In residential construction, which statement about roof trusses is true?

• A. They are always cheaper than stick framing.
• B. They require no supports.
• C. They cannot be used with attics.
• D. Roof trusses allow longer spans between supports.

Answer: (D)

Roof trusses are built to carry a roof load efficiently across a long distance by using triangles that transfer weight to the outer bearing walls. This triangular geometry creates a strong, rigid framework that can span wider between supports than traditional stick framing, which often needs more interior walls or columns to hold up a roof. Because of that, you can have open interior layouts or attic space without a lot of interior support—perfect for rooms with large footprints or usable attic areas.

That’s why the statement about roof trusses allowing longer spans between supports is true. It’s not guaranteed to be cheaper in every case, since costs depend on span, design, and labor, and trusses still require bearing supports at their ends. They can indeed be used with attics, depending on the design, so saying they cannot is inaccurate. And like any structural system, they do rely on supports at their ends, so they aren’t without supports.