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PVC roofing?

post #1 of 9
4/19/12 at 5:29am
Thread Starter 

I'm interested in a clear PVC corrugated roof for both our hen house and run, and was wondering if anyone's had any experience with it.  We live in North Carolina so the summers get pretty hot, but our backyard is almost completely wooded so even with a clear roof the chickens would get very little direct sun except in winter--which I figured would help keep them warm.  PVC is also available in white, and we would also be willing to consider a metal roof.  We're not so interested in the polycarbonate roof because it is so expensive.  Does anyone have any thoughts?  There's very little info about it available online. Thanks!

First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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post #2 of 9
4/19/12 at 6:12am
Thread Starter 

Oh, and if you think I should do a metal roof, does anyone know a good resource for telling me how to do it?  The pvc brands post explanations for their products, but I can't find anything for a corrugated metal roof.  I'm thinking of using this one:  http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Roofing-Gutters-Roofing-Roof-Panels/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaq4r/R-100027429/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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post #3 of 9
4/19/12 at 9:58am

I built a coop over the weekend and saw the clear PVC corrugated panels at Home depot and decided to try one. I used the clear panel for the center and tin on both sides, I overlapped the clear panel with the tin and secured them with needle point bonded washer screws.

We had a heavy rain Tuesday night with gusty wind and everything did fine, no leaks or breaks.

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post #4 of 9
4/19/12 at 10:13am

I used 5 metal and two clear on my run.   I hope to replace the clear this summer.  I think I will re-use them as a wind break on the bottom of the north run wall.  We have a huge blue spruce that drops needles on it.  So it looks terrible and the needles block the sun anyway.  Since my girls free range all day they really don't need a clear roof.  If your girls will be enclosed during the day I can see how letting in light would be nice.  Just keep in mind that if you have over hanging trees it will look a mess and need cleaning to actually let the light/warmth in.

BW Ameraucana,  W Ameraucana,  Blue Ameraucana,  Booted Bantam,  RIR,  SLW.

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BW Ameraucana,  W Ameraucana,  Blue Ameraucana,  Booted Bantam,  RIR,  SLW.

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post #5 of 9
4/19/12 at 10:17am

Forgot to add, we ended up covering the clear area with a tarp during the hottest parts of the summer.  The run was baking under the clear part of the roof.  So no sun got in during the winter and too much during the summer.

BW Ameraucana,  W Ameraucana,  Blue Ameraucana,  Booted Bantam,  RIR,  SLW.

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BW Ameraucana,  W Ameraucana,  Blue Ameraucana,  Booted Bantam,  RIR,  SLW.

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post #6 of 9
4/19/12 at 10:19am

I live southwest of you in the metro Atlanta area and I used a tin roof on my run, mainly for the shade in the summers. If you keep a eye out for used tin on Craig's list it could save you a good bit  over what it would cost new. My run is over 400+ square feet and that much new tin would have been a little more that I was willing to spend.

 

Buffs Only

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post #7 of 9
4/19/12 at 11:07am
Thread Starter 

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. We do have a lot of tree coverage, so the clear probably would get really messy--I hadn't thought of that.  It probably makes sense for me to go with the tin.  What kind of screws do you use with tin?  I was going to get the 1 3/4 hex head screws with the rubber washers for the plastic roof--will that work on tin?

 

 

First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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post #8 of 9
4/19/12 at 11:11am

Use needle point bonded washer screws, don't use drill points. And 1 inch screws will do, if your 2x4 is upright you can get away with the 1-5/8.

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post #9 of 9
4/19/12 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 

Thanks Sedipple!

First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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First-time owner of four hens--two white rocks and two red sex-links.

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