Easi-joist attic trusses speed installation

Logistical problems regarding the routing of electrical and plumbing connections through the first floor zone have been solved for a housebuilder with help from local Wolf Systems' manufacturer.

Holden Timber Engineering Limited, based near Ipswich, had supplied Andrew Goodwin Homes with both trussed rafters, along with various sizes of easi-joist engineered timber floor beams, over a number of years.

So, when the client expressed a desire to use attic trusses containing an easi-joist as the bottom chord to the assembly, Holden immediately made contact with Wolf's technical advisory service to seek guidance on design.

Kevin Anderson, MD of Holden Timber Engineering, takes up the account: "The client came to us saying they wanted to be able to route services through the area of the floor void, which isn't really possible with normal room-in-the-roof trusses because you cannot drill or notch into the bottom chord".

"With easi-joists, however, the spaces already exist, which make the running of even quite large pipes very easy".

"Wolf's engineers were able to guide us on incorporating the easi-joists into the attic truss using the software they provide".

"It is a solution we will be offering to other customers in the future".

Some 40 trusses were supplied to Andrew Goodwin Homes for each of the two chalet style bungalows being built in East Bergholt, Suffolk.

All had a span of just over six metres with the 45 roof pitch making it possible for them to be delivered to site as a single component.

Additional easi-joists were produced to serve as trimmers where the stairs rise from the ground floor, and also to infill the area of the dormer windows.

Andrew Goodwin adds, "The idea of incorporating the easi-joists into an attic roof truss has worked very well".

"It has been amazing how quickly our plumbers and electricians have got used to the idea of not having to drill through floor joists".

"In the case of the two houses in East Bergholt, the planners wanted us to keep the overall height of the buildings down in appearance so attic trusses were the obvious way of complying".

"The installation was straightforward and the only issue we had to look at was how the slightly greater depth might affect the stairs, but everything worked out perfectly".

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