Simple Sustainable Building
What is a truss house?
A truss house is the envelope of the house made from sets of pre-assembled house truss frames. The house trusses are secured to either a concrete slab or a pile foundation to create an entire house frame assembly.
Are Truss House systems designed the same way as truss roof systems?
Yes, truss houses and truss roofs are designed in the same way on the same software. The main difference is that truss house systems are designed with additional factors in mind in order to create a complete, integrated house frame.
I am familiar with Truss roofs, what is different about a Truss House?
Truss roof systems are used to frame the roof of a house and are usually used in conjunction with standard framing techniques for the walls and floor. Unlike a truss roof frame, a Truss House frame integrates the roof, walls and floor of a house into a single frame that is quick to put up and easy to finish using standard building materials.
Where are roof trusses made?
Roof trusses are made in frame and truss manufacturing facilities. There are 80+ frame & truss fabricators across New Zealand, serving all urban and rural regions of the Country. These facilities are equipped with special machinery that is used to cut and assemble the components that make up the trusses. This is a rapid process and all truss systems are highly engineered, lightweight, rigid and strong.
How are Truss roof systems designed?
Roof trusses are designed on a Computer-aided design (CAD) software that incorporates complex engineering and local building codes. The truss systems are designed to distribute loads evenly across the structure, are lightweight rigid and strong. The CAD software creates detailed plans and ensure that the trusses meet all necessary building codes and safety standards.
Where are house trusses made?
House trusses are made in the same dedicated frame and truss facilites that produce roof trusses. Any frame and truss fabricator can produce Truss House frames.
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How are truss systems transported?
A system of truss frames (roof frames or Truss House frames) are stacked flat and usually transported on flatbed trailers to the construction site. The frame and truss fabricator is part of an establish delivery supply chain. Once the system arrives on site, they can be lifted into place by hand or with a truck mounted jib or crane.
So how is a Truss House different to a regular house?
A truss house is different from a regular house in that it is constructed using pre-made trusses instead of traditional framing methods. This allows the trusses to be assembled quickly, making construction time shorter than with a regular house. Additionally, trusses are lighter than traditional framing, making them less expensive to transport to the building site. Truss homes are also typically more energy-efficient than regular houses, as the framing methods used help to reduce the amount of thermal bridging from the outside to the inside of the home.
Can I customize my Truss House?
Truss Houses are not sold as 'set floor plans'. The Truss House system is easy to use and can produce almost any style of house design, from one to three stories. There are no interior load bearing walls, the gable ends are self supporting for large window areas and the interior/exterior finishes are entirely flexible and customizable.
How long does it take to get my Truss House?
The amount of time it takes to get your Truss House depends on the size and complexity of the house. Generally, it takes a day or two to fabricate a Truss House system with a lead time of between four and twelve weeks, depending on the work load of the fabricator.
Can I build a Truss House myself or do I need a licensed builder?
You will need to be or work with licensed builders to construct a Truss House. If you are a community housing provider you may be able to project manage the build yourself. Truss House training is easy to implement across your organization.
What are the size limitations for transporting Truss House frames?
The size of trusses that can be transported depend on the size of the flatbed trailer and the lifting capacity of the jib crane or other lifting equipment. In general, roof truss systems can be up to 15m long and 6m wide. Our average Truss House frame size is 7.2m long and 4.2m high.
How can I use a Truss House?
Truss Houses are incredibly versatile and can be used as a primary residence, as a secondary residence or as a secondary dwelling/ADU.
Where can I buy a Truss House?
You can purchase a Truss House directly from a Truss House supplier.
To what building codes are the Truss Houses built?
The Truss Houses are designed and constructed to meet local building codes and regulations. Their energy performance exceeds New Zealand code by a factor of three to six.
What are the geographical/ topographical limitations of where I can build a Truss House?
The geographical and topographical limitations of a Truss House vary depending on the size, design, and features of the house. Generally, Truss Houses can be constructed in flat, hilly, or mountainous areas and can withstand extreme weather conditions such as wind, snow, and rain.
Ok so I think I understand the difference between a roof truss and a house truss?
The main difference between a roof truss and a house truss is that a truss house combines the roof, walls and floor of a house into one frame, while a truss roof is just used to frame a roof. Both truss types are designed using computer-aided design software and are usually transported on flatbed trailers and lifted into place by a crane.
Is a Truss House System a finished house?
No, a Truss House System is not a finished house. However, it does provide all the necessary components for a Truss House, including the combined wall floor and roof frames. A truss house system forms the body of a house, the rigid wooden skeleton.
What are the steps in getting a Truss House?
The steps involved in getting a Truss House typically include selecting or creating a plan and materials, obtaining permits, ordering materials, and assembling the truss system. Additionally, once the Truss House is constructed, you may need to install windows, doors, siding, and other finishing touches.
Does a Truss House look different from a regular house on the inside or outside?
No, a truss house looks the same on the inside and outside as a regular home. The main visible feature is a thicker wall system to accommodate additional insulation.
What is the advantage of using a frame and truss plant to produce my whole house?
The advantages of using a frame and truss plant to produce a whole house are speed, precision, and affordability. By using a plant, you can get your house frame parts produced quickly and precisely, without having to measure, cut, and assemble everything by hand. Additionally, frame and truss plants provide a cost-effective solution, as most plants will offer discounts on bulk orders or when supplying multiple sets of parts. Finally, since most plants have the necessary machinery and experience in place, there’s no need to hire separate contractors.
