What Is a Scissor Truss?

scissor truss has interconnecting triangular parts

A scissor truss is a very strong triangular-shaped roof framing component. Together with other trusses, a group of scissor trusses makes up a building’s roof rafters and ceiling framing. If you’re building a home, cabin, patio roof, or other structure, you may have encountered “scissor trusses” as an option for building the roof. “What is […]

How to Protect Your Home from Rainwater Damage

Rain falling on a roof, over a house’s eaves.

Expert advice on how to waterproof your house, including maintaining your roof, sealing windows, cleaning gutters, redirecting rain runoff, and more. Keep your family sheltered and protect your home’s structure! In This Article: Waterproof Your House Exterior Ensure Proper Drainage Few things are as stressful to homeowners as water damage. It can be a sinister, […]

Installing a New Roof? Make It Last Longer!

nailing asphalt roof shingles

In This Article: Understanding Roof Warranties Best Roof Installation Practices Rooftop Conditions Installing a new asphalt roof is a major improvement that you don’t want to have to repeat in 5 years. The best way to ensure that your new roof will last is to utilize quality materials and proven installation methods. Understanding Roof Warranties […]

Roof Framing Basics

Hip and valley roof framing with a gabled dormer, including rafters, tails, and ridge board.

An illustrated guide to roof construction, including basic types of roofs and a roofing glossary Drive through nearly any neighborhood and you can see that roofs have many different shapes. Houses have gable, hipped, mansard, gambrel, flat, and shed roofs. Many homes combine roof types on one roof. It’s quite common, for example, to see […]