Over 80% of American homes use manufactured trusses as their roof system today. This increasingly popular system has revolutionized the way builders construct roofs, as trusses allow for increased design flexibility, lowers costs, and a quicker building process. The truss shape has been used for centuries because of its lower costs and longer spans. However, it was not until 1952 that the metal-plate-connected engineered wood truss was invented and patented. Founder of Sanford Industries, A. Carroll Sanford began experimenting with plywood gusset plates and varying combinations of glue, staples, nails, and screws to create a new industry that is still transforming home, apartment, and commercial building construction worldwide.
Most builders today will agree that manufactured trusses transcend the conventional roof frame in almost every aspect. Manufactured trusses yield up to 25% lower costs than conventional roofing practices. Because building manufactured trusses requires less skilled carpenters, labor costs are considerably lower. Manufactured trusses establish more speed and accuracy in building complex roof and ceiling designs. Manufactured trusses also allows for accelerated roof construction which prevents weather elements and moisture from damaging the building’s interior. Additionally, manufactured trusses are incredibly flexible, allowing for any custom roof design imaginable.
A common truss takes on various shapes and sizes, with different web configurations and chord sizes. It is important to match the correct truss style with the desired roof characteristics. At Engineering Solutions, we provide the required load per current code regulations for these trusses and desired profile of the truss. This process is necessary in determining the strength and style of each truss. When building a roof, Engineering Solutions often suggests the use of trusses as the cost and time savings are considerable, guaranteeing that our clients receive the most affordable and efficient deal.