If you plan to construct a house in Sydney, Australia, you will want to know which roof construction to select. There are several to consider, such as:
- Common Rafters
- Steel Trusses
- Or Timber Trusses
Every Sydney carpenter knows these options have their pros and cons, and it depends on your budget, design concept, and your general preferences. However, this article will focus on one of the most popular and beneficial options: Roof trusses.
When it comes to timber, roof trusses are wooden frames that act as supports for the rooftop space between the walls. They are constructed from top-quality timber that is cut, shaped, and joined using metal connectors.
They are tailor-made to suit several requirements of each project, and the dimensions can even be modified to fit the rooftop shape and style that the client wants.
An Australian Staple
Timber roof trusses have enjoyed widespread use across Australia over the years and have been demonstrated as a trustworthy and low-cost practice for a broad range of buildings, starting from:
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- And Even Agricultural…
They come along with a number of advantages that make them a worthy investment for a new dwelling. Here are some of the main benefits of timber roof trusses:
Benefit 1: Cost Efficiency
The most important advantage of timber roof trusses is that they are cost-effective.
Compared to other types of roof structures, timber roof trusses can save you money in several ways, such as:
- Lower Material Costs: In Australia, Timber is a low-cost, natural resource that is abundantly available. The economics are based mainly on its efficient performance since trusses are designed to yield minimum roof material with maximum strength. In the process, you use less timber than with conventional rafters. They are also less dependent on other materials; for example, there would be no necessity to use steel beams, columns or bracing, which are expensive and may not be readily available.
- Lower Labour Costs: Timber roof trusses are made beforehand within the factory setting from where they are cut, formed, and drilled with tremendous accuracy. This is time and labour-saving, removing the on-site work requirement of getting trusses lifted and fixed. This also lowers the potential for mistakes, delays or misfortunes that come with high costs and project duration.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Timber roof trusses are incredibly stable and impervious to the weather, fire, termites, and rot due to a process of treatment with preservatives and fire retardants. They give you a good lifespan of 50 years or more with good maintenance and care. Maintenance costs can add up, but at least with trusses, you don’t have to worry.
Research conducted by the Timber Development Association of Australia reveals that roofing trusses made of timber can save 25% of the overall roof cost compared to ordinary rafters and 40% to steel trusses. Therefore, it’s a money-saver.
Benefit 2: Design Flexibility
Timber roof trusses are highly advantageous due to the great amount of design flexibility they allow.
Compared to other types of roof structures, timber roof trusses can accommodate a wide range of roof shapes, sizes, and styles, such as:
- Gable Roof: It is the prevailing and easiest kind of roof with two sloping sides that join at the top of a ridge. It can be adjusted easily to various pitches, spans and heights and is suitable for all kinds of houses, traditional or modern.
- Hip Roof: This roof has four different sloping sides that meet at a point or a ridge. It is a better choice in terms of stability and resistance to wind than a gable roof and can give a more consistent and balanced look. It can also give more room in the attic and superior ventilation.
- Skillion Roof: This kind of roof has one side slope and can be joined to another roof or wall. It is also called a shed roof or a lean-to. It is inexpensive to build and gives a modern, minimalist feel. It can also permit more daylight and rainwater infiltration.
- Curved Roof: This shaped roof is called curved or an arch as it provides a fabulous view. It can also offer additional airflow and diminish the wind and snow load. This can be a timber reconditioned building using the required trusses that are either bent or cut to the needed shape.
These are just but a few types of roof shapes that timber roofing trusses can support. They can also be tailor-made for designs, such as:
- Vaulted Ceilings
- Dormer Windows
- Sky Lights
- Or Pipework or other Ventilation…
It can also be further combined with other materials, such as metal frames, glass, or tile work on a roof.
Flexibility is yet another advantage of a design that makes timber roof trusses your most future-proof choice for a new home. They may provide you with different options and opportunities and assist you in designing a roof of the type that corresponds to your vision and style.
Benefit 3: Environmental Friendliness
The last advantage of wooden trusses is that they are ecologically sustainable.
Compared to other types of roof structures, timber roof trusses have a lower environmental impact in areas such as:
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Timber is also a structural material composed of natural components that offsets carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the greenhouse effect. This leads to a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. Limiting greenhouse gases is a major fight to help keep our planet cool. The University of Technology Sydney conducted a study to find that ordinary timber roofing can make savings of about 2.5 tons of CO2 per home. So, timber roof trusses can save some 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per home when compared to steel.
- Lower Energy Consumption: Wood is a good insulator, keeping the heat in the house in cold weather or outside in the summer. This minimises the energy demand on heating or cooling systems that emit large-scale emissions. A Forest and Wood Products Australia study reports that using timber roofing trusses can conserve 17% of the energy consumed compared to steel roof trusses.
- Lower Waste Generation: Timber is biodegradable, thus recyclable, and hence can be disposed of in a proper manner without causing harm to the environment. Timber roofing trusses are also prefabricated, and the ideal quantity of material is also used, minimising construction and demolition waste. A study carried out by the Timber Development Association of Australia established that wooden roof trusses could cut waste material produced by almost 90% when compared to traditional rafters.
SUMMARY
Every Sydney carpenter knows that timber roof trusses are eco-friendly, this adds to the list of its numerous merits that contribute to its futurity in your new home. They can provide you with a viable and environmentally sound alternative that will enable you to minimise your carbon footprint and support a more nature-oriented and healthier world. Knowing that wood is long-lasting and sustainable means a lot to many.
