Help needed on how to mount roof? First coop build.

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I have begun to build my urban coop, future home for my three chicks (who are currently living in my house in a bin!) It's 3.5x5 (will be attached to a secure 12x4 run, in addition to the space underneath) and I am so excited. I made a roof separate but now a little confused on how to attach it. I think I need to cut the top posts with 45 degree angles, correct? Add bracing? Newbie here. Any tips on how to add this roof to the coop? Should I attach the steel first before lifting up? I intentionally have ventilation gaps below the roof, which will be covered in hardware cloth.

In my area we do get snow so I angled it fairly steeply.

(also ps I will be cutting a hole and adding an external nesting box later. I still have time!)

 

[mowin]

No need to cut a angel. Unfortunately you already sheathed to roof. You should have built the frame and attached that first.
If the roof is just sheathed, and not shingled, I'd place it on top and use 6" long screws to fasten it to the top plate of the walls.

Just looked at the picture again. I don't see a top plate to the wall.. are the longer uprights for securing the roof?

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

No need to cut a angel. Unfortunately you already sheathed to roof. You should have built the frame and attached that first.
If the roof is just sheathed, and not shingled, I'd place it on top and use 6" long screws to fasten it to the top plate of the walls.

Just looked at the picture again. I don't see a top plate to the wall.. are the longer uprights for securing the roof?

Yes the longer uprights are for roof - but that's what I was wondering if I need some sort of horizontal 2x4 between them or? That's where I'm a bit confused. And yes it's just sheathed, not shingled. I was planning on doing steel since a neighbour has some scrap. It's going to rain before I can pick it up so I wanted to sheath in case I didn't get the steel in time.

 

[mowin]

Yes the longer uprights are for roof - but that's what I was wondering if I need some sort of horizontal 2x4 between them or? That's where I'm a bit confused. And yes it's just sheathed, not shingled. I was planning on doing steel since a neighbour has some scrap. It's going to rain before I can pick it up so I wanted to sheath in case I didn't get the steel in time.

Ok, add 2x4 across the upper and lower uprights the same size of your roof. Attach the roof through the sheathing to the 2x's you added. Ideally, there should be a 2x4 in the roof that will sit on those horizontals. You don't want a space between the sheathing and the horizontals.. basically, make sure you screw threw sheathing, frame of roof into the horizontal 2x's, not just sheathing into the horizontal 2x's.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

oh no I just realized I built this roof and did not make it long enough to have overhang!! I did the overhang for the sides but totally didn't do it on the length. Sigh. It's been such a struggle to build things properly and I keep screwing up. How do I fix this? Any suggestions to add length to the roof? I really wanted to get it on today since it's agoing to rain the next couple days

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

oh no I just realized I built this roof and did not make it long enough to have overhang!! I did the overhang for the sides but totally didn't do it on the length. Sigh. It's been such a struggle to build things properly and I keep screwing up. How do I fix this? Any suggestions to add length to the roof? I really wanted to get it on today since it's agoing to rain the next couple days

You don't *have* to have overhang on all 4 sides. But if you prefer it, I think your best to put the roof on as instructed above first. Then see how much over hang you will actually need. If you are going for just a foot on with side, you may be able to get away with just laying the metal roofing on at that length, without having to do anything else. Or if you feel you need more support, a couple of braces added should be fine.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

You don't *have* to have overhang on all 4 sides. But if you prefer it, I think your best to put the roof on as instructed above first. Then see how much over hang you will actually need. If you are going for just a foot on with side, you may be able to get away with just laying the metal roofing on at that length, without having to do anything else. Or if you feel you need more support, a couple of braces added should be fine.

thank you for easing my mind. I thought I really needed to at least overhang by 6inches so the sides didn't get soaked. But yes thank you. I think it an be solved. phew! I literally woke up at 6am realizing my mistake. thank you

 

[aart]

I thought I really needed to at least overhang by 6inches so the sides didn't get soaked.

It's best to have as much overhang as you can.......especially because.....

......In my area we do get snow

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

It's best to have as much overhang as you can.......especially because.....

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3138207

Yes, I'm located in eastern ontario. We get snow and rain, etc. Hot summers cold winters.

 

[Banana01]

I have begun to build my urban coop, future home for my three chicks (who are currently living in my house in a bin!) It's 3.5x5 (will be attached to a secure 12x4 run, in addition to the space underneath) and I am so excited. I made a roof separate but now a little confused on how to attach it. I think I need to cut the top posts with 45 degree angles, correct? Add bracing? Newbie here. Any tips on how to add this roof to the coop? Should I attach the steel first before lifting up? I intentionally have ventilation gaps below the roof, which will be covered in hardware cloth.

In my area we do get snow so I angled it fairly steeply.

(also ps I will be cutting a hole and adding an external nesting box later. I still have time!)

Is the roof going to have corrugated metal? What is the top of the roof material? You coukd use the wood as an insulation and install a few sheets of corrugated making the overhang.

I tried to draw a roof structure on my phone. What is lacking is your triangular structures, if you have more wood available, you can try to level the columns, but if you dont want to raise the columns to be level, you can try to build the base triangles using the columns as is.

Your roof piece is a good insulation but i suggest using corrugated with a rainwater channels after you get it installed.