Roof Trusses
Roof trusses or trussed rafters are used in the construction of the majority of new housing developments and commercial properties in the UK. Melingoed roof trusses are manufactured using sustainably sourced strength graded TR26 timber and MiTek punched metal plates.
Roofscapes and roof truss types
Roof trusses are usually combined to construct a wide variety of roof shapes or 'roofscapes'. Commonly constructed roofscapes and features include:
- Mono-pitch
- Duo-pitch
- Flat top hip
- Barn hip
- 'T' intersection
- 'L' return
- Overlaid hip
- Dogleg intersection
The wide range of trussed rafters provides for a huge variety of roofing styles. Here are a sample of commonly used truss profiles:
- Fink
- Mono
- Attic
- Scissor
- Raised collar or raised tie
- Valley
The most common and cost-effective trussed rafter is the 'fink' or 'W' webbed truss. With changes to the internal webbing, larger spans and more complex designs can be achieved. Roof trusses have the capacity to span in excess of 15 meters which can accommodate most projects!
Benefits of using Roof trusses
Economy
- Erection procedure is simple and repetitive, requiring only a minimum of skilled labour.
- Standard designs require only external walls to be load bearing, eliminating intermediate supports.
- Waste and pilferage are kept to a minimum.
- Roof trusses can be designed at up to 600 centres, giving economy in the use of timber.
- Just-in-time delivery to site suits construction schedules, reducing handling and storage costs.
Performance
- Design service: calculations for approving authorities are available on receipt of a firm order.
- Manufactured using the latest software to the requirements of Eurocode.
- Can be pressure treated, to preserve the timber.
Efficiency
- Offsite quality-controlled design and manufacture.
- Prefabricated components mean can be erected quickly.
- Made from timber a renewable building source.
- Minimal environment impact for manufacture and installation.
- Timed delivery to reduce the chance of pilfering, deterioration and damage.
Flexibility
- Architects and developers have free rein in forming economic roofscapes.
- Suitable for a wide range of roofscapes.
- Can be used with masonry, timber frame or steel construction.
