Roof construction and covering - the bane of my existence!

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Hermit House

Hermit House

In the Brooder
Dec 17, 2015
37
10
24
Vadsby, Denmark
Hi All,

So, I am learning to build coops. I've just finished a small 45° A-frame coop. (Man, is it crap, but it's my first and so beautiful to me!). I'm going to do a 30° A-frame next, but I really want to do more 'house-like' coops. Therein lies my problem. I can do the framing designs well enough, but I get to the roof and that's where things start falling apart for me. I just do not know how it's all supposed to be and what purpose each bit serves. Then there is burn on asphalt vs shingles vs tiles vs corrugated plastic, facias and drip edges, gutters and pitch. GAH!

Do any of you know of any good sites or books to help me learn to build roofs? I know I am probably overthinking it, but I want to start making stuff the way it should be, not just a way I've figured out that kinda works.

Thanks!

Ted
 
Low slopes make it difficult for shingles to shed water. Shingles are for slopes of 4:12 or steeper. Usually when you buy shingles, there is a detailed installation explanation on each package of what they call a square (100 sq. ft.). Metric packaging will be a bit different.
http://www.gaf.com/warranties_techn...teep_slope_technical_point_tab_r_2011_127.pdf
Hot asphalt is for flat or low slope roofs. For flat and low slope a newer, easier and longer lasting alternative is EPDM rubber. That is my roofing of choice.
EPDM can be fully adhered (with glue) or ballasted with gravel on top.
Hot tar roofs have to be retreated every 10 years or even more frequently. EPDM can last for 40 years minimum.
Another option for low slope is TPO or something called torch down.
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Torch-Down-Roofing
http://www.everybodyneedsaroof.com/roof-system-types
 
I use 1:2 slope. Imagine this flat a frame over a box. It is simple to lay out and plenty for run off. I would also suggest metal or plastic over plywood. Asphalt shingle work well but much heavier
 
Here in the USA we can get books on how to build things at the big box building supply stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. You might have something similar there. I lived in Herlev in the early 80’s but I’m sure things have changed a lot since then.

Another option could be to go to your local library and get the librarian to help you find a suitable book. If it’s not immediately on hand they can probably order it for you to check out. If that is what you want you could maybe buy it online.
 
Here's two youtube videos of a series on building sheds that I used:


You can look at the whole series which has details on the fascia, etc. but it's pretty easy. I've never framed and built anything in my life but after reading a book on shed building and watching these videos our coop went up pretty good and is almost done. We just finished installing the shingles this afternoon.
 
Thanks, everyone. Part of the problem, I think, is that there is just so much info out there that finding the one that works for you can be tough. I'll give these a look, check the local library and builder's centers, check out those vids and try to stop overthinking it ;)

Heerlev in the 80's, Ridgerunner? Now Arkansas? That sounds like a story! I sorta did the opposite, I was last in Western NC and have ended up here. We're about 20 km further west than Heerlev, and should be entering the 80's in the next year or two. It's amazing to me that I can be only 25km outside Copenhagen but 40 years in the past relative to it.

Edit:
ejcrist - that is a great video series, many thanks!
 
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I lived in a 14th century thatched cottage in the UK and we have more than a few here in the village. The house in devon was quite a menagerie and there were critters living in that roof I'd not like to meet up close. Our first night there, one of these crawled out of and (back into, thankfully) a crack in the ceiling over our bed. Needless to say we moved to a room without a cracked ceiling ;)
 
ChickenCanoe said:
Low slopes make it difficult for shingles to shed water. Shingles are for slopes of 4:12 or steeper. Usually when you buy shingles, there is a detailed installation explanation on each package of what they call a square (100 sq. ft.). Metric packaging will be a bit different.
http://www.gaf.com/warranties_techn...teep_slope_technical_point_tab_r_2011_127.pdf
Hot asphalt is for flat or low slope roofs. For flat and low slope a newer, easier and longer lasting alternative is EPDM rubber. That is my roofing of choice.
EPDM can be fully adhered (with glue) or ballasted with gravel on top.
Hot tar roofs have to be retreated every 10 years or even more frequently. EPDM can last for 40 years minimum.
Another option for low slope is TPO or something called torch down.
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Torch-Down-Roofing
http://www.everybodyneedsaroof.com/roof-system-types
Click to expand...


Low slope: With EPDM and a solid contruction you can make a sedum or veggie roof .
700
 
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