Choosing The Right Shed Roof Design
Choosing The Right Shed Roof Design
Shed roof designs come in various shapes, sizes and costs. Your choice will be somewhat influenced by your carpentry skills 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 you're planning a garden shed, tool shed, or a place to keep lawn tractors , the roof can be the most difficult 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 require a lot of difficult 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. You might see this configuration in a poolside cabana or summerhouse.
Although the hip roof is very distinctive looking it is difficult to build because of the many compound 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. The design of this roof is a little more complex than a gable roof because of the multiple angles. If your carpentry skills are reasonably good and have a good set of detailed plans you should be able to handle a gambrel roof with no problem. Another choice is the gable roof, however, it does not offer as much overhead space as the gambrel roof although it is quite easy to build.
Although it may cost you a little more because of the greater lumber requirement, the gambrel is the best choice if you are looking for overhead storage. Your final choice will be determined by appearance, storage requirements, construction difficulty, and how much you have to spend.
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