driven saws. Compared to rafters, these are cheaper and faster to install. Roof trusses may be smaller the size than the rafters, it is still stable and strong, being capable for spanning of great distances ranging up to 60 feet. Given this, it lessens the necessity for load-bearing interior walls and lets the flow of more open floor plans inspired by modern trends.