Choosing The Right Shed Roof Design
Shed roof designs come in various shapes, sizes and costs. The design that you choose may depend on your skills as a carpenter and the time that you are willing to invest in the construction of your DIY shed. A good set of plans will go a long way in making the most of your woodworking skills.
Whether it is a shed for your garden or an extra room for the overflowing tools and equipment in your garage , the roof can be the most challenging part of the job.
If you want something that is easy to build the pent roof shed may be your best choice. Among the five popular types of roofs, this is the simplest design and does not involve a lot of complex cuts. This roof works well for a shed that is build against a fence or a wall. It is a single slope that spans between the back and front walls resting on a single beam. Keep in mind that the span of the shed roof depends on the strength of the joists that you will be using. Timber can be used for a shorter shed roof, but, a mono-pitch truss is necessary to cover wider spaces.
Probably the most complex shed roofing design is the hip roof. Often you will see this type of roof on a poolside cabana or summerhouse.
Although the hip roof is very distinctive looking it is difficult to construct due to the many compount cuts that are required. Another disadvantage of the hip roof is if you need overhead storage there is not a lot available with this design.
If your shed location is near the beach or an area where there may be strong winds you could consider a salt box shed roof design. This design is fairly simple to build and is able to hold up under windy conditions. The design is not proportional like other roof configurations, however, if you look closely you'll notice that it's just like an extension of the gable roof. The single side of the roof drops like a "cat-slide" or lean-to extension.
If you need more space to store things like sailboat masts, tree trimming saws, and ladders then your best bet is the gambrel roof also known as a barn roof. Construction of this roof is somewhat more complex than the gable roof due to the multiple angles. But if you are reasonably skilled and have a good set of detailed plans you'll be able to build a gambrel roof without much difficulty. Another choice is the gable roof, however, there is not as much overhead room as the gambrel roof although it is quite easy to construct.
Although it may cost you a little more because of the greater lumber requirement, the gambrel is the best choice if you are looking to maximize your overhead space. Your final choice will be determined by appearance, storage requirements, construction difficulty, and how much you have to spend.
Whether it is a shed for your garden or an extra room for the overflowing tools and equipment in your garage , the roof can be the most challenging part of the job.
If you want something that is easy to build the pent roof shed may be your best choice. Among the five popular types of roofs, this is the simplest design and does not involve a lot of complex cuts. This roof works well for a shed that is build against a fence or a wall. It is a single slope that spans between the back and front walls resting on a single beam. Keep in mind that the span of the shed roof depends on the strength of the joists that you will be using. Timber can be used for a shorter shed roof, but, a mono-pitch truss is necessary to cover wider spaces.
Probably the most complex shed roofing design is the hip roof. Often you will see this type of roof on a poolside cabana or summerhouse.
Although the hip roof is very distinctive looking it is difficult to construct due to the many compount cuts that are required. Another disadvantage of the hip roof is if you need overhead storage there is not a lot available with this design.
If your shed location is near the beach or an area where there may be strong winds you could consider a salt box shed roof design. This design is fairly simple to build and is able to hold up under windy conditions. The design is not proportional like other roof configurations, however, if you look closely you'll notice that it's just like an extension of the gable roof. The single side of the roof drops like a "cat-slide" or lean-to extension.
If you need more space to store things like sailboat masts, tree trimming saws, and ladders then your best bet is the gambrel roof also known as a barn roof. Construction of this roof is somewhat more complex than the gable roof due to the multiple angles. But if you are reasonably skilled and have a good set of detailed plans you'll be able to build a gambrel roof without much difficulty. Another choice is the gable roof, however, there is not as much overhead room as the gambrel roof although it is quite easy to construct.
Although it may cost you a little more because of the greater lumber requirement, the gambrel is the best choice if you are looking to maximize your overhead space. Your final choice will be determined by appearance, storage requirements, construction difficulty, and how much you have to spend.
