The Trussed Roof: Its History and Development

The trussed roof first appeared in Britain during the 17th century when it was introduced by Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren. The form and structural behaviour of this roof type were in complete contrast to the traditional roof forms in use until then but successfully replaced them because it facilitated both the larger spans and the shallower pitches required by the new architectural styles. However, because they were largely hidden from view, these structures have received little attention from historians until now. This book examines the introduction of trussed roofs into Britain, considers the roofing forms that it displaced, the process of dissemination of structural ideas, the extent to which architects and carpenters may have contributed to its development and the way in which designers understood the behaviour of this kind of structure. The study concludes by describing the final stage in the process of technological innovation, the transition from timber to iron roof trusses in the mid 19th century.