TROYSTEEL
TROYSTEEL
12 AUG 2026
RecommendedPublished: August 2026
Reading Time: Approximately 25 minutes
Description: A complete 2026 guide to steel trusses in Ghana, covering materials, thicknesses, AZ150 Aluzinc steel, prices, installation, durability, steel vs wood and how to choose the right roofing structure for your building.
Steel trusses are rapidly becoming one of the most important structural roofing solutions in Ghana. From private homes and apartment developments to churches, schools, warehouses and factories, steel roof trusses provide an alternative to traditional timber roofing structures.
But choosing a roofing truss is not simply a matter of choosing between wood and metal.
The thickness of the steel, protective coating, roof span, truss spacing, purlin spacing, connections, roof geometry and quality of installation can all influence how the completed roofing structure performs.
This complete guide explains everything property owners, architects, contractors and developers should know about steel trusses in Ghana, including:
A roof truss is the structural framework that supports a roof and transfers roof loads to the supporting walls and structure of a building.
Rather than relying on individual unsupported members, a truss typically uses interconnected members arranged into triangular configurations.
Triangles are fundamental to truss construction because their geometry provides structural stability. Loads applied to the roof can be distributed through the members toward the supporting points of the building.
A typical roofing truss system may include:
top chords forming the upper slope of the truss;
bottom chords forming the lower part of the truss;
web members connecting the top and bottom chords;
wall plates transferring loads to the supporting walls;
purlins supporting the roofing sheets;
and fascia members around the roof perimeter.
This entire framework forms the structural skeleton beneath the roofing sheets.
Steel trusses are roof trusses manufactured from structural steel sections rather than timber.
In Ghana, one increasingly popular system is the light gauge steel truss, also called a lightweight steel truss, LGS truss, metal truss or steel roof truss.
These systems use relatively thin, engineered cold formed steel sections arranged into a structural framework.
Their low weight should not be confused with weakness.
A properly engineered truss obtains much of its structural efficiency from its geometry, member profile, bracing and connections, rather than simply from using a large amount of metal.
This is one reason steel trusses can provide strong roof structures without requiring the extremely heavy steel sections associated with major industrial structural frames.
Traditional timber has built roofs successfully in Ghana for generations, but steel solves several problems associated specifically with wood.
Termite attack is a significant consideration when using timber in tropical environments.
Steel provides no food source for termites.
This eliminates the need to protect the structural member itself from termite consumption.
Timber exposed to persistent moisture can deteriorate biologically.
Steel has a different problem: corrosion.
That is why the quality of the metallic coating on a steel truss is extremely important.
A properly specified steel roofing system therefore replaces the problem of timber decay with a material whose corrosion protection can be engineered and specified.
Light gauge steel trusses can be measured, designed and prefabricated before installation.
Troysteel, for example, states that its engineers use design software to produce custom pre-engineered trusses for individual projects.
Prefabrication can reduce unnecessary cutting and adjustment on the building site.
Steel is manufactured industrially.
Unlike a natural piece of timber, it does not contain knots and does not experience the same natural variations between individual members.
Structural steel is non combustible.
This does not mean that a steel framed building is automatically fireproof. Steel strength is affected by sufficiently high temperatures and the performance of the complete building assembly remains important.
However, unlike timber, the steel truss itself does not provide combustible fuel.
Properly engineered steel trusses can span substantial distances while limiting the need for intermediate supporting walls.
This makes metal roofing trusses useful not only for houses but also for churches, halls, warehouses and commercial buildings.
Because members can be prefabricated before reaching the site, a correctly planned steel truss installation can progress rapidly.
The exact installation time will depend on roof complexity, size, weather, site access and labour.
Light gauge steel trusses are among the most commonly marketed metal roofing structures in Ghana.
The term refers to thin steel sections that are cold formed into structural profiles.
Different manufacturers use different thicknesses.
For example, Rocksters Roofing Systems publicly lists light gauge steel trusses in 0.55 mm, 0.75 mm and 0.90 mm, while other Ghanaian suppliers use different engineering specifications.
This is important because there is no universal thickness that automatically makes a truss good or bad.
A roof truss must be considered as an engineered system.
Member profile, steel strength, spacing, span, bracing, connections and roof loading all matter.
