Whether we are in summer or fall, your roof protects your home and is important to maintain. The foundation of your roof lies in trusses. Trusses are sets of beams that are connected together by nodes to keep your roof rigid, strong, and sturdy.
These days, trusses are either made from steel or wood. If you want to beef up your roof before things get messy, should you choose steel or wood trusses? Find out below.
Looking for Durability? Go with Steel
Steel is one of the strongest metals (technically an alloy) available on the market. The alloy is lighter yet stronger than wood, allowing it to cover greater spans of distance.
Traditional wood trusses also deal with problems like insect infestations, mold, decay, warping, and proneness to fires. If any of these were to happen, the durability of the wooden trusses would diminish significantly. With steel, these problems are eliminated, which is why steel is considered the more durable option.
Looking for Price? Go with Wood
Wood trusses are usually cheaper than their steel counterparts. Wood ranges anywhere between $35 to $400 per truss depending on the size of the roof, and you can expect steel to cost roughly double this range.
Looking for Design Flexibility? Go with Steel
The combination of lightness and strength gives steel trusses an upper hand when it comes to design. Spanning large distances with wood causes flexion and bends the wood. Eventually, this can cause premature snapping and damage. Steel trusses can span longer distances because of their material properties, and you need fewer steel trusses for the same amount of structural support. This offers a cleaner, more open, and clutter-free look.
In a Roof Emergency? Go with Wood
If your roof is about to come crashing down, or has already done so, wood might be the option to go for. If you are not able to find another place to stay, know that wood trusses can be installed much faster. This will save time and get your house protected from the elements sooner rather than later.
Nebraska Structural Safety provides expert structural engineering assessment across Nebraska. If you have concerns about your building's structural integrity, contact our team for a professional evaluation.