"I've seen trusses hold up great, but when storm damage hits, rafters can be easier to patch up individually."
Yep, gotta agree with this. I've patched up my fair share of roofs after storms, and rafters are usually less of a headache. Trusses are awesome when they're intact—fast install, super sturdy—but once they're damaged, you're often looking at replacing whole sections rather than just patching a spot or two. Plus, climbing around in an attic full of trusses after a storm... let's just say it's not exactly my idea of fun.
When I bought my first house, it had trusses, and I thought "great, sturdy roof, no worries." Then a big storm hit and snapped one of them. Thought it'd be a quick fix—boy was I wrong. Ended up needing help to replace a whole chunk of the structure instead of just patching one spot. Rafters might've saved me some headaches there... lesson learned for next time, I guess.
Had a similar experience last summer—trusses seemed solid enough till we had a tree branch come down during a storm. Thought it'd be straightforward to patch up, but nope... ended up replacing three whole sections. Rafters can be easier to fix since you're dealing with individual pieces, but honestly, both have their pros and cons. If you're in a storm-prone area, rafters might save you some hassle down the line. Just my two cents from what I've seen so far.
"Rafters can be easier to fix since you're dealing with individual pieces, but honestly, both have their pros and cons."
That's a fair point, though I'd gently push back a bit on the idea that rafters are necessarily less hassle. Rafters definitely offer more flexibility for repairs, but the trade-off is often in labor and time—especially if you're dealing with complex roof designs or larger spans. I've seen a few DIYers underestimate the complexity of properly reinforcing rafter systems after storm damage... it can get tricky fast.
One thing I've found helpful in storm-prone areas is actually integrating some green roofing elements—like living roofs or reinforced vegetative layers. Sounds fancy, I know, but a properly installed green roof can absorb impacts from falling branches and reduce overall storm damage significantly. Plus, there's the bonus of better insulation and energy savings. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but worth considering if storms are becoming a regular headache.
Interesting point about green roofs—I inspected a home last year that had one installed after repeated storm damage. Initially, I was skeptical about the added weight and moisture issues, but the owners had reinforced their rafter system specifically for it. Surprisingly, the structure held up remarkably well. Still, I'd caution anyone considering this route to thoroughly assess their existing roof support first...it's definitely not a simple weekend project.
