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What are the Different Types of Roof Beam?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

A roof beam is generally a length of wood, steel, or aluminum that holds up a roof meant to keep rain, snow, and other elements out of the house. A newer type of beam than the more traditional materials, a composite roof beam can be made from several different materials to make the beam lighter and stronger, and less prone to rotting, warping, or cracking. The type of roof beam used in a structure depends on the size and shape of the roof, and how much weight the roof is required to hold.

Most larger structures such as skyscrapers use steel for their roof beam construction. Steel can hold significant amounts of weight, and it can carry a load across a large area, meaning a roof supported by steel beams can be much wider or longer than other types of roofs. Structures that use steel roof beam construction usually have flat roofs, but some smaller structures may have a peaked roof. Steel is cheaper than wood in most cases, and it can handle a load much better, but steel beams must usually be cut off-site and trucked into a location, whereas wood beams can readily be cut on site.

Most skyscrapers use steel for their roof beam construction.
Most skyscrapers use steel for their roof beam construction.

The wood roof beam has been the material of choice throughout history because wood has been readily available and easy to cut for centuries. Wood has become more expensive as time has passed, and other materials now come with a cheaper price tag. It is, however, prone to warping, rotting, or cracking under load, meaning wood beams will have to be inspected and repaired more often than metal or composite beams.

Smaller structures like residential homes usually have peaked roofs.
Smaller structures like residential homes usually have peaked roofs.

On extremely small structures, composite beams may be used for roofing. Composite beams are made from more than one material, with one of the most common combinations being wood and plastic. A wood-plastic composite beam will be lightweight and less prone to rotting, warping, or mold build-up, but such beams are not designed to carry a significant amount of load. Wood-plastic composites are more commonly used in trim and non-load-bearing structures, especially outdoors in the yard. They are also commonly used as flooring, as the material is structurally strong enough to bear weight when supported by stronger beam materials beneath.

Discussion Comments

Vincenzo

@Markerrag -- I think it is more complex than that. When you leave those roof trusses exposed, you also rule out the possibility of nailing some boards on the bottom and creating an attic. That means less room for storage and people want that.

I don't think it is important to stain or paint a bunch of roof beams so that they are appealing. What you give up is attic space and that limits the appeal of the home.

Markerrag

@Logicfest -- I do believe one of the reasons those aren't used in homes more often is because it is expensive to put up wooden roof trusses that are both functional and look good.

Say you have a pile of boards you want to use for roof trusses. What you have is a bunch of unfinished wood that you will hold together with very utilitarian looking, metal mesh strips that nail to the boards.

In a word, yuck.

You want to make all of that look better? You will spend money and man hours staining or painting the boards and even more money on connectors that are more attractive.

For most homes, the extra cash isn't worth it. You will add unnecessary expense to the home, so why bother?

Logicfest

Ah, good old wooden roof trusses. Some of the most impressive church roofs in the world were created when someone got the idea to not cover those with ceilings and allow them to be open so congregations can see them. The complex patterns formed by those trusses are awesome.

One has to wonder why that feature is seldom used in homes.

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    • Most skyscrapers use steel for their roof beam construction.
      By: frenk58
      Most skyscrapers use steel for their roof beam construction.
    • Smaller structures like residential homes usually have peaked roofs.
      By: mimadeo
      Smaller structures like residential homes usually have peaked roofs.
    • Buildings often use steel beams to supports the walls and roofs.
      By: sattriani
      Buildings often use steel beams to supports the walls and roofs.