I need some easy, cheap, coop roof help..or ideas for winter

[sandmbaker]

ok so I built my coop around my grape arcobour this year and now that winter is coming im concerned about winter proofing it. Ok I will try to make this a simple to inderstand as I can. basically my grape arbor is made of 8 4x4 posts cemented into the ground and 2x4s around the top and latis going across the top for the grapes to grow on and 2x4's across the middle for support. Now I want to figure something easy to do for a roof for the winter. I thought about tarps but then I have to create an angle for water to run off so it doesnt get top heavy and collapse. Keep in mine Im a woman and I am good at everything except building so the easier the better. My husband works 12 hours a day so he wont have time to help me but I do have saws and all that and I can work them. any ideas would be awesome! also I dont want to spend alot.

 

[sandmbaker]

also I dont want to roof the whole thing only the part over my coop. which is I think 8 feet by 8 feet give or take a little.

 

[mickey328]

Can you post a pic of the coop roof itself? I'm not quite sure I understand...is the top of the coop itself open now? From the photo, it looks like the coop is under the grape vine.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Why would that area need a roof? You have a coop so that is where they are protected from the elements on those brisk winter nights. Your set up is basically the same as mine; our coop is in a 10x10 dog kennel. All we've done in the past for the run is put tarps around several sides to create a wind shelter. You'll have to shovel snow out of the run area but winterizing a run is as simple as blocking wind from prevailing sides.

 

[Tweakster]

Might I still suggest a tarp?? What can be done to get drainage is to nail a 2x4 upright to the midle of each each end of the arbor, so they stick up in the air about 18 inches to two feet. Then connect them with another 2x4 placed on the 2 inch edge (nail or screw both ends into the uprights). This becomes a ridge beam and all you need to do is to through the tarp over it. Secure the edges of the tarp to the existing 2x4s that make the side of the arbor. This is inexpense, is easy to undo in the spring, and doesn't interfere with the grape vine too much. You don't have to use a 2x4 (on edge) roof beam between the uprights, you could also stretch a rope or cable. Could use anything, really, that will keep the center of the trap up in the air and mak eit drain to either side.

As an alternative, you could fasten the uprights on one side of the arbor to raise it above the other side which would creat a shed type roof out of the tarp. Again, inexpensive and easy to undo.

Just a thought, HTH!

 

[Jim19053]

Ondura roofing from Lowes. Works great and is cheap. Check it out in my coop video.

Jim

http://bcths.net/coop.html

 

[fairfeatherfriend]

Awesome video! Thanks for the tip on roofing. We live in the PNW (WA state), so we are looking to add some roofing to part of the run. The tarp has lasted for about 4 years, but it's time to replace, we think. Also, roofing like the one in your coop, is cleaner and looks like it will deter rain and snow so well.

 

[Jim19053]

That roofing is great. I have used on for my deck, my Gazebo, and now my coop. It is only about $20 a sheet and is light and strong. The sheets are 80" long by 4 feet wide. They are made of recycled tires, and roofing materials. It is much better than the plastic stuff. Good luck with your project!



My Coop > http://bcths.net/coop.html