Engineer and owner of VAR dizaina grupa, Raimonds Buls is seeing the benefits building with connector trusses is delivering for his business and his clients.
We spoke to Raimonds to hear how switching to connector trusses on roofing projects is saving money and time across the supply chain.
As the construction sector in Latvia continues to evolve, manufacturers, engineers and designers are researching and choosing to use new technologies that deliver efficiency, precision, and value on and off site.
And that is something that VAR dizaina grupa is doing. An architectural and engineering practice that has been designing residential and agricultural buildings since 2004, the team led by building engineer and owner Raimonds Buls, delivers design solutions that balance tradition with innovation.
From classic construction to smarter systems
VAR dizaina grupa has long worked with conventional roof structures using classic rafter systems. However, changing economic pressures and shifting project requirements have prompted Raimonds and his team to look at other roofing systems like MiTek connector trusses.
“Connector trusses were something we learned about at university, but until recently they were considered expensive compared to classic roof builds,” explains Raimonds. “Now, labour costs have risen significantly, and connector trusses are proving to be a more cost-effective option overall.”
By comparing classic rafter designs with MiTek connector truss alternatives on real projects, Raimonds and his team were able to clearly see the value. One comparison showed a cost of €70,000 for a traditional roof construction, versus just €24,000 for a connector truss solution. In another project, a client was quoted €24,000 for a classic design and only €9,000 using connector trusses, a major saving that didn’t compromise on quality.
Beyond budget: the benefits of connector trusses
While cost was a significant factor in making the switch for many projects, Raimonds has seen several other key benefits that make connector trusses a smart choice for modern construction today:
- Greater design flexibility: Traditional wooden beams are typically limited to a maximum width of 550mm. Connector trusses can easily exceed this, allowing designers to create larger, open-plan spaces.
- Faster, more efficient assembly: Connector trusses are pre-manufactured and delivered to site ready to install. Compared to building a classic rafter system from scratch, this drastically reduces time on site and minimises labour demands.
- Labour shortages addressed: With a growing shortage of experienced roofers in the region, pre-fabricated trusses offer a reliable solution that reduces dependency on specialist trades.
- Complex shapes made simple: Unlike traditional methods, connector trusses support more intricate roof configurations without increasing the complexity or cost of construction. And designing a roof with our MiTek PAMIR 3D software technology, means the connector trusses can be precision engineered for accuracy.
Supporting modern construction needs
In a current project involving a large-span structure, VAR dizaina grupa opted for connector trusses specifically because the scale made them the more economical solution. As buildings become more ambitious in layout and performance, technologies like connector trusses provide the structural versatility needed without breaking the budget.
“We encourage others in the industry to explore this approach,” Raimonds adds. “It reduces on-site working hours, streamlines installation, and ultimately lowers the total cost of the roof structure.”
Read more about our connector trusses.
