Roof trusses have been a part of the Australian construction industry for more than 30 years. A timber roof truss is a framework of structural timbers that are load bearing, providing support for the roof of a building. Wall frames on the other hand; refer to structural pieces of timber, engineered timber or structural steel that are fitted together to provide a building with support and shape.

Truss and frame plants are businesses that manufacture and supply prefabricated timber wall frames and roof trusses for commercial buildings, residential homes as well as owner builders. Essentially, they supply all structural components for the “skeleton” of a building including subfloors, flooring timbers, particleboard, plywood and decking.

Traditionally, timber frames were measured, cut and constructed onsite by carpenters. Today, it is more cost-effective and commonplace for frames and trusses to be assembled offsite at a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, transported to the construction site and then fitted into place. Not only do prefabricated frames reduce labour costs but they can also reduce the effect of wet weather delays.

Pre-manufactured roof trusses come in a wide variety of styles. They are designed by the manufacturer for each specific building project. Some of the different types of roof trusses include a standard roof truss, mono roof truss, scissor roof truss, attic roof truss, bowstring roof truss, gambrel roof truss and a bell roof truss.

The construction process may involve frames being fixed onto a concrete slab or with the placement of piers or pad footing to support piers, bearers and joists (a lightweight flooring system). A substructure of piers, piles, stumps, posts, dwarf brick walls or perimeter masonry walls support the building frame.

Accredited wall fabricators usually design and certify all aspects to suit their framing system. This can include manufacturing and suppling timber trusses, timber wall frames, floor cassettes, floor trusses, rafter trusses, ancillary timbers and tie downs.

Licensed fabricators will work with builders and owner builders to precisely manufacture roof trusses, wall frames and floor trusses using modern computer cutting and assembly equipment. They will also provide a site measure service before the design and manufacturing process commences.

Engineers working at roof and truss companies are required to make sure that roof trusses meet Australian safety standards and take into consideration factors such as homes in cyclone-prone locations or roofs that need to be mounted with heavy hot water systems. Termite resistant timber framing is also an essential requirement.

Framing systems can be customised to suit almost any design providing engineering certification is obtained. Most truss and frame companies provide solutions for all types of structures including residential homes, granny flats, houses being constructed on sloping sites, kit homes, bushfire-prone homes, commercial and industrial buildings.

For DIY builders, a flat-pack roof truss and frame kit can sometimes be provided. A pack comes complete with all wall and truss components, with simple to understand instructions for assembly. Flat packs are a convenient and simple solution for DIY builders looking to construct granny flats or sheds.

Professional roof truss and frame companies will provide detailed and accurate quotations after 3D modelling has been undertaken to the clients’ exact specifications.