Troysteel Roofing Company Limited manufactures Aluzinc steel roofing trusses for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Troysteel’s current system uses steel components generally ranging from approximately: 0.75 mm to 0.95 mm depending on the structural component and requirements of the project.
The company uses Aluzinc coated steel throughout its truss system and designs custom roof structures including gable, hip and scissor configurations.
Troysteel also manufactures the roofing sheets that eventually cover the structure, allowing the steel trusses, purlins, fascia, roofing sheets and roofing accessories to be coordinated as one roofing system.
0.75 mm vs 0.95 mm Steel Trusses
Is 0.95 mm better than 0.75 mm?
The answer requires some context.
On thickness alone:
0.95 ÷ 0.75 = 1.267
Therefore, a 0.95 mm section has approximately 26.7% greater nominal metal thickness than a 0.75 mm section, assuming the sections are otherwise equivalent.
That is a substantial difference.
However, it does not follow that every part of every roof should automatically use the thickest available material.
Structural engineering considers more than thickness.
The correct member depends on factors including:
Using 0.95 mm everywhere simply because it is thicker can add material and cost without necessarily representing the most efficient design.
The objective should therefore be:
Use the correct steel thickness in the correct member according to the structural requirements of the roof.
What Is Aluzinc Steel?
Aluzinc is steel protected by an aluminium zinc alloy coating.
A widely used aluminium zinc coating composition is approximately:
55% aluminium
43.4% zinc
1.6% silicon
The steel provides structural strength while the metallic coating protects the underlying substrate against corrosion.
This is particularly relevant for roofing trusses in Ghana, where humidity, rain and, in some areas, marine exposure can create aggressive conditions for unprotected steel.
Troysteel uses Aluzinc steel for its roof truss components rather than untreated bare steel.
This is one specification customers should understand.
AZ150 refers to an aluminium zinc coating mass classification of approximately 150 grams per square metre across both surfaces, subject to the applicable material standard.
The number does not mean the structural steel itself is 150 g/m².
It refers to the protective metallic coating applied to the steel.
Why does this matter?
Because when comparing two metal truss quotations in Ghana, two members of similar thickness can still have different corrosion protection.
A quotation saying only:
“0.95 mm metal trusses”
does not tell you everything you need to know.
You should also ask:
What steel is it, and what is the coating specification?
For Troysteel’s premium system, the answer is Aluzinc steel with AZ150 corrosion protection.
This is one of the biggest decisions homeowners make when roofing a house.
Neither material should be judged solely by purchase price.
Wood: Can be attacked by termites unless appropriate species, treatment and protection are used.
Steel: Termites cannot consume it.
Advantage: Steel
Wood: Can deteriorate when persistent moisture and biological conditions are present.
Steel: Does not rot but can corrode if inadequately protected.
The important comparison is therefore timber preservation versus steel corrosion protection.
Wood: Combustible.
Steel: Non-combustible, although high temperatures can reduce its structural strength.
Wood: Natural variation occurs between members.
Steel: Industrial production provides highly consistent dimensions.
Light gauge steel can produce a relatively lightweight structural roofing system while retaining high structural efficiency.
Both systems can be installed efficiently by experienced installers. Prefabricated steel has the advantage that many members can be prepared to predetermined dimensions before installation.
Properly enclosed coated steel trusses generally require little routine intervention, provided the roofing system remains watertight and the trusses are not subjected to persistent moisture.
Steel is recyclable.
Using steel framing can also reduce demand for structural timber.
For many modern Ghanaian residential and commercial projects, properly engineered and corrosion protected steel trusses offer significant advantages over untreated or poorly protected timber.
However, good quality engineered timber installed correctly can also produce an excellent roof.
The quality of the design and installation remains critical regardless of material.
Different roof designs require different structural arrangements.
Some common roof truss configurations include:
A relatively simple configuration suited to shorter spans and straightforward roofs.
Uses additional vertical elements and can accommodate greater spans than simpler king post arrangements.
Recognisable by its web configuration and commonly used for pitched residential roofs.
Uses a combination of diagonal and vertical web members and can be adapted for larger roof structures.
Uses a different web orientation to distribute forces efficiently and is widely recognised in structural engineering.
