Bird's-Eye View: The Science Behind Construction And Contracting

There is a myriad of reasons why homeowners prefer timber floors to other flooring types. The reasons range from timber floor aesthetics and durability to energy efficiency and better air quality. Timber flooring is incredibly popular with open space house designs because of floor trusses. Notably, floor trusses are installed underneath timber flooring to provide adequate support to floor planks. However, most homeowners wonder why timber trusses are best suited for open-plan timber floor housing designs. Read on to find out why.

Minimal Shrinkage, Warping and Twisting

Timber defects such as shrinking, warping, and twisting are caused by various environmental factors such as humidity. However, timber length must be considered when talking about wood defects. Short timber is susceptible to warping, shrinking and twisting compared to long wood because the former has lower moisture content. Therefore, if you use floor joists — joists are shorter than trusses — as support structures for long planks on your timber flooring, your floor will develop the above defects. Conversely, floor trusses minimise structural timber defects, thereby ensuring your timber floor maintains its shape.

Hides Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Runs

Traditionally, plumbing pipes and electrical cables are installed between the walls. However, houses with open-floor plans provide a significant challenge for contractors since they have to decide where to install mechanical runs. While a roof offers an alternative space for utility runs, it is not a practical option. The only other area contractors can run cables and pipes is the floor. Unfortunately, the closed design of floor joists makes installations difficult, which forces contractors to drill and cut through timber to make space. On the other hand, the open web configuration in floor trusses provides plenty of room to run your cables and plumbing. It eliminates the need for many walls in house design.

Eliminates Squeaking

Have you ever walked on an aging timber patio? If you have, then you would agree that the squeaking sound of loose timber is annoying. Inside a house, squeaking timber flooring is not only irritating but also a distraction and an embarrassment. Timber floors supported with floor joists are susceptible to squeaking. The reason is that floor joists do not provide adequate stiffness that is necessary to accommodate wide timber planks. However, you do not have to worry about squeaking floors if you opt for floor trusses. Floor trusses are structurally more robust and offer adequate stiffness for long timber planks commonly used in open-plan designs.