Considerations to Make When Installing Roof Trusses
A good roof can significantly increase the appeal of your home. Trusses are a vital component as they hold the roof in place. This article discusses the various considerations you should make when installing roof trusses.
Truss design.
Ask your draftsman or a truss-making company to design the roof trusses. There are various factors to take into consideration during the truss design. These include the building codes, roofing material, transportation to the site, raw materials and bracing system. The designer should visit your home to ensure that the truss design does not lead to risks such as contact with overhead power cables or tree branches.
Building material.
Trusses are either made from wood or steel. If you would like wooden trusses, choose high-quality treated wood that is resistant to weather and termite attack. When using green timber, you must account for shrinkage, as the wood will drastically reduce in size as it dries. Steel is considered an environmentally friendly option since it does not involve the destruction of forests. Steel trusses are considerably lighter than timber trusses. Most companies prefer to assemble the trusses on-site.
Storage.
If you purchase prefabricated trusses, you must be careful during transport and storage. To avoid damage during transport, work with a company that provides transport services to the site. Store the trusses on level ground. Otherwise, they could bend, causing problems during installation.
Installation.
For prefabricated trusses, ask the company to mark the trusses to ensure an easy time during installation. They should also provide an installation guide detailing how to align and brace the trusses. Lightweight trusses can be erected by personnel on-site. However, if the roof is a few storeys above the ground, you require a crane to lift the trusses.
Safety during installation.
Below are a few safety tips to follow during truss installation.
- Staff should have personal protective clothing including safety harnesses and fall arrest systems.
- Avoid working in windy or rainy conditions.
- Cranes should be operated by trained, qualified and experienced personnel.
- Secure the trusses with a spreader bar and two straps when lifting. Using a single strap could lead to accidents.
- Cutting a truss to make roofing adjustments could affect the structural integrity of your roof.
- Secure the trusses with temporary bracing as you install them. Storms and windy conditions could cause the trusses to fall, thus causing property damage and injury to personnel on-site.
The primary considerations to make when installing roof trusses are the truss design, building material, storage, installation and safety during installation.
Learn more from a company such as Prefab Technology Pty Ltd.
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