The bottom chords slope upward rather than running horizontally.
This can create a raised or vaulted ceiling beneath the roof.
Used to create roofs that slope on several sides.
Hip roofs are extremely common in Ghanaian residential architecture.
Used for roofs with two principal slopes meeting at a ridge and vertical gable ends.
Troysteel states that it designs custom gable, hip and scissor truss systems according to project requirements.
A complete steel roofing structure consists of more than the triangular trusses visible from a distance.
Wall plates sit around the top of the supporting walls and provide an interface between the building and roof structure.
These create the primary structural form of the roof.
Purlins run across the trusses and provide support for the roofing sheets.
The spacing of purlins should correspond with the roof design and roofing profile.
These form part of the roof perimeter and provide support around the eaves.
Bracing helps maintain structural stability and alignment.
Screws, bolts and other engineered connections transfer forces between members.
A truss is only as effective as its connections and overall design.
One of the most common searches is:
How much do steel trusses cost in Ghana?
There is no responsible single price per house.
The amount of steel required depends heavily on the building.
As a broad planning guide, residential projects may fall around:
Small/simple roof: GHS 15,000–25,000+
Medium residential roof: GHS 25,000–50,000+
Large or complicated roof: GHS 50,000+
Commercial buildings, warehouses, churches and large span projects should be priced individually from measurements or engineering drawings.
These figures are estimates rather than fixed quotations.
Steel prices and project specifications change.
Two buildings with the same floor area can have very different roofing costs.
Important variables include:
1. Roof area
A larger roof normally requires more material.
2. Roof complexity
Every hip, valley, intersection and architectural projection can increase fabrication and installation complexity.
3. Span
Longer unsupported spans can change the structural requirements.
4. Steel thickness
More metal generally means a higher material cost when other specifications are equal.
5. Steel coating
Higher specification corrosion protection affects material cost.
6. Roof pitch
Pitch changes truss geometry and total roof surface area.
7. Truss spacing
The engineering design determines how many trusses are required.
8. Purlin spacing
This affects purlin quantities and roofing support.
9. Transportation
A project far from the fabrication facility may incur additional logistics costs.
10. Installation complexity
Building height, access and roof geometry affect labour requirements.
This is why steel truss prices in Ghana should ideally be calculated from actual measurements or architectural drawings rather than a simple price per square metre.
You will sometimes see claims online that steel trusses last exactly 50, 70 or 100 years.
Those numbers require context.
There is no single lifespan applicable to every steel truss installed in every environment.
Service life depends on:
A high quality AZ150 Aluzinc steel truss system protected beneath a properly installed and maintained roof can provide a very long service life.
But even premium coated steel should not be treated as indestructible.
The best way to protect a steel truss is to specify it correctly and keep the completed roof watertight.
Yes.
Steel can corrode.
The important question is how it is protected.
Metallic coatings such as zinc and aluminium zinc systems are used to protect the steel substrate.
This is one reason customers should be cautious about buying cheap metal trusses without knowing the material specification.
The blue, green, silver or other visible finish of a truss does not by itself tell you its corrosion resistance.
Ask about the underlying steel and metallic coating.
They can be, but coastal exposure requires careful material selection.
Buildings around areas such as Tema, Teshie, Nungua, Labadi, Prampram, Ada, Cape Coast and Takoradi may experience increased exposure to airborne salts depending on their proximity to the sea and local conditions.
Salt can accelerate corrosion of unsuitable metal systems.
For coastal projects, the truss manufacturer or engineer should consider the exposure environment rather than simply applying the same specification to every building in Ghana.
A professional installation generally follows a sequence similar to this:
The dimensions and roof geometry are confirmed.
The roof form, pitch, spans and structural arrangement are established.
Individual members and connection locations are determined.
Steel components are cut and formed to the required dimensions.
The supporting perimeter components are secured.
The principal trusses are positioned and aligned.
Temporary and permanent bracing maintains alignment and stability.
Purlins are positioned according to the roofing requirements.
Perimeter members are completed.
Roofing sheets and accessories are installed over the completed structure.
Troysteel handles both steel truss fabrication and roofing, allowing these stages to be coordinated through one company.
Troysteel Roofing recommends completing the roofing within approximately one month after truss installation.
