Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Merits Of A Timber Frame Truss Over A Steel Truss

By April Briggs


Builders and constructors will tell you that it is highly advantageous to use timber for roofing purposes rather than steel. Most of the advantages that are highly advertised for steel are by steel production companies looking to maximize their sales. Looking at the benefits of the timber frame truss will let you judge for yourself which among the two is better. Wood framing companies hardly advertise their products because they sell themselves. Steel is only advocated for in high commercial areas, manufacturing plants and large halls.

Wood on the other hand is highly common in homes and residential apartment constructions. One great advantage that makes wood to be adored by many is because it does not rust. Moisture is not a friend to both wood and steel. However, steel is more affected by rusting unlike wood would. Companies galvanize steel to protect it from rusting but in case there is any scratch on its surface, rust is likely going to occur when the material is exposed to water. Wood can last you over 100 years if quality preservatives are used on it.

Wood is considered as a great thermal insulator. It is approximately 400 times better than steel when it comes to thermal insulation. It is also better than concrete by far. Due to its great thermal mass properties, the wood can absorb heat during the day from the sunlight heating up the roof. It then releases this heat at night when it is cold.

Timber framing is very easy and adaptable as many builders have suggested. When it comes to the setting up or erection of these structures, many builders are of the opinion that wood frames have ease in erection. They state that it is also quicker to carry it out that when using the steel material.

Wood is also easily flexible in terms of modifying it into new shapes and cutting it into smaller pieces. This helps a great deal in developing new designs, creating a uniform layout and adjusting the roof to fit different sections of the building. Steel is also difficult to use because you cannot nail it like wood but rather you have to screw it with nuts.

Wood is likewise favored on the grounds that it cannot conduct electric power. It is normally an electrical insulator and thus becomes live and conducts electric current when presented to one. Then again, steel is a decent transmitter and will accordingly posture risk in case that it comes in contact with some electric current.

Wood is also one of the renewable materials. Unlike steel which has to be constructed, wood can be obtained from the many trees available. Wood also helps absorb Carbon IV oxide from the atmosphere. On the other hand, the steel truss frames release this gas into the atmosphere.

To make the case for wood better, timber trusses are relatively cheaper to steel frames. Steel production is costly and thus its costs in the market have to be high unlike in the case of wood. Install a wooden truss and enjoy these great merits.




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