Compared to steel trusses, timber roof trusses are economical and environmentally friendly. They are made from timber, a renewable resource. Besides, they are also light in weight.
What is the maximum distance between trusses?
Timber roof trusses are widely used in commercial buildings in Canada and Europe. In addition to that, they are also being used in residential applications in the US and Japan. Their high thermal efficiency and ease of construction make them popular among architects.
However, timber roof truss require a lot of maintenance. They are also affected by damp and rot. Because of this, it is important to choose high quality materials and experienced workers when making them. Moreover, they are vulnerable to fire. Lastly, they should be built with reinforcing plates to provide additional strength.
Timber roof trusses are also subject to damage by wind. This can cause them to be lifted off the ground. If this happens, it can damage them or cause them to collapse. It can also cause the trusses to crack. Hence, it is important to construct them using reinforcement plates and gussets.
If you are planning to construct a truss, you need to make sure that you have enough space to install it. Generally, larger structures require larger sizes of timber. Usually, 2×6 or 2×8 size timber is used. Besides, larger sizes of timber offer aesthetic benefits.
Timber roof trusses can be constructed without the use of cranes. However, they should be installed with the help of a structural engineer.