This protects the investment and allows the roof system to begin performing as intended.
Do not assume that every member in a roof is designed to carry additional loads.
This is especially important for ceiling battens and light secondary members.
Heavy water tanks, large chandeliers, suspended equipment, air conditioning systems, solar equipment or other significant loads should not simply be attached wherever convenient.
Additional loads should be considered by the appropriate designer or structural engineer and transferred through members designed to carry them.
A roof truss designed to support roofing and ceiling loads should not automatically be treated as a universal support frame.
Yes, a properly engineered steel roofing structure can support a solar installation.
However, solar panels introduce additional:
For a new building where solar is planned, tell the truss designer before fabrication.
For an existing roof, the supporting structure and attachment method should be assessed before adding a large solar array.
Light gauge steel trusses are particularly well suited to modern residential construction.
They can accommodate:
bungalows;
two storey houses;
large villas;
estate houses;
duplexes;
and complex hip roof designs.
The ability to prefabricate members makes steel particularly attractive for estate developments where similar roof designs may be repeated across multiple buildings.
Churches and auditoriums frequently require wider internal spaces with fewer columns.
Trussed structures can efficiently transfer roof loads over these spaces.
The design should nevertheless be engineered for the actual span, roof covering, wind conditions and building geometry.
Large span structures should never be fabricated simply by copying the dimensions of a residential truss.
Industrial buildings often require large open floor areas.
Steel roof structures can be designed to span these spaces while supporting suitable industrial roofing profiles.
For very large spans or heavy industrial requirements, conventional structural steel frames may be more appropriate than residential style light gauge trusses.
The correct system should be determined by engineering requirements.
Steel Trusses for Schools, Shops and Commercial Buildings
Metal roofing trusses can also be used for:
schools;
hospitals;
offices;
shopping facilities;
restaurants;
agricultural buildings;
workshops;
and institutional developments.
The versatility of steel is one reason the same underlying structural concept appears across many building categories.
The lowest quotation may use a different thickness, coating or quantity of steel.
Compare specifications, not just totals.
A 0.95 mm steel member with inadequate corrosion protection should not automatically be assumed superior to a properly specified coated system.
Errors at the measurement stage can affect every subsequent component.
Truss and purlin spacing should be determined by design requirements rather than guesswork.
Truss performance depends on connections as well as members.
Badly aligned framing can create difficulties during roofing installation.
Complete the roofing promptly after the structural frame has been installed.
Secondary roof members should not be treated as supports for arbitrary heavy objects.
Before approving a quotation, ask the supplier:
What material are the trusses made from?
What thickness will be used?
What is the metallic coating specification?
Who designs the roof structure?
What truss spacing will be used?
What purlin spacing will be used?
Are wall plates included?
Are fascia members included?
Is transportation included?
Is installation included?
What does the warranty cover?
How soon should roofing be completed after installation?
These questions make it much easier to compare quotations fairly.
Suppose:
Company A: GHS 24,000
Company B: GHS 29,000
Company A appears cheaper. But now suppose Company A’s quotation excludes fascia, transportation and installation.
Suppose Company B includes all three. Or Company A uses a different thickness and coating.
The GHS5,000 difference no longer tells the whole story.
A proper comparison should consider:
Total price + quantities + steel thickness + coating + structural design + accessories + installation + transport + warranty
That is the real cost of a steel roofing structure.
Not every metal roof structure is the same.
Light gauge steel trusses use relatively thin cold formed sections arranged into efficient structural geometries.
Traditional heavy steel roofing structures may use:
angle iron;
rectangular hollow sections;
square hollow sections;
I beams;
or other hot rolled and welded structural sections.
Heavy steel has important applications, particularly for major industrial and long span structures.
But using heavier steel does not automatically make a residential roof better.
For a house, an engineered light gauge system can provide the required performance with considerably less structural mass.
The appropriate solution depends on the building.
What Roofing Sheets Can Be Installed on Steel Trusses?
Properly designed steel trusses can support many common lightweight roofing systems used in Ghana, including:
Aluzinc roofing sheets
Aluminium roofing sheets
COLORBOND® steel
IBR roofing
IDT roofing
Self Lock roofing
Long Span roofing
Steptile
and other compatible metal roofing profiles.
