I get where you’re coming from—trusses do make some things easier, but they’re a real pain if you need access later. I manage a few buildings with both types, and honestly, the truss attics are always the ones where contractors grumble. It’s not just HVAC either; even something simple like adding a junction box turns into a project. That said, rafters aren’t perfect—costs go up and you lose some efficiency, especially in colder climates. Still, if you expect to use the space or do upgrades down the line, the extra up-front hassle with rafters might actually pay off.
“the truss attics are always the ones where contractors grumble. It’s not just HVAC either; even something simple like adding a junction box turns into a project.”
That’s exactly what I’m worried about. My last house had trusses, and every time I needed to run a new wire or check on something, it felt like playing Twister up there (except with more insulation in my face). The current place has old-school rafters and, yeah, they’re creaky and not as “efficient,” but at least I can move around without crawling like a commando.
I keep going back and forth on this. Trusses seem so much easier for the builders and I get that they’re stronger for the price, but what happens when you want to add a bathroom vent or—like you said—a junction box? I’ve got plans to maybe finish out the attic for storage or a little office down the line. Has anyone actually regretted going with rafters because of the extra cost or heat loss? Or is it one of those things where you pay more now but thank yourself later?
Also, does anyone know if there’s a middle ground? Like, can you do modified trusses that leave some open space in the middle? Or is that just wishful thinking? My neighbor claims he got “attic trusses” that gave him a bonus room without going full custom, but I have no idea if that’s common or just marketing.
And speaking of cold climates—how bad is it really with rafters vs trusses for heating bills? We get some nasty winters here (Minnesota), so I don’t want to freeze just because I wanted an easier time running wires. But man... being able to stand up straight in your own attic is pretty nice.
Curious what others have run into before I make any big decisions.
Attic trusses are definitely a thing—my cousin did that for a bonus room and it worked out, but it’s not as cheap as standard trusses. You get the open space, but you’ll still have to plan around the webbing at the ends. As for rafters vs. trusses and heat loss, honestly, insulation is the bigger factor. If you air-seal and insulate well, rafters won’t kill your heating bill, even in Minnesota. I’d pick usability over a tiny bump in efficiency, personally.
I hear you on the insulation—my old place had rafters and once I finally got around to air-sealing and blowing in cellulose, the difference was night and day. Still, I’ll admit, I kind of miss the flexibility you get with rafters for storage and running wires. Trusses just don’t give you the same freedom, especially if you want to tuck away boxes or maybe run some ductwork later.
I was looking at attic trusses for a future project, but the price tag made me pause. Did your cousin end up with much usable space, or was it more of a narrow hallway vibe? I’ve seen some designs where the webbing chews up the ends and you’re left with a weirdly shaped room. I’m leaning toward rafters for my next build, but the labor’s no joke either.
Anyone here regret going one way or the other after living with it for a few years? I’m curious if the extra upfront work with rafters really pays off long-term, or if I’m just being stubborn.
I went with rafters in my last place because I wanted to stash all my camping gear up there, and honestly, I loved the open space. But man, the framing took forever and cost more than I expected. My neighbor did trusses and his attic is basically useless for storage—he regrets it every time he tries to find a spot for holiday stuff. If you’re thinking about future solar or green roof stuff, rafters are way easier to work with too... just something to keep in mind.
