A New One on Me

[J.A.F.E.]

I saw something that surprised me a bit - steel roof trusses. Is this unusual or am I just out of touch with construction methods? The house has a concrete tile roof and is about 20 years old.

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

I've never seen that personally.

[Rural53]

Quite common here, competing with timber frame homes. http://www.zog.co.nz

[J.A.F.E.]

That looks pretty cool - I like that alot. I guess it's pretty easy to find the studs in the walls.

[highland512]

I could see this being a very cost effective option in an area with little to no lumber. My guess is this was put up due to availability or maybe fire suppression??

[muddy]

I've seen steel studs before can say it be seen them used for beams


Sent from the twisted mind of the Mudman

[bonneyman]

Seen it for wall studs but not roof trusses.

[J.A.F.E.]

I've seen the steel studs but usually just dividing walls that aren't structural. A lot of office buildings seem to use them for non structural walls.

[DeadNutz]

I haven't seen that before but I don't spend much time in attics. Is it just the roof trusses that are steel and the rest of the house wood framed? What is up with the roof tiles in the valley in the last pic?

[fatfillup]

What is up with the roof tiles in the valley in the last pic?

we call that a leak


Very interesting but I bet its a bear to drive a nail in them studs

[J.A.F.E.]

DeadNutz no idea if the studs are metal or not. I'll find out but it will be a couple weeks before I can.

I suspect the roof tiles need some attention in that area. I just want to know what would break a concrete tile like that.

fatfillup I suspect you are correct about the leak.

As to nails - just have to use rotary nails.

[fatfillup]

As to nails - just have to use rotary nails.

    excellent

[bill300d]

Looks like those tiles broke from someone walking up the valley to slop some goop around that sewer vent to stop a leak.
Metal studding is seen occasionally around here in residential construction including the roof structure.  If it is constructed correctly and once its sheathed it is very strong. It may or may not outperform Douglas Fir but stronger than the dimensional lumber than is generally used in residential construction today and a lot cheaper.

[J.A.F.E.]

Thank you bill300d! I appreciate the information. The neat part is the photo of the tiles was taken with a drone. The not so neat part is there are a few other broken tiles up there also caught by the same drone.

[fatfillup]

Yes Bill, thanks!  Don't know much about construction and always happy to learn.

[bonneyman]

We call those "Spanish Tiles" around here, but that may be just the local slang. I think the main advantage compared to wood, shingles, and rubberized coatings is sun light resistance and imperviousness to dryness, but they are prone to cracking when walked on improperly. They are quite expensive, usually reserved for higher priced homes.