wrote:

Trusses come with engineering that you need in a lot of places
They also require a lot less on site carpenter skill and lower labor
cost. I wouldn't bet most of the kids today could cut a rafter.
They are much faster to do.
I am not even sure they use more lumber since trusses are 2x4s and
rafters are usually 2x6 or 2x8s with 2x6 joists.

The crane is chump change compared to the labor of laying out, cutting
and setting rafters.

My English house, built in the 1950's uses 2x4 rafters with purlins at the
halfway point - and a centre load bearing wall. Hardly extravagent with
timber volumes.

Mind you, timber was better back then - I can walk on the old ceiling
rafters with no noticeable deflection over a 3.8m span.

Trusses are cheap in that they are banged out at the factory and need little
skill onsite, other than a bloke who can space them evenly and nailgun a few
diagonal braces across them to keep them upright.

But I agree - hideous things. Any future loft conversion involves rediculous
amounts of work.

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."