ROOF TRUSS TYPES

In today’s society, more and more focus is placed on safety, and this is why you need to have the
best possible roof truss types installed in your home.

A roof truss is basically a structure that includes one or multiple triangular units that include
straight slender members with their ends  connected via nodes.

It’s important to note that the external forces that appear here and their reactions are acting only
in the node area, but the way the structure is built allows the dispersion of these forces, be it as
comprehensive as they might be.

Also, the joints in a truss are seen as revolute, which means that the torsional forces are excluded.
But since there are different types of roof trusses, let’s find out which ones are the most popular
and what distinct features they have.

KING POST TRUSS

This particular truss is made out of wood most of the time, but it can also be built out of a
combination of steel and wood. It all comes down to the architect and the building structure. The
King Post Truss spans up to 8m, which makes it perfect for multiple types of houses, especially
the smaller ones.

PRATT TRUSS

This is one of the most popular steel roof truss types and it is quite economical. This particular
type of truss offers some interesting features mainly thanks to the fact that the vertical members
provide tension, while the diagonal ones are bringing in compression. It’s important to note that
these trusses can be used for spans that range between 6-10m.

QUEEN POST TRUSS

The Queen Post Truss is designed to be a very reliable, simple and versatile type of roof truss that
you can use at any given time. It offers a good span, around 10m, and it has a simple design
which makes it perfect for a wide range of establishments.

HOWE TRUSS

This type of truss is a combination of steel and wood, which makes it elegant, while also offering
a very appealing design. Almost everything is made out of wood, however, the tension members
or the vertical members are manufactured out of steel in order to offer extra support and
reliability!

One thing that makes the Howe Truss extraordinary is the fact that it has a very wide span, as it
can cover anything from 6-30m. This makes it versatile and very useful for a wide range of
project types.
FAN TRUSS

Just like you can see from many roof truss types pictures, the Fan Truss comes with a very simple
design and it’s made out of steel. In this particular situation, the trusses form a fink roof truss.

On top of that, the main characteristic here is that the top chords are split into smaller lengths, as
this allows the build to obtain purlin support. Also, you get a medium span with this type, around
10-15m, which is more than enough for most projects.

NORTH LIGHT ROOF TRUSS

The North Light Roof Truss is suitable for the larger spans that go over 20m and get up to 30m.
This happens because it’s cheaper to add a truss that has a wide, larger set of lattice girders that
include support trusses.

This method is one of the oldest, as well as most economical ones that you can find on the
market, as it allows you to bring in proper ventilation. Plus, the roof has more resistance too
because of that.

If you are looking for types of roof trusses design that bring in durability and versatility, this is a
very good one to check out. You can use it for industrial buildings, but this truss also works for
drawing rooms and in general those spaces that are very large.

QUADRANGULAR ROOF TRUSSES

These are used for large spans, and this is why you can encounter then in larger spaces, which
include auditoriums or even railway sheds.

PARALLEL CHORD ROOF TRUSS

These types of trusses are created specifically for those of us that want to engage in a roof
construction without having a large budget to begin with.

These are made out of wood and the best part about using them is that they don’t require any
beam nor bearing wall. Instead, they opt for full pieces of wood and thus lower the amount of
labor necessary for working with them.

It does require more space in the attic and the span might not be the best, but the price might
justify opting for it if you are on a budget.

SCISSOR ROOF TRUSS

A Scissor Roof Truss can particularly be found in cathedrals. It doesn’t require beams or bearing
walls, however it doesn’t leave that much space for insulation which makes its energy efficiency
very poor.

On the other hand, the upside here is that the ceiling gets vaulted and you receive more space in
the attic.
RAISED HEEL ROOF TRUSS

This is one of the most efficient types of timber roof trusses, mostly because it brings a very good
room for insulation, but at the same time it also provides you with a very good system for
structural support.

It might require some additional materials in order to make it bring the best results, not to
mention that the costs can be a little higher when compared to other truss types, but it does help
you lower the energy bill value, so keep that in mind.

Most roof trusses are easy to customize, but even so, there are so many of them that it all comes
down to you and the home design, because you are bound to like one that suits your needs.

