A critical decision in every house or addition design is whether the roof will be stick-framed or built using prefabricated trusses. Sometimes this decision hinges on factors other than design. For instance, if the exact plan and profile can be achieved using either method, then why not go with the trusses? Using trusses puts someone else on the hook for engineering, and it usually saves money, since trusses require narrower lumber and let you erect the frame quickly and with less-skilled labor. On the other hand, if a remote or congested site makes placing trusses impractical, then obviously stick-framing is a better option. However, truss-versus-rafter decisions often hinge at least partly on issues of design. Here are a few
