32b2fc_340242c94939479487d0d10a207fae4c~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2

Wood Truss Terminology

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

Many people have heard of wood trusses and know that they may save a great deal of time and money for builders on many different job types.  Whether the construction involves a small home, a commercial building, or even a large apartment complex, trusses are often used to cut the cost of materials and labor compared to conventional framing.  However, even though many people know that trusses save money, they may not understand the basics of what trusses are made of or how they work.  In fact, many people think that a truss building is quite complicated and that trusses are extremely difficult to design and build.

In reality, trusses are relatively simple structures that, nevertheless, are incredibly versatile and functional.  The basics of a truss roof allow for almost limitless variations, making roof trusses one of the most adaptable components on a construction job.

What Is A Wooden Roof Truss and How Is It Built?

A wooden roof truss is, at its simplest, are pieces of wood connected with metal plates and either nails or screws.  Some form of truss construction has actually been used for thousands of years, but the modern truss has been produced since about the 1960s.  By making trusses very uniform and easy to create, mass production was made possible. 

Wooden trusses that are connected with metal plates are by far the most common type used in residential applications.  The lumber used is typically 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 timber, often Doug Fir or Spruce Pine.   

The Parts of the Truss

A truss generally has three sides which make up its perimeter, although specialty trusses may have more.  The typical truss has a triangular shape made of members called “chords.”  Between these, a varying number of pieces called “webs” connect each of the chords together.  These are all held together with toothed metal plates that are pressed or screwed in place.  Once a truss is fabricated and put together, it is incredibly strong.  The metal plates provide security and anchoring, while the wood allows for a certain amount of flexibility, meaning that trusses can bend and flex to a degree in high winds or under stress, avoiding breakage.  Truss roofs often last for many years thanks to this durability.

Trusses are typically categorized two ways:  as parallel chord trusses, which are used in flooring or for flat roofing; and in the more common pitched chord trusses, which are used for sloped roofing.  With pitched chord trusses, variations in the angles of the members can create any roof pitch needed, allowing builders a wide range of creativity in roofing options. 

If you want to know more about truss roofing or flooring, the professionals at Stone Truss are happy to help!  Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you save money and time on your next building project.

roof and floor trusses Southern California 11

Trusses vs. Rafters: The Real Cost Breakdown

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

You have probably heard at some time or other that trusses cost less than rafters as a roof framing option.  Is this really true?  If so, how much less do trusses cost?  More importantly, why is there such a cost differential between trusses and rafters, and given that this difference exists, why do people choose rafters over trusses in some situations?

Why People Choose Trusses Over Rafters–and Vice Versa 

People most often choose trusses over rafters for three reasons:  durability, ease of installation, and cost.  Trusses are built to withstand much greater forces than many rafters, making them ideal for areas with high winds or other adverse weather conditions.  Furthermore, trusses are very easy to install; often, a truss roofline can be completed in a single day, even on a relatively large home or office building.  Finally, trusses are almost always cheaper than rafters in overall cost.

However, there are some applications in which builders believe rafters may be a better option.  These are often custom roofing jobs in which the spaces are hard to reach or the roofing must be handmade to fit an oddly-shaped space, or in which there are last-minute changes to a plan that necessitate “on the fly” roofing.  However, in most cases, trusses can be built to accommodate almost any roofline, so pre-ordering trusses is almost always the better option.

Trusses truly save money over rafters in a number of ways.  The reason that trusses cost so much less include:

  • Trusses use less material. One of the biggest problems with stick-built rafters is that they use far more material than pre-made trusses.  Waste can become a huge issue at building sites.  Not only does the builder have to buy more material to account for waste, but the cutoff material must then be disposed of, often at additional cost.
  • Trusses use less labor. Labor costs are a significant portion of any building budget, and trusses can save tremendously in terms of the hours needed for installation.  This can end up saving the builder a significant amount of money over the life of the project.  Because trusses can be installed by fewer workers, labor costs are reduced; furthermore, the skill level required to install trusses is generally less than that required to build rafters, allowing skilled crafts people to spend their time elsewhere on the job.
  • Trusses require no storage. Builders can easily avoid storage fees and other costs associated with protecting and storing materials on the job site over a long period of time by buying trusses.  Trusses are built to order and delivered on demand, allowing the builder to choose the time and place.  This lets the builder have control over inventory without the need for expensive storage options.

At Stone Truss, we have spent decades producing quality truss roofing and flooring products for our San Diego area customers.  With years of experience, our company has come to represent a trusted name in trusses throughout southern California and beyond.  We deliver well-built products on time to your building site, and our professionals can support you throughout the process with timely and knowledgeable answers to your questions or concerns.  Give us a call today to learn more about the Stone Truss difference!