9 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROOFING MATERIAL

Not long ago, asphalt shingles, slate, clay or concrete tiles were about the only roofing
options. Today, advanced roofing materials provide an unprecedented range of
alternatives, as well as new looks for existing materials. 

Here is a list of 9 different types of roofing to consider for your next re-roofing job:

    1. Solar tiles

Advanced solar collectors integrate seamlessly into existing shingles, generating up to 1

kilowatt of energy per 100 square feet. They’re particularly good for sunny roofs in
homeowners’ associations that forbid typical solar panels. While they may help offset
energy costs with solar power, they also cost more than traditional solar options.
    2. Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials in America because they’re
effective in all environmental conditions. Quality varies widely, so ask whether they pass
the ASTM D3161, Class F (110 mph) or ASTM D7158, Class H (150 mph) wind tests
and the AC438 durability test. Upfront costs are low, but you should expect to replace the
shingles after about 20 years. If you live in a hail prone area, consider impact resistant
shingles which have a UL 2218 Class 4 rating. Impact resistant shingles may qualify for a
discount on your homeowner’s premium.

    3. Metal roofing

Metal roofing comes in vertical panels or shingles resembling slate, tile and shake – and
lasts about 60 years. Metal excels at sloughing off heavy snow and rain, won’t burn and
resists high winds. It is lightweight and can be installed over existing roofs. However,
metal can be noisy during rainstorms, and may dent from hail. Average costs range
between $5 and $12 per square foot, depending on type and style of metal – which is
more than asphalt but less than concrete tiles. Corrosion also varies by material.
    4. Stone-coated steel

Interlocking panels mimic slate, clay or shingles and resist damage caused by heavy rains
(up to 8.8 inches per hour), winds of 120 miles per hour, uplifting, hail and freeze-thaw
cycles. Consequently, they’re an economical, effective choice for wet, windy regions or
areas prone to wildfires. Some stone-coated steel roofs are warranted for the lifetime of
the house.

    5. Slate

Slate roofing lasts more than 100 years. It won’t burn, is waterproof and resists mold and
fungus. Slate is effective in wet climates but is expensive, heavy and may be easily
broken when stepped on. Keep this in mind if you live in an area that experiences hail.

    6. Rubber slate

Rubber slate looks natural and can be cut with a knife to fit intricate roofs like those
found on Victorian homes. Rubber slate roofs can last 100 years but can be damaged by
satellite dishes and walking – so may also be susceptible to damage by hail, similar to
slate. Roofing professionals that are trained to install rubber slate may be hard to find.
    7. Clay and concrete tiles 

Clay and concrete roof tiles can withstand damage from tornadoes, hurricanes or winds
up to 125 miles per hour and even earthquakes, according to "A Summary of
Experimental Studies on Seismic Performance of Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles" by
the University of Southern California for the Tile Roofing Institute. They are good in
warm, dry climates. They may require extra support to bear their weight, and they are
likely to break when walked on.

    8. Green roofs

Green roofs are covered with plants and can improve air quality, reduce water runoff and
insulate homes to reduce urban heat islands. However, they need extra structural support,
a vapor barrier, thermal insulation, waterproofing, drainage, water filtration, soil,
compost and plants. Their estimated lifespan is 40 years.

    9. Built-up roofing

This heavy roofing consists of layers of asphalt, tar or adhesive topped with an aggregate
and is only for flat roofs. Tar and gravel roofs, also for flat roofs, are best for roof-top
decks with heavy foot traffic. These roofs may become sticky in summer, and it is harder
to shovel snow off of these roofs when compared to smooth surfaces. They can last 20 to
25 years.

The best type of roof for you really depends on your climate, budget and house. To see
what’s best in your area, talk with licensed roofing contractors and look at some of the
newer developments nearby to get ideas on what type of roofing material to use.

