I get where you’re coming from about thinking ahead, but I’ve seen folks overcomplicate things too. On one job, the owner insisted on all these custom trusses “just in case” he wanted to finish the attic later. Ended up never touching it, and the extra cost was just kind of wasted. I’m not saying don’t plan, but sometimes it feels like people pay for flexibility they never actually use. Did you end up running extra stuff through yours, or was it more peace of mind?
That’s exactly what I’ve seen too—people get sold on “future-proofing” and then never actually use the space or features they paid extra for. I get wanting options, but is it really worth the premium if you’re not 100% sure? I’ve always wondered if folks who go with trusses for possible attic conversions ever regret not just keeping it simple. Did you at least get any energy savings or better insulation out of those custom trusses, or was it strictly about maybe finishing the attic someday?
I hear you on the “future-proofing” hype. I went down that rabbit hole a few years back when we replaced our old roof. Got talked into beefier trusses “just in case” we wanted to finish the attic later. Spoiler: still haven’t touched it... but I will say, the extra space makes it way easier to run ductwork and stash insulation. We ended up putting in way more blown-in cellulose than our neighbors could fit, and our heating/cooling bills did drop a bit compared to before.
It wasn’t a huge difference, but it’s something. I do sometimes wonder if we overdid it, though—could’ve spent that money on better windows or something more immediately useful. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried incorporating green or “cool” roofing materials along with trusses or rafters? I keep reading about how reflective shingles or even living roofs can help with energy savings, but I haven’t seen many folks around here try it yet. Does the roof support type even matter much if you want to go that route?
Title: Figuring out roof support: choosing between rafters and trusses
We had a building where the owner swore by “future-proofing”—ended up with these monster trusses that could probably hold up a bowling alley. Never did add the extra floor, but when we swapped to reflective shingles last year, the extra support made it easy. Didn’t have to worry about weight or spacing. I’ve seen folks try living roofs on regular rafters, though, and that’s where things get dicey. Those setups need a ton of structural beef, especially if you’re in a snowy area. Honestly, sometimes I think people get a little wild with all the “green” upgrades without thinking about what’s actually holding it up...
Honestly, sometimes I think people get a little wild with all the “green” upgrades without thinking about what’s actually holding it up...
That hits home. I’ve got neighbors who went all-in on a green roof—looked amazing at first, but after one heavy winter, they were scrambling to reinforce the rafters. I get the appeal of future-proofing, though. When we re-roofed last year, I was grateful for the beefier trusses from a previous owner’s “overkill.” Sometimes it feels like overbuilding, but it sure comes in handy when you least expect it.
