From Timber to Steel:

Socio-demographic Drivers Underlying Homeowners’ Change in Roof Truss Preferences in Ghana

Abstract

Homeownership is an important factor in wealth-making and socio-economic mobility. However, decisions about construction materials, especially roof truss systems, are less studied in developing economies. The shift from timber to metal trusses in Ghana echoes wider economic, socio-demographic, and sustainability concerns. We investigated the socio-demographic factors that influence homeowners’ choices for truss materials to provide information for sustainable housing policy and market development. Survey data were obtained from 300 homeowners purposively selected across two major urban cities. Logistic regression shows that marital status, gender, income, education, and third-party advice had significant effects on material preference. Women, unmarried individuals, and lower-income and less educated homeowners are more likely to select wood for truss construction. On the other hand, homeowners who received third-party advice and have higher levels of education and earnings above US$200 had greater odds of selecting metal trusses. Our findings indicate that socio-demographic micro-level considerations play a notable role in shaping timber-to-metal transitions by private residential builders.