Recommended Pitch

[BobbieB7]

Getting ready for Lean To Roof and need advice on roof pitch.
I’m in Rhode Island so our Winters are very cold, snow, ice and heavy winds.
Nor Easters.
Originally planned on just doing cable roof, but Husband wants lean to so he can stand inside.
We have zero skills with wood so a lot of reading and videos to help us along.
We’re using these composite (?) panels.
If my math is correct we’ll have 9” of overhang front and back and he wants 1’ overhang over door.
I know we need to extend the high end out to edge. That piece was in our scrap and built strong.
Anyway we are not sure the best pitch using panels and taking weather into consideration.
Personally feel he’s building a coop with a kite! Lol
From what I read a 4/12 would be minimum. Should we consider doing steeper than 4/12
Thank you

 

[Aunt Tat]

I'm in a similar situation..trying to figure out what the pitch should be on a 12x12 run with an OverEZ Coop under it.

But I've never heard of a "cable roof" so I looked it up. How would it help for winters in RI?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The minimum recommended pitch, from any Mfg I am aware of, for any conventional roofing material (asphalt shingles, metal roofing, polycarbonate, etc) is 3/12. Below that pitch the shingle Mfgs actually want special underlayment if they are going to warranty their products. That will also maximize your overhangs, because its the shallowest pitch recommended.

From your picture, it looks like you have selected Ondura as your roofing material? I would reconsider. Truly. The product has not proven the test of time, and is famed for brittleness, while the shape of the product makes it prone to the same installation errors that promote premature failure in wave profile sheet metal and poly-panels. Nor is it good for walking on. It also has substantial surface texture, which won't help you if you are thinking snow will slide of if its pitched steeply enough.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Pitch on a roof with a heavy snow load anticipation is subsequent to rafter/support. Steeper slopes usually equate to less accumulation but are harder to manage than flatter roofs.

We also get Noreasters with the occasional 2ft + of snow. The leantos i build use 2x6 rafters 16" o.c. supported by the top of the exterior wall of the adjacent building (not bolted to exterior wall) and either run to the ground or a post & beam support. The pitch is no less than 5%. If 5%, i use weathershield (not tar paper)for shingled roofs as the underlayment. Standard for the bottom 3ft of any roof where snow is expected to linger on roofs.
If i run it to the ground, ill use 2x4 16" o.c. unless the distance from the wall to ground is greater than 6ft. More than 6ft can cause the 2x4s to bow significantly and btw board braces are a good idea any time using 2x4s

There are plenty of building codes etc to consult before work, but my thought is that its a chicken coop, not a house. So long as it is durable and lasts and serves the chickens well, idc if it is up to code. But your locality may have a different say on the matter.

 

[BobbieB7]

I'm in a similar situation..trying to figure out what the pitch should be on a 12x12 run with an OverEZ Coop under it.

But I've never heard of a "cable roof" so I looked it up. How would it help for winters in RI?

I think a regular cable roof is pretty. More cottage looking in my opinion. Lean to’s with high pitch seems moderish and I dislike the height. If Hubby wants lean to he has it. I’m grateful that he’s along for ride with chickens