All About Cathedral Roof Trusses
Popular in the 1970s, cathedral roof trusses are making a comeback, especially in cottages and country homes. Many people are now choosing to build their homes with this type of roof truss.
In this article, we take a look at what you need to know about cathedral roof trusses before making your choice.
Why opt for a cathedral ceiling?
A cathedral ceiling is easy to spot. It’s a ceiling with two matching slopes that follow the roofline. The beams may or may not be visible, but they typically create a high ceiling.
The main reason to select this type of roof truss is for its visual appeal. It creates a sense of spaciousness and luxurious charm, particularly when paired with panoramic windows.
However, if you choose a cathedral ceiling, you should be aware of its potential drawbacks, which we’ll outline below.
Disadvantages of cathedral roof trusses
The aim of our article is to tell you everything you need to know about cathedral roof trusses, so that you can choose the right type of wooden roof truss for your project. We also believe it’s important to inform you about the potential drawbacks of this type of prefabricated structure. By choosing a cathedral ceiling, you may experience increased heating costs, water infiltration issues, and a higher risk of mold growth. Therefore, it’s important to select your contractor carefully.
First drawback: heating
Because of the ceiling shape and the tall heights it offers, this type of roof truss requires a specific approach to the heating system.
Most homes today use convection heating, which is not ideal for cathedral ceilings as the heat tends to rise and become trapped.
As a result, you’ll need to heat your room much more to maintain a comfortable temperature. Moreover, you’ll require top-notch thermal insulation to prevent heat loss.
It’s recommended to install a radiant heating system in your home. If you’re currently building your home, you can plan for this type of heating system. However, if your home is already built, you’ll need to make specific modifications.
Second drawback: insulation
This problem will mainly affect older buildings, but it’s an important factor to consider in new construction. In fact, insulation is even more critical for a cathedral ceiling compared to other types of ceilings.
The shape of a cathedral ceiling can actually contribute to the formation of ice dams. When snow accumulates on the roof, ice can form and prevent subsequent snowfall from draining off. As the ice melts due to warm air leakage, it can penetrate your attic, leading to water infiltration and mold growth. Therefore, proper ventilation is key.
There are two solutions to this problem:
- insulation from the outside
- insulation from the inside
In both cases, we recommend contacting a building contractor that specializes in this type of work to solve the problem.
Third drawback: ventilation
Regardless of the type of ceiling you choose, the National Building Code of Canada stipulates that you have to install appropriate ventilation. Poor ventilation encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which is extremely detrimental to the health of occupants and the lifespan of your home.
There are many solutions for properly ventilating a cathedral ceiling. You just need to take this factor into account right from the start of your project.
Cost of cathedral roof trusses
Cathedral roof trusses typically require a larger budget. In addition to the base cost of the roof trusses themselves, as you’ve read, there are other factors to consider that can affect the final price.
So it’s challenging to provide an exact cost, especially since many factors can influence the construction cost. Generally, homeowners choose this type of ceiling primarily for its aesthetic appeal.
If you’d like to receive a custom quote for the price of your cathedral roof trusses, we recommend contacting one of our representatives. As a leader in the construction of prefabricated structural wood products since 1967, Usihome can help you with your construction project and the purchase of prefabricated roof trusses. We look forward to hearing from you.
