Architectural feature trusses can form an eye catching centrepiece to make an aesthetically pleasing impact in many new and existing buildings

Bolted feature trusses are commonly used by architects to enhance the aesthetics of a room or even an entire area, within a building. When a client approached us asking for feature trusses we were able to help. Working closely with our client and their designs and ideas, utilising our extensive design experience we were able to design and manufacture the bolted trusses for the build.

On the first day, the builder stripped and dismantled the existing roof, bedded a new wallplate, laid the floor joists and decked them out with Waterproof 22mm chipboard. On day two the walls and trusses were craned onto the new floor. The builder reported that the build went well and that the house was watertight that same evening.

A householder in Alderney asked us to supply trusses for a new attic truss roof to an existing  bungalow. He chose us to design and manufacture a complete new roof for the property. The builder was delighted with our design, price, and reliability.

He can now enjoy beautiful sea views from his new upstairs sun room. We were very aware that to enjoy those views, the property was elevated and exposed to the elements. As a consequence we had to design with high winds in mind. This was achieved  with our Wolf software which incorporates local data on wind (and snow!) in the design calculations to withstand all that the weather can throw at the structure.

A: STOP! Never cut, drill or alter trusses. They are designed to support your roof, and assembled from the highest grade of structural timber. Any such alterations may lead to design failure and may end up costing hundreds of pound in engineer design fees and extra timber support to ensure the structure is strong enough for the roof load. If in doubt, please ask ETS before cutting. We can always check if the alteration is feasible. 

Q: I’ve read through this site and I’m still unsure of which trusses to order. What should I do?

A: Email us on sales@etstrusses.co.uk or phone us on 01952 771170

Q: I’m doing a self-build and do not feel confident enough to produce a roofing plan with the correct specifications for you. What should I do?

A: Contact us for advice! We are happy to help you over the phone if we can. Depending on location, ETS can arrange to visit your site to produce an accurate drawing from which we can supply your trusses.

Q: You don’t appear to have supplied enough infill timber with your roof trusses! Where is it?

A: Check the ETS Infill Timber Installation Drawing alongside the cutting list. All of the truss projects designed by ETS carry sufficient infill supply (on larger projects we even include extra lengths of infill timber). If you follow the drawing and cutting list you will find there is sufficient infill timber – and you have installed your roof correctly!

Q: I had a delivery of trusses. How long can I keep them exposed to weather?

A: Trusses should be installed and covered as soon as possible. If stored they should be placed on bearers to keep them clear of the ground. ETS doesn’t recommend storing trusses uncovered for longer than 1 month.

A: They are lighter and stronger than conventional timber and we can precision make them to save you stress and labour. Their unique wood and metal construction means you can run wiring and plumbing services through them quickly and easily without the risk of structural weakening caused by drilling or notching conventional solid timber joists.

Q: I would like to put a pool table on the first floor of my house are joist strong enough to support the load?

A: Ideally, pool tables and other unusual specific loading should be allowed for at the design stage. That way, ETS can ensure you get a solution that supports your specific need.

A: Not necessarily. ETS can almost certainly offer a feasible truss rafter alternative and we have successfully completed many such projects, successfully removing the need for costly steels and long construction times on site. Alternatively, we can design the attic using our trussed rafters and avoiding using steels.

Q: What are the differences between ETS Room in the Roof and a conventional loft conversion?

A: Conventional conversions simply convert existing space, so if you have a shallow roof pitch, the amount of usable internal space created can be minimal. ETS Room in the Roof can create substantial extra living space by altering the pitch of the roof (steeper pitch = more useful internal space) and building in such features as dormer windows.

Most existing roofs are constructed of timbers that are insufficient in strength to support the additional loads that converting a loft into a fully functioning room/s will create. Many people are finding that a new attic truss roof is a cost effective alternative to a more conventional extension. Taking the opportunity to apply for permission to raise their roof pitch and remedy any existing roof defects that “under designed” roof timbers have caused.

Q: I’m putting attic trusses on my house conversion, but don’t intend on using the attic space until a later date. Can I cut a stairwell opening in my trusses after they have been installed?

A: It is wise to allow for a stairwell opening at the design stage of your attic roof. Any retrospective alteration to trusses can be very expensive, so it is best to include for these now rather than face complex and costly additions in the future. design your stairwell opening when installing the trusses. Although this will cost extra, it will be much cheaper than the structural engineer’s fees at a later date.

Working with the developer of 6 town houses, ETS arrived at a floor design which allowed the installation of an air circulation system to recover heat energy. The system required large ducts to be run in the floor void, and the unique metal web inside the ETS Easi-Joist system provided the perfect solution.

ETS has designed several large roofs for care home clients, including a 60-bed site in Stoke on Trent and a 44 bed unit in the West Midlands. Both of these incorporated fire spandrels within the roof structure. The projects involved close liaison with the client over intricate design issues. Despite the complexities, ETS was able to complete on time.

When these barns were converted for houses in 2009, Easi-Joist was selected for the floor joists to give maximum unsupported roof span. Easi-Joist can clear spans of up to 7 metres and the open architecture of the joists means that plumbing, waste and electrical services can be quickly and easily run through at right angles to the joists.