For some unknown reason, some people make the common mistake of thinking that an engineered roofing system that is built with roof trusses is foolproof. From the outside looking in, it can sometimes seem like it’s just a matter of tilting them up to nail them in and that’s it. Can it really be that easy?
The truth is that an engineered roofing system can be much less labor intensive and cheaper to build than a conventional roofing system, as long as errors are kept to a minimum. You see, these types of ceiling systems are designed in such a way that each piece has its own place. There is very little margin for error.
The first thing to keep in mind
The first common mistake that first time home builders tend to make is not paying enough attention when they are laying the foundation to pour it. Your roof system is designed exactly to plan, and any deviations in the foundation will cause problems with the proper fit of all roof elements.
The second element to consider
The second most common mistake that even experienced builders make from time to time is incorrectly loading framing packs on top of a framed building. It’s all too easy to drop a package in the wrong area of a house, and even easier to spin it backwards. You must pay close attention and have your load plan ready when they arrive at the site.
The third most common mistake
The third most common mistake is having sloppy or poorly braced plumb and line work. Exterior walls in particular are critical, so they must be well clad and braced. Be sure to add some extra exterior bracing specifically for loading the roof beams because they will hit when the loads are dropped by the crane. Remember that once your trusses are loaded, moving walls is very difficult.