You are here:

Architecture/1976 Manufactered Home

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/13/2009


Question
I am looking at buying a one story manufactured home on an acreage with a basement.  It was built in 1976 and has the vaulted ceilings in each room. It is about 1850 sq feet with 3 bdrm and 2 baths.  My concern is the roof. How is the roof designed to prevent sagging since there are not rafters in the roof.  Is there a expected lifetime of the roof?  Thanks Tom

Answer
Tom - thanks for your question!

Your house was probably built with "scissors" trusses, which have a pitch on both the outside and inside.  There's a nice photo of a scissors truss here: http://www.islandtruss.com/assets/images/products/fullsize/timber_scissor_truss_...

It should be self-evident from the photo why they're named what they are!

If your roof is built this way, you needn't be concerned about sagging.  The roof should last as long as the rest of the house!

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com

Architecture

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.