Metal roof vs cedar shingle

[St Pete Hens]

I'm finally getting my chickens. My dream got delayed last year, but when asked what I want for Christmas and my birthday... chickens. I found an awesome local coop builder "Happy Chicken" and chose the 4x9 barn with run design. I work 6 days a week and building my design was impossible. My question is metal roof or cedar shingles? He said metal roof actually keeps the coop cooler as it reflects the heat. Any thoughts?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I believe it's more of an esthetic choice and not function. With proper ventilation there would be little difference and the metal roof would be the hotter of two. Metal would be faster to construct and last longer.

Make sure he provides enough ventilation along the eaves and out the gable ends and temp difference will not occur. Ventilation is critical for summer and winter, it's not to be blocked off. Venting along eaves and gable provides the air flow and exchange without drafts (cold air in winter on birds).

 

[Cacique500]

I'm finally getting my chickens. My dream got delayed last year, but when asked what I want for Christmas and my birthday... chickens. I found an awesome local coop builder "Happy Chicken" and chose the 4x9 barn with run design. I work 6 days a week and building my design was impossible. My question is metal roof or cedar shingles? He said metal roof actually keeps the coop cooler as it reflects the heat. Any thoughts?

My understanding was the metal would reflect the heat as well...which is one of the reasons I went with a metal roof. Love mine, other than when I'm in the coop and a pine cone drops on it...lol. The coop and run both have metal...

 

[Zoomie]

Well, my husband is the local fire chief so maybe I think about this more than I should, but the metal roof is better for helping to at least slow down a fire. Here we also have to worry about snow on the roof and you won't have to worry about that, but it will be good if there is ever a fire near by.

We've gone with all metal roofs on the outbuildings and we've been real happy with this choice. Also it's true your ventilation has to be very good.

That's really exciting you are getting chickens! Congratulations!

 

[St Pete Hens]

I believe it's more of an esthetic choice and not function. With proper ventilation there would be little difference and the metal roof would be the hotter of two. Metal would be faster to construct and last longer. 

Make sure he provides enough ventilation along the eaves and out the gable ends and temp difference will not occur. Ventilation is critical for summer and winter, it's not to be blocked off. Venting along eaves and gable provides the air flow and exchange without drafts (cold air in winter on birds).

 

[St Pete Hens]

I believe it's more of an esthetic choice and not function. With proper ventilation there would be little difference and the metal roof would be the hotter of two. Metal would be faster to construct and last longer. 

Make sure he provides enough ventilation along the eaves and out the gable ends and temp difference will not occur. Ventilation is critical for summer and winter, it's not to be blocked off. Venting along eaves and gable provides the air flow and exchange without drafts (cold air in winter on birds).

 

[St Pete Hens]

Thanks, I like the look of the shingles better. It is a barn style, two-storey, with large screen windows on all sides. I'm actually adding removable shutters to the plan for storms and those occasionally cold days.

 

[St Pete Hens]

My understanding was the metal would reflect the heat as well...which is one of the reasons I went with a metal roof. Love mine, other than when I'm in the coop and a pine cone drops on it...lol. The coop and run both have metal...

 

[St Pete Hens]

You're coop is awesome! This is a smaller scale, about ten hens, but it also has a metal roof over the run. I'm in Tampa Bay Florida, are you in a hot climate?

 

[Cacique500]

You're coop is awesome! This is a smaller scale, about ten hens, but it also has a metal roof over the run. I'm in Tampa Bay Florida, are you in a hot climate?

Thanks!

Yes I'm just south of Atlanta. The coop only gets full sun until about 1 pm then it goes into shade the rest of the day.