A roof truss is a prefabricated structural frame that supports a roof’s weight. Its webbed framing is designed to evenly distribute the roof’s load to the external walls and foundation. Their strength comes from their triangular design, which allows them to support heavy loads like tiles, sheeting and possible environmental loads like wind and rain.
Often, these trusses are manufactured from quality steel that features a protective coating to enhance their durability and ensure a long life for your roofing structure.
Perth’s thriving construction industry demands reliable and high-quality roofing solutions, and as builders and contractors know, the foundation of a great roof lies in steel roof trusses, which prove to be the most durable and cost-effective option for construction projects.
Key Advantages of Steel Roofing Trusses
They offer unmatched resilience with exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, which resists Perth’s diverse and sometimes harsh weather conditions. While all steel is susceptible to rust if unprotected, high-quality steel trusses are coated to ensure they remain strong over time.
The manufacturing process significantly decreases the overall project cost. Due to the trusses being produced in a factory setting, the requirement for intensive on-site labour is significantly reduced. This efficiently saves both construction time and money. While the initial purchase price may be higher than wood, factors like precision off-site fabrication, reduced material waste, energy efficiency, and resistance to pests and weather contribute to significant savings over the building’s lifespan.
Steel trusses are not a one-size-fits-all product. They offer significant design flexibility as they can be precisely engineered to meet the unique requirements of almost any construction project. The high strength-to-weight ratio of steel allows for large, clear spans, creating open and spacious interiors without internal supports and is available in a wide variety of shapes and configurations, allowing for innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs.
The steel roof truss installation is highly efficient due to the prefabrication, lightweight components, and precision engineering. This means that construction times are lower, labour costs decrease, and on-site waste is drastically improved. Prefabricated trusses can be hoisted and secured quickly, often using simple tools, and don’t require the time-consuming individual installation of rafters.
Why Roof Trusses are Better than Rafters
A truss is an engineered rigid framework that provides the overall structural support for roofing. In the past, roofing was supported by simple wooden rafters that required complex and time-consuming on-site cutting and assembly. The invention of the steel roof truss revolutionised the construction industry and set higher health and safety standards for all construction work.
The fundamental principle of roof trusses lies in its use of triangular shapes, as it is the only geometric shape that cannot change form unless broken. This inherent stability allows the truss to effectively and evenly distribute the weight of a building and its outside environment.
| Feature | Steel Roof Trusses | Traditional Roof Rafters |
|---|---|---|
|
Construction |
Prefabricated: built off-site in a factory. |
Site-Built: cut and assembled on-site. |
|
Installation Speed |
Fast: delivered ready to lift into place. |
Slow: time-consuming on-site cutting/assembly. |
|
Structural Strength |
High: engineered for consistent load distribution. |
Good: depends on the carpenter’s skill. |
|
Spanning Capacity |
Long Spans: can cover large areas without internal walls. |
Limited Spans: often requires more internal supports. |
|
Cost |
Lower Total Cost: due to reduced on-site labour. |
Higher Total Cost: due to intensive on-site labour. |
|
Durability |
Excellent: resistant to fire, rot, and pests. |
Good: susceptible to rot, fire, and pests. |
Do Steel Trusses Rust?
While steel is inherently strong, it can definitely be susceptible to rust if not properly protected. Corrosion occurs when the trusses are exposed to moisture, oxygen and specific environmental elements. It is important to understand that although the galvanised coating protects the steel, it does not make it completely immune to it.
Why Should You Choose Our Roof Truss Services
At Dynamic Steel Form, we take the power of the engineered truss and execute it with the highest-grade materials and expertise. Our trusses are made from TRUECORE Steel, the benchmark for quality and performance. We ensure strength and durability, using the latest technology and engineering support to create custom, efficient roof trusses.
Our trusses are suitable for both tiled and steel roofs, accommodating pitches from 10° to 46° and up to 900mm eave overhangs. We offer design solutions for complex roof and ceiling profiles, including:
- Skillion Roof
- Porticos
- Raked Ceilings
- Coffered Ceilings
- Hip roof
- Bulkhead Ceilings
- Dutch Gables
- Expose Eaves
In an industry focused on efficiency, quality, and sustainability, steel roof trusses provide a superior alternative. They are sustainable, fire-resistant, and designed to last. Browse our range of steel building products online today. Our team also works closely with clients to design and manufacture trusses that meet their exact needs. Get in touch with us to learn how our trusses can benefit your construction project. If you have any questions, contact our team to find out more.