ᐅ Rafters: diagonal cross brace spanning multiple rafters

Hello, in the attic space between the rafters of my house, there are several thick diagonal braces running across multiple rafters.

Were these braces installed only to prevent the rafters from shifting during construction, or do they serve a structural purpose?
Because of these braces, I am unable to install paneling on the rafters!
Is it possible to remove these additional braces?
I would appreciate any information.
The house was built in the 1970s.
Thank you, Jürgen

Rettungstauche schrieb:

Was the brace installed only to prevent the rafters from slipping during construction, or does it have a structural function?

That sounds like wind bracing. Its structural role is to stabilize the rafters against twisting or distortion. Roofs are subjected to wind pressure, unfortunately also from oblique angles. The wind bracing performs a similar role to a reinforced ring beam in walls.

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Nowadays, rip-strip tape is used for this, and yes, something like that is necessary.

I hope I’m not overstepping by saying that you can replace them with "modern" tension straps. These are basically perforated flat steel strips from a roll. Afterwards, you could easily double up the rafters to create a flat surface, on which you can then install the paneling you have in mind. Alternatively, you could double up the rafters to a thickness that exceeds the height of the old wooden wind braces.

I can imagine that doubling up battens between the rafters and the paneling could actually be quite practical for accommodating an intermediate rafter insulation of more modern thickness. Otherwise, I’m surprised how many questions still lack images in this age of widespread smartphone use.

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The idea with the lattice strap sounds good.
I would like to remove the diagonal braces!
I need to find out where I can get them.
Since the attic is already quite tight, I would prefer not to double the rafters!
Strangely, I don’t have these struts in the middle of the house, only on both sides in the attic.