roof trusses san diego

Headroom in Attics With Trussed Roof Options

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

Many people think of the traditional triangle-shaped truss as the only Trussed Roof option, and therefore assume that truss roofing applications are very limited. In fact, many people assume that unless you want a straight gable roof with a particular pitch, you cannot utilize Trusses. Nothing could be further from the truth! Not only do roof trusses allow you to build roofs of all different shapes and sizes, including gables, hips, gambrels and other forms, but they also allow you to incorporate headroom to create useable, space in your attic area.

Creating Headroom In An Attic

The trick to creating headroom in an attic and thereby offering useable space, is creating a “opening” in the truss’s center that can be framed out to form a room. While the traditional truss often takes a triangle shape with chords extending through the center area, it is also possible to build trusses that contain a rectangular or square shape in the center. This hollow can eventually become can room.

What makes this space useable, in most cases, is the headroom. Because of this, many homes that utilize under-roof attic space have steeper pitches than traditional gable roofs, or employ a steeper design. Because these designs are inherently steeper in pitch, they make it easier to incorporate hollowed truss design to utilize the space.

The use of these types of trusses opens a world of possibility of utilizing previously sacrificed attic space while still keeping costs low. In fact, with the right plans, you can easily add hundreds of square feet of useable space to your home without increasing your cost, simply by recapturing some of your unused attic space with trusses. This allows you to take advantage of your home’s natural space rather than adding on additional square footage, making your build more cost-effective.

At Stone Truss, we have been working for many years with San Diego builders to design, build and deliver quality roof trusses of all types to building sites in our area. Our trusses are sturdy, well-made and will last for years to come. Finally, once your design is created, we drop the trusses off to you at your job site, saving you storage costs and allowing you to get your building’s roof up quickly. We can often save our clients significantly over the cost of stick-built rafters with a good roof truss plan. Call us today to get started with your next building project and see how incredibly easy it is to create beautiful, functional living space, even when you use convenient truss roofing!

roof trusses san diego

Five Benefits of Roof Trusses

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

Builders are faced with many choices as they construct homes and businesses.  Not only do they have to choose where to source their materials to find the best quality for their projects, but they also have to make design and building choices as to the best way to construct safe, sturdy buildings.  One of the easier ways to ensure that a home or business will stand the test of time and offer low-maintenance quality for years to come is to choose Roof Trusses rather than stick-built rafters.  There are several reasons that Roof Trusses are a good choice for homes and businesses, and these reasons explain why trusses are so popular with knowledgeable builders.

Five Benefits of Roof Trusses 

Roof Trusses offer five major benefits to homeowners, including:

  • Roof Trusses are one of the best ways to provide a safe, solid roof for any building.  Trusses are extremely strong because of their construction.  Using various members at different angles within the basic truss shape gives trusses extreme strength in the face of shear from high winds, torsion from settling and other stresses that can destroy regular rafter roofs.
  • Ease of construction. One of the biggest benefits of Roof Trusses is how easy it is to install.  Because it is so easy to use, Roof Trusses makes quick work of even the toughest construction projects.  Further, trusses require far less manpower and skills to install than stick-built rafters, so builders can quickly install Roof Trusses without large, expensive work crews.
  • Cost savings. Because trusses are easier to install than stick-built rafters, there is also a significant cost savings for the builder, and ultimately for the client.  Trusses can cut the cost of roofing significantly when compared to stick-built rafters, particularly when the cost of purchasing materials, waste, storage and other factors are included in the final calculation.  Because trusses are delivered on request, they ultimately save money in more ways than one.
  • Trusses can be used to design almost any type of roof.  From nearly flat to high, peaked rooflines, from gables to hip roofs, trusses can be used for all types of aesthetic effects.  Builders love Roof Trusses because they do not have to worry about stick-building rafters for all types of roofs; instead, they can order the trusses from the manufacturer in any shape imaginable, then simply install them.
  • Roof Trusses are known for their long-lasting durability, especially when compared to other types of roofing.  Over the life of a roof, trusses will offer exceptional wear and provide years of safe, hassle-free enjoyment.

If you are considering using Roof Trusses for your next building project, look no further than Stone Truss.  We have been working with San Diego builders for decades to help them create homes and businesses of beauty and durability, as well as saving them money on construction costs.  Our professionals are ready to work with you to help you learn more about the many benefits of using Roof Trusses.  Give us a call today to learn more, and get started on your next building project with a plan to use reliable, cost-effective truss construction!