Regardless of what type of roof you go with, there is always a chance it can be damaged.
Roofing can be expensive, so you want to make sure you’re covered when the
unexpected happens.
Roofing Designs – Principles of Roofing Designs in the
Philippines

In this article, the topic will revolve around the different roofing designs that are commonly
applied in a housing project. The manner of how the roof is designed does not only revolved
around on aesthetic advantages but also relates to the functional aspect. Selecting the design of
the roof is a crucial decision because not only it protects the house and the occupants but also
plays a decisive role in the overall look of the structure. In selecting the roof design, it is
important to be knowledgable because each design offers different pros and cons. Roofing
designs are further broken down into  two different concepts namely: Lines and Profiles.

Roofing Lines – Formation of Roof Designs

Roofing lines are basically how the roof is laid on top of the structure. It is highly dependent on
the formation of the trusses that was constructed. Mainly, there are two common lines that are
usually applied to residential projects. However, there are other common lines
like Flat and Mansard that are omitted in this article.

Gable Roofs – Dos Aguas

The first popular roofing line is referred to as Gable Roofs which Filipinos refers to as “Dos
Aguas”. In terms of simplicity, this particular roofing line trumps the others. In layman’s term,
the design depicts an inverted V shape. The popularity is due to its simplicity of planning and
building which will eventually lead to a cheaper labor cost. Another advantage is
the flexibility of the architect to further blend other designs to the structure. However, it is not
ideal in an area where severe weather conditions (e.g. Heavy Rains and Strong Winds) are
rampant and other type of lines are preferred.

Hip Roofs – Quatro Aguas

The second roofing line is called Hip Roofs which Filipinos refers to as “Quatro Aguas”. From
the Spanish word quarto which means four, its design to have four sloping sides. Some complex
designs may contain several hips and can also blend to a gable style to provide a different look. In
terms of the functional aspect, this line is considered to be one of the strongest and can withstand
strong winds. However, hip roofs are costly to build due to its added complexity when compared
to a gable type. Moreover, additional seams can be problematic because of water leaks and must
be properly covered with flashing which further leads to additional material costs.
Roofing Profiles – How Roofing Designs are Bended

Roofing profiles are centered on how the steel is bended. Just like roofing lines, it does not only
revolves on the aesthetic aspect but also contributes to the functional aspect of the roof. With
each profile having different effective width, it may also affect the overall material cost. The
most common profiles are Corrugated, Rib and Tile Spans.
The first profile is referred to as corrugated. They are known for their wave type
appearance and are considered to be the most robust across the different variants of roof
designs. In terms of aesthetic aspect, they are usually coupled in having a traditional look.
Rib types are the second type of roof profile. From the name itself, its design to have a small
length of a flat surface followed by “plateau” which forms a rib. Due to their balance
between looks and costs, they are considered to be the most popular in some areas.
Across the different profiles, tile spans are considered to be the most modern design. The design
of this profile aims to imitate a “tile” like appearance of the roof. This particular profile
achieves a modern look while maintaining the property of robustness.

In conclusion, roofing designs are broken down to 2 different concepts; lines and profiles. Lines

focuses on the layout of the roof while profile depicts how steel is bended to achieve a particular
appearance. A combination of application from both concepts must be properly applied in order
to achieve the desired outlook.

HOW TO INSTALL SUN PROTECTION ROOF?

A Homeowner’s Guide on How to Install a Solar Panel at Home

Electricity is one of the many resources that are now absolutely essential in human life.
Everybody needs it to on a daily basis. Electricity is what powers all of your home appliances,
smart devices, and even some vehicles! But as of now, there’s a great reliance on non-renewable
resources when it comes to generating electricity. That is why some people are trying out eco-
friendly options! In this article, we will focus on solar energy and teach you how to install a solar
panel at home!
Solar energy is essentially energy that comes from the sun. In reality, the sun is a natural nuclear
reactor. Its rays contain packets of energy called photons. When harnessed, these photons can
provide an amazing amount of energy. To give you a small insight on the matter, every hour, the
amount of photons that impact the earth is enough solar energy to theoretically provide for the
entire planet’s energy needs for at least a year.
In recent times, solar panels can only harness a small portion of what the sun can provide. But
improvements in solar technology are fast approaching. Since the cost of going solar is also
quickly dropping, it’s high time that people start going solar!
With people relying on solar energy, not only will we choose the option that will have little to no
effect on the environment, but we’ll also prevent the non-renewable resources from depleting!
Sooner or later, solar energy is going to be the prime resource for power generation. So you have
nothing to lose by starting now by learning
 
What is a Solar Panel?

