If you're like most homeowners, you've looked in the attic and wished you could remove some of that criss-cross lumber to create more room, opening up a whole new area for storage. Can it be done? Don't even think about it! Those criss-crosses are called "trusses", and are actually critical support triangles spaced either 16" or 24" apart. They hold up the roof and form either your attic floor or room's ceiling (depending on how you look at it!) Each one plays a key role structurally, and they're not to be messed with! Truss design is based on the strength of a triangle, whereby the two angled sides fixed to the bottom form an extremely rigid support for everything else. They are specifically engineered for your home, and removing even one (or part of one) can be risky business. Removing one will lead to sags and creaks, and maybe even a failure that will really "open up" your attic! Need more room? Think room addition!