TRUSS1

Building Creative Rooflines With Truss Construction

by Roof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

While Trusses are often used to speed up building time, particularly with homes or businesses that need very similar roofline construction, trusses can create unique, beautiful roofs as well.  The idea that truss builds must be boring and “cookie cutter” is simply not true.  With a good design, any truss application can be created that gives your project beauty and appeal as well as function, convenience and cost savings.

Building Creative Rooflines

Many builders think of trusses as a great solution for simple gable-style roofs that run the span of a home in one direction.  Of course, his is one of the easiest roofs to construct and is therefore often used to keep building costs low.  However, trusses do not have to be limited to the same old boring rooflines.  They can also be designed and built to give your project aesthetic appeal.  Some examples of ways you can use trusses to quickly create beautiful, unique rooflines include:

  • Hip roofs. Trusses are not only suitable for gable roofing.  Hip roofs are also a great choice for trusses, which make constructing hips very fast and simple.  Hips are often used, especially in varying sizes, to give multi-level rooflines such as those found on cottage or chateau-inspired plans.
  • Flat roofs. In San Diego, the architecture of many homes and businesses is inspired by Central American, South Western and Spanish styles.  Many of these include flat rooflines that draw attention away from the roof and to the beautiful stucco walls and courtyards that are the hallmark of these styles.  Flat rooflines can be very difficult to build correctly while incorporating the proper slope for drainage, but truss construction solves that problem quickly.  Builders can create a lovely flat roof that is also functional and reliable.
  • Gambrel or Bowstring styles. Some styles rely on generous curves and slopes to create a barn-like effect.  These types of roofs, usually in the gambrel or bowstring style, may also serve another function:  they offer under-roof space in attics for future expansion of living space.  Gambrel or bowstring trusses make it easy to construct these types of rooflines quickly, whether the purpose is to gain immediate square footage or simply prepare for future additions.  Homeowners often find it a great selling point when a house has the possibility of easy future additions at a relatively low cost.

At Stone Truss in San Diego, we have spent decades creating the right truss roofing and flooring solutions for our customers.  Our professionals can help you design the right trusses for your needs, the build them with quality materials and deliver them to your building site on demand.  With our professional, quick and affordable services, you can utilize the many benefits of truss roofs and floors at a price that will keep you within your building budget and ultimately improve your bottom line. Give us a call today at (760) 967-6171 to learn more about how Stone Truss can help you with your next building project.

Wood trusses San Diego

The Many Shapes of Roof Trusses–Gables

by Floor TrussesRoof TrussesWood Trusses San Diego

There are many different shapes and styles of roof trusses, and what you choose will depend on your specific building needs.  Some shapes are more suitable for certain applications than others.  You will also want to choose your roof trusses based on the look you want for your structure. 

It can be difficult to choose the right truss type for your build, so here is some information to help you. 

Gables–The Most Common Type of Truss 

The most common type of truss available is the gable truss.  Gables are traditional triangular trusses that include a certain number of webbing members or central posts.  The number and direction of the central webbing member will determine the particular type of gable truss you are using.  Gable roofs, also known as peaked or pitched roofs, are the most common in American construction, offering a cost effective alternative to more elaborate construction.

  • King Post. A king post truss is one of the simplest forms of gable truss, consisting only of a triangle with a central post holding up the apex of the shape.  This simple truss is useful when you simply need to hold up light roofing material, as with a shed or other small structure.  It is not suitable for most housing projects, although variations can be built that will hold more load.  The advantage of the king post truss for smaller buildings is that it is relatively inexpensive, using far fewer materials than other types of trusses.
  • Queen Post. A queen post truss is similar to the king post, but adds additional members between the king post and the outer edges of the truss.  This provides much more support, so the queen post truss can hold a larger load.than simple king post trusses.
  • Howe and Double Howe. The howe and double howe trusses are similar to the queen post in that they employ a central king post structure, but instead of a single central member on each side, the members are supported by smaller members that lie parallel to the king post.  This configuration offers durability and strength, and also allows the truss to stand up to torsion from wind. 
  • Fink and Double Fink. The fink and double fink trusses are different from the king post, queen post and howe models in that they use angled members across the span of the truss rather than building off a central king post.  This allows the trusses to have incredible flexibility in all directions, and makes them a good choice for applications in which high winds may be an issue.

If you are looking for the right trusses for your building project, look no further.  Stone Truss has been creating quality roofing truss products for decades for builders throughout the San Diego area.  Give us a call today to discuss your truss roofing needs with one of our professionals, and see how much we can help you save time and money on your next building project!