When it comes to supporting beams in your house or business, there are two main choices: trusses or I-joists. While the I-joist design certainly improves on the traditional joist, it still does not compete with trusses in many fundamental areas of design and quality. If you are involved with the construction of your home and are confused as to what the differences are, you could make a serious mistake by making an uninformed decision. Here is a quick rundown on why floor trusses remain the best choice for your home.

Further Span

The floor trusses design is much better suited to longer, unsupported spans than any I-joist. The linked design of the top and bottom chord mixed with the webbing in the form of triangles (one of the most durable shapes you can create) means that there is far more even and rigid strength over longer distances. I-joists have comparatively little design benefits over trusses as they are a single piece of wood that is slightly etched. That means that they require a much more supportive structure and a larger total volume of beams to safely create the same floorplan as trusses. 

Safety First

It has been noted on several occasions that I-joists are more susceptible to fires because of their smaller frame and minimal supporting components (like steel brackets and screws). For a country that is as notorious as Australia is for fires, this should be a significant concern. An extra few minutes of structural stability in the event of a fire could save you or your loved one's life. While you never want to consider these factors, it is essential that you at least understand the risks. If you're going to be as prepared for the worst as you possibly can be, then floor trusses are a simple choice.

More Customisation Options

Say you want to add in some ducted air conditioning or more drainage beneath your floors. Roof and floor trusses can be custom-made to have significant gaps while remaining structurally sound. They can also have their depth increased, so even the largest duct or pipe can fit through. On the other hand, I-joists are very limited in this aspect. If you did want to add in these future renovations, you might have to totally change your roof and flooring design to safely accommodate the new additions. That is why it is always better to plan these additions during your initial construction, but in either case, roof and floor trusses come out far ahead of the I-joist. 

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