Residential
roofs are often built using two different framing methods:
Piece-by-piece
– (Stick or Steel)
Pre-manufactured
trusses.
Although,
some homes use a combination of both.
Your
roof's style and your construction budget will be the main
factors in determining the type you choose. However, there are
likely to be other factors involved, such as building codes,
roof pitch, or the desire for an attic space.
Stick
Framing System—is a
roof frame built from scratch by affixing each individual
ceiling joist, rafter and beam in its proper place. This
system is more labor intensive. Therefore, it may take longer
to construct than other types of roof structures. However, it
may be worth it to get the type of roof and ceiling design
that you truly want.
Truss
System—is comprised of multiple, often
pre-manufactured, load bearing roof units built of either wood
or steel.
Each
unit is then affixed atop two parallel exterior wall caps and
span the entire distance between the walls. The style of your
roof and ceiling dictates the style of trusses used for your
home.
There
are special trusses designed to allow for a vaulted, tray,
coffered, or flat ceiling. Some that will even allow for an
attic space.
Some
manufacturers will also build custom designed roof trusses to
suit your needs.
Check
out these web sites for framing information:
http://www.hometips.com/hyhw/structure/118roof.html
http://www.slcc.edu/tech/techsp/arch/courses/ARCH1210/Photos/trusslay.jpg
http://www.askbuild.com/cgi-bin/column?203
There
are alternative materials being used to construct the structural
frame of a roof such as; steel, concrete, or both. Of course, if
you use concrete, steel reinforcement is required to keep the
concrete from coming down on top of you.
Concrete
and steel has been used in commercial building for years, but
not commonly in residential construction. Nowadays, more and
more residential construction is leaning towards steel and
concrete to use as an alternative to wood.
If
you have a builder in your area that specializes in either steel
or concrete work, it may be worth the extra effort to include
them in your research to find out if an alternative system could
be perfect for your home.
|