Solar panels—also known as photovoltaic panels—are the center of gathering solar energy. Each
solar panel is composed of a multitude of photovoltaic cells which collect and converts photons
into electricity.
Solar cells are mainly made of silicon—semiconductors that can be molded into very small
pieces. These silicon parts are then constructed with a positive and a negative layer, forming an
electric field.
Solar panels produce electricity through something called the Photovoltaic Effect. This process
starts with solar panels absorbing the photons into them. The energy generated from the photons
smashing onto the surface of the solar panel allows electrons to be knocked out of their orbits and
let loose into the electric field generated by the solar cells. These will then pull the free electrons
into a current—effectively producing electricity! Of course, one solar cell would produce a very
small amount of electricity, but when many of them are attached together, they can generate even
more energy!
Remember that solar panels are usually big flat rectangular objects that are placed on top of your
home, preferably on the roof. They can take a lot of space, so if you’re ever planning on installing
some, take note of your roof’s surface are first!
 
 Fundamental Reasons Why You Should Install Solar Panels at Home

Even with solar technology becoming more and more accessible, the majority of people would
still consider solar panels quite expensive. But most of the time, going solar is something that
would benefit not just the homeowner, but the environment as well! For those people who still
have doubts about whether they have to go solar or not, then here’s a list of reasons why other
people usually install solar panels!
 
Reduce or Potentially Eliminate your Electric Bills
A big part of a homeowner’s monthly budget is usually allocated to the electricity bill. A house
would almost always be composed of a number of appliances in different parts of the house—
refrigerators and ovens in the kitchen, televisions, speakers, and radios in the living room and
lamps, and laptops or computers in each respective room—not to mention the other electrical
devices that need power outside of your house.
Going solar will have a big effect on your electric bill. With right planning and application, it can
drastically reduce or utterly eliminate your electric bill! This will require a decent investment in
installing your solar panels and changing your lifestyle, however, but with the savings it brings, it
will pay for itself in no time!
 
Take Advantage of Reliable Energy
Solar power depends largely on the sun, the stronger its rays, the more electricity it creates.
Commercially available electrical power provides a level of reliability, however, it’s also prone to
unpredictable power outages, be it from connection interruptions or trouble with a device in the
power station.
The PV cells in solar panels are very reliable when it comes to converting photons into electricity.
All it has to consider is how strong the sun’s rays are for the day. The sun is a very consistent
source of energy. The time when we can harvest sunlight is based literally on the time of day.
Although cloudy conditions can be a nuisance at times, weather reports are usually pretty
accurate in predicting when it happens. All in all, the sun is in the sky for a set amount of time
every day. That alone makes it incredibly consistent and a reliable source of energy.
 
Experience Energy Security
The sun is something that cannot be bought. It cannot be fully commercialized. With that being
said, no one can turn solar energy into a monopoly. When you go solar, you’d almost never have
to worry about the rising costs of other forms of electricity! In fact, if you generate an excessive
amount of electricity, you can take advantage of that by selling it back to the grid!
 
Become Independent from the Electricity Grid
The electricity grid is the invisible web that connects all of the establishments that get power
from power stations. It’s what electricity distributors use in order to allocate power all over the
country. When you go solar, you would still be connected to the grid, but you won’t have to make
use of the power running through it. On the contrary, you can distribute the excess energy that
you generate from your solar panels to the grid—from which you can benefit from the Feed-in-
Tariff!
 
 
The Planning Stage: What You Should Know Before You Install Solar Panels in Your
Home

 By this time, you’ve probably already decided on learning how to install a solar panel in your
home. But before you do so, you have to consider a few things. To make sure that you haven’t
forgotten to take note of anything important here’s a list of important points that you should know
before you install a solar panel in your home with solar power equipment in the Philippines.
 
