ᐅ Truss Roof – An Alternative to a Traditional Roof Structure?

Created on: 18 Aug 2021 16:54
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Chloe83
Hello,

we are still in the planning phase for our urban villa. Initially, we planned a traditional timber roof structure above the reinforced concrete ceiling on the upper floor.
Due to the high cost estimate, we are now considering an alternative: a truss roof over a wooden beam ceiling on the upper floor.
This is expected to be more affordable than our originally chosen option.

I have two questions that I am interested in:

a. Can you roughly estimate the price difference between a traditional roof/reinforced concrete ceiling and a truss roof/wooden beam ceiling?

b. Is a truss roof with a wooden beam ceiling considered a “budget construction” or a viable alternative?

Thank you very much for your answers.
11ant18 Aug 2021 21:46
K1300S schrieb:
Maybe that could be another option, like a wooden beam ceiling plus a purlin roof?
But you do realize that this involves much more planning effort than can be justified by the difference in material costs, especially since a "city villa" usually has a hipped roof, meaning no gable ends and so on?
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Tolentino18 Aug 2021 21:49
For me, the difference would have been 13,000 EUR. I decided not to do it for just 10 square meters.
K1300S18 Aug 2021 21:53
11ant schrieb:

You do realize that this involves more brainpower than just a difference in material costs, especially since a "city villa" usually has a hip roof, meaning no gable ends, and so on, right?

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the specific project or which manufacturer is involved. Maybe they already have everything ready-made and waiting. 😉
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Chloe83
18 Aug 2021 22:02
11ant schrieb:

Where can we see the actual house design?
What exactly makes a reinforced concrete ceiling an option?

At the moment, I’m finding it difficult to share the design here since it’s not finalized yet. However, I will do so in due course.
The reinforced concrete ceiling was explicitly our choice, mainly because of better resale value, improved sound insulation, thermal insulation, etc.
Our structural engineer suggested a wooden beam ceiling.

With the wooden ceiling, I would have to install a suspended ceiling underneath, which also incurs costs that would not be necessary with the concrete ceiling.

However, I am open to being convinced otherwise.
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Chloe83
18 Aug 2021 22:12
@K1300S
No well-known general contractor. A medium-sized, regional construction company.

My main concern was whether the option of a wooden beam ceiling/truss roof is a common and good alternative. Provided, of course, that I notice the difference in cost.
11ant18 Aug 2021 22:15
Chloe83 schrieb:

I will have to drop the wooden ceiling from below as well. That’s another cost that wouldn’t apply with a concrete ceiling.
But I’m happy to be proven wrong.

Whatever the reason for needing to drop it: we are going around in circles. I lack the basics to give you a more detailed answer than "42," which might actually be the best response in your case. Feel free to contact me informally by email if you don’t want to show the design here yet. At gmx (de), and so on (some loyal readers might already know this by heart, otherwise it’s in my profile) …
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