1/2" Wire Cloth and Snow Load

[NancyNurseCxMama]

We are only able to cover half of our run with a peaked roof right now---the rest will be done in the spring. The entire flat part of the run "ceiling" is covered with hardware cloth.
DH had an idea---when it snows, rev up the gas-powered leaf blower, get in the run, and blow the snow off the hardware cloth from below.
I thought that was kinda brilliant.
If it doesn't work, we get out the ladders and the brooms.

 

[aart]

DH had an idea---when it snows, rev up the gas-powered leaf blower, get in the run, and blow the snow off the hardware cloth from below.
I thought that was kinda brilliant.

Might work...please take video of the process!

@Machineryqueen was afraid you'd not get much response. I just don't think many folks have to type of set up you are wanting info on.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Has anyone built a run with 1/2" wire cloth for the top? I was curious as to how far apart the posts and beams should be to hold a large snow load of about 8 to 12 inches. I am in Ohio and we get large amounts of snow periodically. We are getting ready to build a very large run and would like some input. Any photos and your locations would be appreciated. We would prefer wire cloth versus a larger holed wire to prevent predator breeches.

I might be able to do a bit of a compare-and-contrast this winter. This will be the first winter for my coop and run so I am ready to learn from my possible mistakes.
Half of my 10X20 run is covered with a peaked roof. Actually, the whole run is covered with hardware cloth---sides and top. The peaked roof was recently added. The sides are high so the peaked roof provides some cover for my birds unless it is a crazy side-blowing rainstorm. We are going to put rain gutters up too, eventually. There is little overhang---had to do with the expense of larger panels and feeling like we were getting the equivalent of a $63 tomato with our chickens and eggs, lol. We love our girls but jeez....
Anyway, half of the run will have the benefit of the peaked roof, the other half will have hardware cloth.
Our sidewall posts are 5' apart---10' x 4" pressure treated posts sunk two feet into the ground. The roof structure where we have the peaked roof was beefed up with 2 x 6 "beams" 24" OC. The other side has the 2 x 6 lumber every 48"---more beams will be added in the Spring when we complete the project. All crossbeams are supported by joist hangers. The peaked roof also has purlins every 24" as per the polycarbonate panel recommended spacing for snow loads.
Sounds confusing, I know---here are some pics that might help. The second pic, especially, shows the difference between the roofed and non-roofed sides.

 

[aart]

$63 tomato with our chickens and eggs, lol

Absolutely...that's great book!

I wanted to suggest you leave the snow to pile up on one side of the flat roof as a load test....that would be great, not sure how risky. Keeping an eye on it then having to remove if it starting sagged too much might not be fun.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Absolutely...that's great book!

I wanted to suggest you leave the snow to pile up on one side of the flat roof as a load test....that would be great, not sure how risky. Keeping an eye on it then having to remove if it starting sagged too much might not be fun.

Not sure I want to let it get that far!!
I'll add that the HWC was extended over the edges of the structure and fastened both at the top and sides, sort of like a cap. So that might help too. 1.5" galvanized staples put in with a compressor gun, roughly 1-2" apart.
Yes, I will definitely be keeping an eye on that roof and probably running out to clear it before it gets a chance to sag. Of course, if we get two feet of snow while I'm sleeping there might be an unplanned test that could have me screaming in the morning!