Your Home Energy Use
The amount of energy you use would depend greatly on your lifestyle. Most people who go solar
do so because of economic reasons. They want to reduce or eliminate their electric bill entirely.
But take note that current solar energy technologies can only produce so much. If you want to
fully utilize and feel the impact that solar panel distributor in the Philippines can provide, you
need to exert your own efforts in reducing your electricity usage as well.
Roof Structure
Do you have enough surface area for you to install solar panels, to begin with? Solar panels take
up a relatively large space and it needs a firm support for it to be installed. When your roof is firm
enough, you should then consider shade. If your roof is covered in shade for the most part of a
day, then maybe you won’t be able to utilize solar panels to the best of its abilities. Make sure
your roof is not covered in shade and is in a very good shape structurally before you install your
solar panels!
Solar Power Potential
The amount of power that solar panels can generate depends on how much sunlight it can collect.
With that being said, you have to assess your home’s position for how much sunlight it can take.
Sometimes, people need to be more technical in identifying things such as the best part on your
roof to install your solar panels, what slope should the solar panels be put on, and even the
position of the sun as time goes by.
Return of Investment
Installing solar panels in your home will not automatically net you with electric bills costing
nothing and instant benefits from the FiT. the ROI of solar panels takes a long time, depending on
your average energy consumption. The more power you consume; the more solar panels are
needed to provide for your needs. Remember that most of these solar power solutions are an
investment. It will eventually pay for itself in the future!
 
 
The Steps: How to Install a Solar Panel at your Home
Learning how to install a solar panel at your home is easy, actually doing so can be a little bit tricky.
You should be ready to for some hard work full of lifting, measuring, and a bit of luck as well—so
let’s get started!
 

 The first step to installing solar panels is proper planning. Plan out where and how you’re
going to install your solar panels. This means measuring the dimensions of your solar panels
and making a way to fit them in the available space. You should also have an idea of how
much weight your roof can support. If you think that your roof won’t be able to support solar
panels, or it would find the need for repairs soon, then it would be a good choice to do all of
the repairs and renovations first before you start installing your solar panels. Another thing
that you should take note of in planning how to install a solar panel at home is the direction in
which the sun rises, as well as its positions in key moments. This will help maximize the
exposure that your solar panel has on the sun’s rays!
 Once you have a general plan of action, the next thing you have to do is to install the
physical supports. The usual supports for solar panels are brackets for sloped roofs, and
mount rails for flat roofs. These solar panel mounts can be easily bought from solar stores or
home improvement stores. When installing these supports, you should make sure that they are
secured to your house’s rafters or trusses. This will make it firmer and safer. Just as planned,
the installation brackets should be positioned in a way that exposes the solar panel to the most
sunlight. A mount rail system allows you to position the panel in any angle that you want.
Keep in mind that your solar panels should all have the exact same angle to keep the voltage
production same!
 Attach your solar panels onto your supports. Handle your solar panels with care as you
carry it up to your roof. lay them out on your brackets or mount rail system and fasten them
tightly. Make sure that the solar panels don’t accidentally slide off these supports. Add
additional supports against weather concerns and the likes.
 When your solar panels are installed, the next part of the process is to connect them
together.Make sure that all of the wires are properly insulated and waterproofed. Don’t forget
to connect a ground wire from the mounting hardware to the earth to prevent any sort of
shock.
 After all the work up on the roof, it’s now time to set up all the photovoltaic
components. Install the inverter and the other parts of the photovoltaic system in a safe and
hidden part of your home, usually in a garage or in an outbuilding. Make sure that the place is
dry, ventilated, and is constantly in room temperature. keep them secured and protected by
placing protective covering or simply using a battery box.
 The last thing you should do is to connect your inverter to the AC breaker panel in your
house.Make sure that the main breaker is turned off when you’re connecting this. Connect the
PV wires to the DC disconnect switch and to the other photovoltaic system components until
the main DC disconnect. Afterward, connect the main DC disconnect to the inverter.

And that’s it! It may sound technical in some parts, but in essence, that is the most basic way to
explain the installation of solar panels!
If you think that the installation process is too complicated for you, don’t worry! Solar stores usually
offer solar panel installations for a fee, it may cost a lot, but it will ensure that your solar system will
be installed quickly, and effectively.