Replacing Roof Rafters With Trusses

Homeowners should avoid cutting or modifying their roof trusses.

Replacing roof rafters with trusses. Step 3 reinforce the roof rafters. Roof trusses are a common means of support and load bearing. However if you want to better utilize the space in your loft you may consider changing roof trusses and going for stick framing or rafters instead. While the majority of today s roofs are built using trusses 1 most roofs were originally built using rafters.

Repairing a roof truss often requires replacing or reinforcing wood in its construction. A roof truss is a frame typically made of wood to carry the weight of the roof s exterior surface. The trussed rafters loft conversion process is a cost effective method of adding more volume and value to your property provided you re not in any violation of building codes in. Generally a roof truss is composed of triangular shapes for proper support of the roof.

These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company in order to carry a specific roof load. One use of trusses is for the support of a roof. Replacing the standard w shaped trusses with steel beams across the length of the floor allows you to create a much larger and functional attic space for the house. Sistering new trusses to old ceiling joists is problematic as there are usually a lot of obstacles like electrical outlets.

Replacing rafters with trusses. Rafters are large pieces of lumber that are constructed and fit on site to form the roof. For a 2 000 square foot home roof truss installation typically costs between 7 200 and 12 000 you ll spend anywhere from 1 50 to 4 50 per square foot for materials alone or between 35 and 150 though extremely long and complex types can reach 400 each labor runs anywhere from 20 to 75 per hour ranges in both materials and labor are due to location size and roof complexity. Stupid idea of the week.

Trusses are similar to roof rafters. This will remain in place to support the roof once the trusses have been removed. When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a. The process of replacing existing rafters so that your roof remains intact without removing the roof to do it requires some basic carpentry skills and a few common tools.

Remember any alterations to a roof should be undertaken only with an engineer. After you have the support beams in place the next step is to reinforce the roof rafters and install any additional rafters from the support header to your sidewalls.