Our Light Steel Frame (LSF) trusees are a strong and lightweight alternative to traditional roofing truss systems and can be used in a broad range of building types such as residential, industrial, commercial & institutional buildings. (Find out more about our Light Steel Trusses). It is vital to select the correct roof truss solution for any building project – residential or commercial. Before you make a choice, let's explore the main reasons light steel trusses are gaining in popularity.
Advantages when compared to the two main alternatives on the Rwandan market - wooden trusses and steel hollow sections:
1. Wooden Trusses
Wooden trusses are generally cheaper than steel trusses; however the main difference is that they're not as durable. Timber, being a natural material, is unable to fend off external aggressions as well as steel. Timber trusses are exposed to warping and bowing problems, which can cause structural damage to the rest of the building. Wood is also susceptible to rot and insect infestations, which may call for costly repairs. Furthermore, timber trusses - as opposed to steel - are more likely to get damaged in extreme weather conditions.
Steel trusses also have great advantages in speeding up the construction process and reducing labour costs, since they are much simpler to erect.
In summary, light steel trusses offer the following advantages over wooden trusses, resulting in better performance:
- a higher strength-to-weight ratio
- non-combustible
- resistant to termites, mold & infestations
- fully recyclable
- durable and dimensionally stable
2. Steel Hollow Sections
Steel hollow sections are the most-used alternative in the Rwandan construction sector. This is due to the cost and unavailability of engineered and dry wood in the Rwanda Wood Supply Chain. Although hollow sections and light steel trusses are both made of steel, the main difference lies in their production, application and fastening methods. Hot-rolled sections usually display certain dimensional imperfections caused by heating (expanding) and cooling down (shrinkage, warpage). The metal has slight distortions and its rough surface texture needs to be removed and buffed before anti-rust spraying. In addition, hot-rolled sections require thicker and heavier fastening methods, such as welding, bolting or riveting. Light steel frame trusses only require steel screws for fastening. In addition to their light weight and strength, light steel frame trusses have the ability to absorb high winds and seismic loads.
In summary light steel trusses as compared to steel hollow section offer the following comparative advantages :
- Accurate shape (consistent & straight)
- No dimensional imperfections
- Maximum steel galvanisation (Z275) - no need for anti-rust coating
- Faster installation
- Lighter fastening methods & no welding
- Prefabricated - zero cutting & waste
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Overall, light steel trusses allow for considerable material and man-hours savings because they are lightweight, easier to manipulate and exceptionally strong; fewer are generally required for installation. Additionally, they arrive at the site pre-engineered and in kit, ready for assembly. This precision eliminates waste and the need for on-site cutting, significantly reducing the execution time of a roofing project. The rapid installation is a crucial advantage when it comes to construction and roofing projects.