Interesting point about the flexibility. I keep wondering if the upfront cost is really worth it though, especially if you’re not planning any big changes soon. Did your client end up using that extra space for anything yet, or is it just peace of mind? I get the appeal, but sometimes I feel like I’m paying for “maybe” instead of “now,” you know? Still, having room to move around up there does sound a lot less miserable than crawling through trusses.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about paying for “maybe.” I looked at rafters for the same reason—future attic space sounded nice, but honestly, we’re not planning to finish it anytime soon. The idea of being able to stand up there is tempting, though… crawling around in trusses just to check a vent sounds like a nightmare. Still, that extra cost is hard to swallow if you’re not actually using the space right away.
I hear you on the cost—rafters aren’t cheap, especially if you’re not sure you’ll ever finish the attic. But I’ve seen a lot of folks regret going with trusses when they need to get up there for repairs after a storm. Ever had to deal with a roof leak or vent issue in a tight truss space? It’s doable, but man, it’s a pain. Curious if you factored in future maintenance headaches when weighing the price difference, or was it mostly about the upfront build cost?
Ever had to deal with a roof leak or vent issue in a tight truss space? It’s doable, but man, it’s a pain.
Yeah, crawling around in a truss maze is no picnic—been there after a windstorm, and I still have the bruises to prove it. Did you end up leaning more toward rafters for the flexibility, or was the price gap just too much to ignore? I get the temptation to save upfront, but sometimes I wonder if the hassle later is worth it.
- Trusses are a pain for repairs, no doubt. That “maze” feeling is real—especially when you’re trying to trace a leak in the dark with insulation everywhere.
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Couldn’t agree more. Trusses are cheaper and faster to install, but every time I have to inspect or fix something up there, I wish for open rafters.I get the temptation to save upfront, but sometimes I wonder if the hassle later is worth it.
- Rafters give you way more room to work, but the price difference is usually pretty steep, at least around here. Most builders just go trusses by default.
- If you’re planning on running new vents, adding insulation, or just want easier access, rafters are worth considering. But if it’s a simple roof and budget’s tight, trusses do the job.
- Personally, I’d rather pay a bit more for the flexibility—my knees and back thank me later.
