Chicken coop roof, overhang and construction methods

[Sunshine Flock]

I don't have photos to show you for now, but maybe soon.

I converted an old shed into a chicken coop. The interior is 4' deep and 7' wide with a sloping roof. The roof is taller on the front where the people door is located, and slopes down toward the back, where the chicken door was installed.

The overhang of the roof is minimal. The plywood sheeting sits on 2x4's that were placed flat instead of on edge, which is usually done for stronger construction. And flat recycled metal sheets sit on top of the plywood and were sealed with an epoxy.

The depth of the shed front to back (inside) is four feet. If I use 8' 2x4s to replace the shorter ones (hence the lack of an overhang), an almost two foot overhang on either side is acceptable, right? Are there any concerns with that? Too much?

I'm thinking for such a small shed, an 18" overhang or so shouldn't present any problems, but I'd welcome your feedback. There's a tree just behind the coop inside the run, so I may have to trim the 8' boards, but probably not by much.

For the roofing I'd like to use corrugated metal to match our larger shed. I'll be doing this by myself once the rain lets up. I was also wondering about insulation for the roof, not for the cold but for the obnoxiously hot summers we have here. I'm not sure what's best for that and am wondering if it can wait, since it doesn't seem to affect the roofing design. Perhaps tuck insulation behind hardware cloth?

Anyway, please let me know what you think.

 

[cavemanrich]

Large overhangs are good for rain water deterrents on your coop. I suggest you make yours what you are comfortable viewing. When things are out of proportion, they tend to look funny. As for insulation,,,,,,,,,,, If you are going to put metal roof panels directly on your studs You will have a hot radiant roof during summer. If you first nail plywood, and then metal, You should be OK. If no plywood, then place Styrofoam type insulation on studs. Then screw/nail your metal panels thru insulation into studs.
WISHING YOU BEST.......

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Large overhangs are good for rain water deterrents on your coop. I suggest you make yours what you are comfortable viewing. When things are out of proportion, they tend to look funny. As for insulation,,,,,,,,,,, If you are going to put metal roof panels directly on your studs You will have a hot radiant roof during summer. If you first nail plywood, and then metal, You should be OK. If no plywood, then place Styrofoam type insulation on studs. Then screw/nail your metal panels thru insulation into studs.
WISHING YOU BEST.......

The metal roofing will go directly on top of the plywood. I was thinking standing the 2x4s on edge would allow space for roof insulation inside the coop and once it's installed the ceiling height would end up being the same as it is now.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll take before and after photos and post them here.

 

[cavemanrich]

Putting the studs vertically has 2 purposes. First, is obvious strength. Second benefit is it allows ventilation at where it meets the walls. Just cove up openings with hardware cloth or welded wire to predator proof. Hold off on the insulation until summer. You may find out that with plywood base, it is not necessary. With both front and back open at the eves, you should get a nice flow of air that would cool ceiling area. The incline of roof also encourages airflow.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Putting the studs vertically has 2 purposes. First, is obvious strength. Second benefit is it allows ventilation at where it meets the walls. Just cove up openings with hardware cloth or welded wire to predator proof. Hold off on the insulation until summer. You may find out that with plywood base, it is not necessary. With both front and back open at the eves, you should get a nice flow of air that would cool ceiling area. The incline of roof also encourages airflow.

Sounds like a good plan, thank you. Would your name happen to be Stan? That'd be awesome.

 

[aart]

2x4's that were placed flat instead of on edge, which is usually done for stronger construction.

Not true, but for a 4' span it doesn't matter.

Putting the studs vertically has 2 purposes. First, is obvious strength. Second benefit is it allows ventilation at where it meets the walls.

This^^^^

I'm thinking for such a small shed, an 18" overhang or so shouldn't present any problems,

Sounds good! ...how close is that tree?

 

[cavemanrich]

Sounds like a good plan, thank you. Would your name happen to be Stan? That'd be awesome.

Well, no , It is actually Rich. Below is a family photo.

I'm on the right. DW on left. Some of our offsprings enjoying dinner with mom and dad. BTW, we have no birth certificates......

Oh, and I did want to include a pix of my chickens..

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Well, no , It is actually Rich. Below is a family photo.
View attachment 1178683
I'm on the right. DW on left. Some of our offsprings enjoying dinner with mom and dad. BTW, we have no birth certificates......

Oh, and I did want to include a pix of my chickens..
View attachment 1178684

Awesome hen! Reminds me of my mother!!

But hey, that's my family photo and that's me at the back reading a tablet I carved in cavepeople hieroglyphics.

Papa? Is that you???!!!

 

[imnukensc]

I wouldn't put any insulation at all. Once it gets hot in the summer, the insulation isn't going to make the coop any cooler. Being in the midlands of SC, I'm pretty familiar with hot.........and humid. Make sure you have some overhang on the sides, too, and not just front and back.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I wouldn't put any insulation at all. Once it gets hot in the summer, the insulation isn't going to make the coop any cooler. Being in the midlands of SC, I'm pretty familiar with hot.........and humid. Make sure you have some overhang on the sides, too, and not just front and back.

The plan is to make the overhang the same all the way around. We get some really strong wind here. Just nails will suffice for nailing the roof together?