Planning constraints, type of roof finishes and overall designs are all factors influencing the choice of roofing system.

Trussed rafters or trusses are now specified for the majority of small to medium sized construction projects in the UK.  The truss is manufactured from high quality, stress graded timbers and steel nailplates.  This system of roof construction offers a number of advantages over traditional site formed roofs:

• trussed rafters can use 40% less material than a traditional roof

• on site labour costs are reduced as a result of the amount of prefabrication

• the roof structure can be erected very quickly to provide a weather tight shell.

Alongside are some of the more popular truss shapes and the options they provide.

The purlin roof is, perhaps, the simplest of site formed roofs, providing attractive timber lined "cathedral" ceilings throughout the building.

Hybrid systems combining different truss types or a mixture of truss and purlin can provide a variety of internal space options.

For larger, or more specialised projects our structural engineers provide a full design service.