Putting the roof on last question

[jeria]

Here is the situation: I'm building my coop by myself primarily on weekends since I work full time often getting off late. I really need to move my chicks into their new home by mid-July as they will outgrow their brooder box, they will be 6 weeks. I will not have help to put the roof on until the 2'nd week of July due to my 3 grandson's work and sports schedules, they are 15. I've never built a building, it is my own design so no directions, except my planning. This gramma cannot lift 4x10 sheets of exterior plywood by herself.

Will I have any issues putting on the plywood and metal roofing doing it last? I want to have everything else completed. Building a 4x6 foot coop enclosed in a completely covered run that will be 8x10. I know some say to put on the roof with just the framing up but that will put me into August before I can move the chicks out of my laundry room. I was hoping for a July vacation week but couldn't get time off until the end of August.

 

[Kiki]

I say there is not right or wrong way to building a coop, what ever floats your boat will end up working.
If you can't put the roof on today, don't stress over it...do it when you can.

 

[imnukensc]

Putting the roof on was pretty much the last thing I did on my coop as far as actual building goes. Don't worry about it. You'll be fine.

 

[jeria]

Thanks for you answers, I've seen several posts including the answer to the same question I asked on the weekly coop building thread saying you have to put the roof on before much besides the framing. It seems that with a simple slant roof it should not be hard to put on after the rest is completed. I may also need some help with the hardware cloth on the run but will see how that goes.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I will lend you my many years of experience.
The roof should be the last to go on. The structure gains a lot of strength from the exterior sheeting. The roof adds weight and more strength.
You need that strength in the walls before adding a lot of weight to the top. It is safer that way and keeps the walls square.

That being said the larger the structure the more important the wall strength. On small structures I personally still get those walls done first. Safety and all that.

 

[jeria]

21hens, thanks I was thinking that also but with no experience at building and reading some of the other post I was having my doubts. A good part of the progression is available help from very busy teenagers. They like to come help me with projects -- living 45 min away means some planning and not just come help for a free hour they might have. Also plan for lots of food and drinks..LOL.

 

[barn206]

Here is the situation: I'm building my coop by myself primarily on weekends since I work full time often getting off late. I really need to move my chicks into their new home by mid-July as they will outgrow their brooder box, they will be 6 weeks. I will not have help to put the roof on until the 2'nd week of July due to my 3 grandson's work and sports schedules, they are 15. I've never built a building, it is my own design so no directions, except my planning. This gramma cannot lift 4x10 sheets of exterior plywood by herself.

Will I have any issues putting on the plywood and metal roofing doing it last? I want to have everything else completed. Building a 4x6 foot coop enclosed in a completely covered run that will be 8x10. I know some say to put on the roof with just the framing up but that will put me into August before I can move the chicks out of my laundry room. I was hoping for a July vacation week but couldn't get time off until the end of August.

After you get the 4x 8 sheets on the roof... tarp it and take your time putting the metal/ asphalt up
Good luck

 

[blackdog043]

After you get the 4x 8 sheets on the roof... tarp it and take your time putting the metal/ asphalt up
Good luck

That's what I had to do. My plywood roof had a tarp over it for a month, until It was shingled.

Yes, the roof last is the way to do it. Icreatables has some good videos on building a shed. You might get some helpful tips for your build. This link is for the walls and squaring them up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoeEwBJJ5u8

 

[jeria]

Thanks, will check that video. It's only 8x10 and I have to corral busy 15yo grandsons, work and sports etc. to help one weekend. Luckily they have a bit of experience helping dad, neighbors, and good shop class. One is building a coop for his sis. It should get done pretty quickly, I do have a heavy tarp to use if need be. The exterior plywood will be painted with exterior paint before it goes up.