The Different Types of Roof Trusses and their Uses
Roof trusses, also known as Trussed Rafters, are the most popular form of roof framing in the UK, providing a flexible, quicker installation and more affordable engineered solution for roofs; roof trusses can use up to 40% less timber than a traditional cut roof.
Not all roof trusses are the same though. Roof trusses can come in all shapes and sizes depending on your build project. Keep reading to find out more about the different types of roof trusses and their uses.
Roof shapes
Roof trusses are used to construct a variety of roof shapes such as Hip, ‘T’ intersection, ‘L’ return, overlaid hip and a dogleg intersection.
Shapes & Profiles
Roof trusses can come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. To decide the best solution for your roof, contact one of our experienced designers to discuss your specific requirements.
The following show the range of roof truss profiles that are most commonly used.
Attic Truss
The attic truss – or “room in roof truss” – provides a simple structural roof and floor as one complete section. Attic trusses are becoming more common as they offer more living space without having to change the footprint of the house. For further information about attic trusses, take a look at our product page here.
Fink Truss
A fink truss is the most common type of truss used, especially on homes and pedestrian buildings. The truss has an internal web configuration shaped like a W to give the ultimate strength to material ratio for spans from around 5m to around 9m in span which covers the majority of domestic dwelling being built today.
Hip Truss
The hip truss forms the basis of the hipped end roof shape, but can also be used to provide a flat roofed section between roof slopes where the overall height of the building is an issue.
Mono Truss
Raised Tie Truss
Scissor Truss
Mono trusses are sloped in one direction only and are used to create multiple level roof lines. They also can be used as an addition to an existing building.
Raised tie trusses are used to provide a higher ceiling line for extra headroom. This type of truss is ideal for increasing the height of the room without needing to increase the overall height of the building.
A scissor truss is similar to the raised tie truss but the sloping ceiling is at a shallower angle to the outer roof pitch giving more strength to the truss and therefore giving more flexibility in design. The ceiling line on the scissor truss can be fully pitched or with a flat section in the centre.
Further truss types include the following:
King Post Truss – for small spans.
Queen Post Truss – for slightly larger spans.
Fan Truss – for spans larger than the fink truss range.
Girder Truss – special trusses designed to support other trusses or areas of infill.
Lattice Truss – used within a roof to support other trusses or for large flat roofs.
Gable End Truss – spans across an opening in a gable wall and designed to be clad on-site.
For more information about Pasquill roof trusses and to enquire, visit our Roof Trusses page.
