Raised Tie vs Scissor Truss—Which Should You Choose?
If you're looking to incorporate a bit of charm and character into your new home, opting for a vaulted ceiling will go a long way. Whether you have an old farmhouse that requires a new roof, a modern home that's being treated to an extension or you're building totally from scratch, raised tie trusses and scissor trusses will introduce interest to an otherwise bland space.
Scissor Trusses
The Good: Scissor trusses create a fully vaulted ceiling that takes inspiration from cathedrals and grand, high ceilinged manor houses. From a practical standpoint, they add vast amounts of headroom, and from an aesthetics point of view, they make a room feel airy, light and inviting. All of this doesn't even come with a cost penalty, as they often work out about the same price as standard trusses.
The Bad: Of course, their vaulted design means you can wave goodbye to your loft space. Maybe build a nice big cupboard for the cr*p you'd usually store up there.
Feel free to send us your drawings and we'll be happy to provide quotes for both options. Email: enquiries@tailormadedesigns.co.uk
Raised Tie Trusses
The Good: Raised Tie trusses aren't quite as dramatic as scissor trusses, which is great if you own an older or more subdued property that would benefit from additional headroom without the 'wow' factor. They also allow for a degree of storage space in the loft above, depending on how high you want the lower chord. We often supply raised tie trusses for extensions where the total height of the building needs to be lower than what would be ideal, but the customer would still like that open and airy feel.
The Bad: Raised Tie trusses often cost more than scissor trusses due to their increased timber sizes. This being said, it's very dependant on the job, and we'll always try to recommend the most cost-effective solution for your project.
Which Should You Pick?
For a cost-effective and dramatic ceiling: Scissor
For a slightly more subdued look with some storage: Raised Tie