Not a huge ordeal, but it wasn't exactly plug-and-play either—budget accordingly, haha.
Interesting take—though I'd say the "little surprises" can actually turn into bigger headaches depending on your setup. Rafters definitely give you more flexibility, but I've seen plenty of projects where people underestimate the ongoing tweaks needed, especially with skylights. Trusses might limit your options a bit, but they're pretty much set-and-forget once they're up. Just something to keep in mind if you're not big on mid-project surprises...
Good points on both sides here. Rafters definitely give you more wiggle room, but yeah, those "little surprises" can snowball fast. I remember helping a buddy install skylights—seemed straightforward until we realized the rafters weren't exactly spaced evenly... cue an entire weekend of head-scratching and creative carpentry. Trusses might feel restrictive, but at least you know exactly what you're getting into from day one. Guess it depends how much adventure you're up for mid-project, haha.
"Trusses might feel restrictive, but at least you know exactly what you're getting into from day one."
Fair point about the predictability, but have you considered attic space? Rafters usually leave more room to maneuver if you're thinking storage or future loft conversion. Trusses can really limit your options down the road—ran into this myself when trying to squeeze in some extra insulation and ventilation. Ever tried retrofitting ventilation ducts around trusses? Not exactly a picnic... Do you think the convenience of trusses outweighs losing that flexibility long-term?
I get what you're saying about flexibility, but honestly, when we built our place, budget was king. Rafters sounded great until we priced them out—labor costs alone were a shocker. Trusses were way more wallet-friendly, and the predictability factor was a bonus. Sure, storage space took a hit, but we got creative with shelving in the garage and a backyard shed for overflow.
Funny you mention ventilation ducts though...been there myself. Ended up threading flexible ducting through the trusses like some kind of attic obstacle course. Not fun, but doable if you're patient (and maybe slightly masochistic). If you're planning major attic renovations down the line, rafters might be worth the upfront cost. But if you're just looking for straightforward and affordable, trusses aren't as limiting as they seem at first glance—just gotta get a bit creative sometimes.
"Funny you mention ventilation ducts though...been there myself. Ended up threading flexible ducting through the trusses like some kind of attic obstacle course."
Haha, reading this gave me flashbacks to a project I managed a couple years ago. We had a townhouse complex that needed some serious roof repairs after a storm, and the owners were debating rafters vs trusses. Rafters seemed ideal at first—lots of room to maneuver, easier attic access, all that jazz—but once bids rolled in, everyone got sticker shock pretty quickly. Budget constraints won out, and we went with trusses.
Honestly, I was skeptical at first. Thought we'd regret sacrificing the flexibility down the line, especially since I knew we'd eventually have HVAC upgrades and more insulation work coming. But surprisingly, it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined. Sure, crawling through those trusses with flexible ducting wasn't exactly my idea of a fun weekend (felt like a sweaty game of Twister up there), but it was manageable with patience and planning.
One thing I learned from that experience: if you're going the truss route, spend extra time upfront mapping out exactly where mechanicals and ductwork will run. A little foresight makes life way easier down the road. And yeah, storage space is definitely tighter—but nothing some smart shelving and a decent shed can't solve.
Still, if you're one of those folks who likes frequent DIY projects or you're considering major future renovations involving dormers or finished attic space, rafters might justify their initial cost. But for straightforward residential builds or budget-conscious projects, trusses aren't nearly as restrictive as they seem at first glance...just gotta be willing to get your hands dirty occasionally.