32b2fc_2898993b513a4a9dbf27a1606a4fee24~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2

Price Differences Among Roof Types

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

Builders have several options when it comes to roof types.  Generally speaking, the more complicated the roof the more expensive it is to build.  A simple gable structure with one continuous run is much more cost-effective than a roofline that is broken with several dormers, hips and other shapes to add visual interest.  However, even the cost of a complicated roofline can be kept affordable by using the right materials.

How Do Roof Trusses Save Money? 

There are several ways that roof trusses help builders save on costs.  Even when a roof plan is fairly complex, the use of trusses can significantly lower the cost.  Here are some of the ways roof trusses save money:

  • Savings on material costs. One of the biggest problems with building roofs onsite at a building project is the amount of waste that is generated.  Not only does stick-building rafters generate a tremendous amount of waste material, but it also creates a great deal of debris that must be cleaned up and transported away from the site.  This often leads to unexpected cost increases that must be absorbed by the builder.  With roof trusses, there is no waste; trusses are delivered fully assembled and must simply be installed in their proper places. Currently material costs are at an all-time high, so ordering trusses from a reliable manufacturer is a good way to control this aspect of building expense.  Truss costs incorporate not only the wood but also the metal plates, nails, screws and other hardware that goes into building them, whereas a builder installing rafters must absorb all of those costs as well.  Trusses can be built of almost any type of wood, but most truss manufacturers opt for a blend of strong, light species that produce quality trusses at a very modest price.  Additionally, because truss manufacturers order so much wood in bulk quantities they can often acquire materials at a much lower price than individual builders.
  • Savings on labor. Labor cost is one of the biggest reasons stick-built rafters are so much more expensive than trusses.  Labor costs to build rafters do not simply include the cost of workers to install the rafters, as is the case with trusses.  Instead, more people are often required to be at the job site, and those workers must be fairly skilled in measuring, cutting and installing rafters properly.  This means higher hourly wages for these workers in comparison with installers for trusses.  Often, the savings in labor costs alone can justify the use of trusses rather than stick-built rafters.

At Stone Truss, we have been working with roofers and builders for decades to help them find affordable solutions for their construction projects.  With the help of quality roofing and flooring trusses, builders in San Diego have been saving money with Stone Truss products for years.  If you want to save money on your next build, give the professionals at Stone Truss a call and learn how we can help!

32b2fc_dfad62e5e2314eb396963d5cbba84c6ff000

Three Advantages Of Designing Trusses

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

We all know that trusses are strong, durable and cost-effective, but many builders also believe–falsely, as it turns out–that they are boring.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  With the right truss design, builders can not only bring quality and efficiency to their building projects but can also create unique shapes and spaces that make their homes stand out.

What Is Truss Design? 

A truss is simply a prefabricated structure, usually made of wood with metal fasteners, that holds up the roof of the house.  Their members, or pieces, sit inside an external frame and help deflect force; as a result, trusses can hold up a great deal of weight relative to their size and can withstand pressure from different angles.

Trusses provide a quick and economical way to build a roof that avoids the problem of stick-building rafters in place.  However, most roof trusses are mass-produced in particular shapes or sizes that are common for homes.  This leads to the impression that this is the only way trusses can be produced.

In reality, trusses can be designed and built to any specifications and still offer cost-effectiveness and strength. 

Three Advantages of Unique Truss Design 

Designing unique trusses does take some time, but there are several advantages in custom-built trusses that make them worth the extra effort.

  • Truss design allows builders to create unique profiles and shapes. One thing that many buyers are looking for these days is to avoid the “cookie cutter” look of so many mid- to late-century suburban developments.  An easy way to make a home stand out from its neighbors is to change the roofline.  If many homes on the street have gable roofs, a hip roof will definitely be a standout!  Additionally, more and more plans today offer alternatives to various rooflines, allowing homeowners to choose the precise look they want.  This, in turn, allows builders to have some leeway with how the roof is formed and the final presentation.
  • Truss design allows builders to work around problem areas. Not all homes are the same, and for some, problem areas may exist with current rooflines.  This is particularly true if water is not shedding properly or if the roofline for some reason is not holding up well at the site.  With unique truss design, a builder can work with a truss manufacturer to reshape all or part of a roofline to work with its environment.
  • Truss design allows builders to add to current plans. If a plan calls for a gable roof, but the owners would like current or future expansion under the roofline, one of the easiest ways to change this is to change the trusses used.  Moving from gable to attic-space trusses, which contain a central void for the new space, is a quick and economical way to add more space to a home instantly, without a huge investment in expansion.

At Stone Truss, we offer San Diego builders options to help them satisfy even the most discerning clients.  Give us a call today to talk about unique and custom truss design for your next building project!