The supporting structure should be coordinated with the selected roofing material and profile.
This is one advantage of working with a company that manufactures both roofing sheets and steel trusses.
Troysteel Roofing Company Limited has more than 20 years of roofing industry experience and currently reports more than 30,000 completed projects, 9+ branches and 80+ construction workers.
Troysteel designs, fabricates and installs Aluzinc steel trusses for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and warehouse projects.
Its system offers:
0.75–0.95 mm steel options
AZ150 Aluzinc corrosion protection
custom engineered truss designs
prefabrication
professional installation
gable, hip and scissor truss solutions
and integration with Troysteel roofing sheets and accessories.
The company currently serves customers through locations including Weija/Kasoa, Oyarifa, Kumasi and Akotsi, alongside its wider Ghana operations.
More importantly, customers can obtain the steel roof structure and roofing sheets from one roofing company.
That allows the roof to be considered as a complete system rather than a collection of unrelated products.
Steel trusses are engineered structural frameworks made from steel members and used to support roofing systems and transfer roof loads to the building’s supporting structure.
Roofing trusses are structural frameworks that create and support the roof. They may be manufactured from steel, timber or other engineered materials.
The terms are frequently used interchangeably in Ghana. However, “metal truss” is technically broader because not every metal is necessarily steel.
Light gauge steel trusses use thin cold formed structural steel sections assembled into engineered roof frameworks.
Costs vary significantly. A broad planning range may start around GHS15,000–25,000+ for smaller roofs, GHS25,000–50,000+ for medium residential projects, with large and complex roofs exceeding GHS50,000. Accurate prices require measurements or drawings.
0.95 mm can be suitable for many truss components, but thickness alone does not determine structural performance. Profile, span, steel strength, spacing, bracing and engineering also matter.
For otherwise identical sections and materials, 0.95 mm has approximately 26.7% greater nominal thickness than 0.75 mm. Actual structural capacity still depends on the complete section and design.
AZ150 identifies an aluminium zinc metallic coating mass classification of approximately 150 g/m² across both surfaces, subject to the relevant steel standard.
Steel offers major advantages including termite resistance, dimensional consistency, non combustibility and prefabrication. Properly treated and engineered timber can also perform well. The appropriate choice depends on the project.
Steel can corrode if inadequately protected. Quality systems therefore use metallic coatings such as galvanised zinc or aluminium zinc coatings.
No. Termites do not consume steel.
Yes, but coastal environments require appropriate corrosion protection and careful specification because airborne salts can accelerate metal corrosion.
Yes, when the structure and connections have been designed or verified for the additional loads.
Yes. The ceiling system should be designed and attached appropriately. Heavy objects should not be hung from ceiling battens or other members unless they were designed for those loads.
Steel trusses can support suitable Aluzinc, aluminium, COLORBOND®, IBR, IDT, Self Lock, Long Span and other lightweight roofing systems when correctly designed.
There is no universal lifespan. Properly coated steel trusses protected beneath a watertight roof can provide a very long service life. Coating specification, environment, installation and moisture exposure strongly influence durability.
The best company should provide transparent material specifications, engineering, accurate measurements, fabrication and professional installation. Troysteel Roofing combines these services with roofing sheet manufacturing, allowing the structural roof and final covering to be coordinated through one company.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Steel Trusses in Ghana
The best steel trusses in Ghana cannot be identified by colour, thickness or price alone.
A strong roofing structure comes from the combination of:
good steel + appropriate coating + correct thickness + engineering + accurate fabrication + strong connections + proper installation + compatible roofing sheets.
For Ghanaian homeowners and developers, light gauge Aluzinc steel roof trusses provide a compelling alternative to traditional timber because they eliminate termite attack, provide consistent manufactured dimensions and can be prefabricated for efficient installation.
But specifications matter.
Ask whether you are buying 0.75 mm, 0.95 mm or another thickness.
Ask about the coating.
Ask about the structural design.
Ask what the quotation includes.
And choose a company that understands the complete roof rather than simply supplying pieces of metal.
Troysteel Roofing Company Limited designs, fabricates and installs steel trusses, roofing trusses, metal trusses and light gauge steel roof structures in Ghana, while also manufacturing the roofing sheets and accessories required to complete the roof.
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