Roof for coop?

[adeechickluv]

I am in the process of building a coop. I've just finished the cram-all-the-research-you-can-into-your-brain stage .. and decided why not just start. I have a verrrry basic design, and am now pondering the roof. Should it be flat? I'm going to use corrugated PVC. Should it be in an upside down V shape? Or flat across? Or slanted?

thanks for the help,
Adrienne

 

[shopchicks]

I think it depends on your climate - how windy is it, how much snow load will the roof need to take, and how much water does it need to shed (and where is that water going to go?) Generally colder climates need more pitch. If it's very windy you don't want a big overhang that the wind can catch and peel the roof off.

 

[adeechickluv]

I live in a VERY rainy place, but it doesnt snow much ... just the occasional small layer of white fluff!

it's slightly windy, too. I am thinking of having a slightly slanted roof top. Would that work?
Thank you for your info.
Adrienne

 

[cobrien]

In your situation with little snow I would decide based on what you prefer aesthetically and your building skills. the inverter V shape might look nicer (but depends on your taste) but takes a bit more materials / skills to build (not that hard, but these things are always more challenging for me).

If it were me I would probably go flat, but by flat I mean the roof is all in the same plane with a slight tilt for water drainage. For roofs you always want at least a slope of at least 1/4" vertical drop over 12" horizontal, or about 1 degree. I'd make it about 5 degrees just to be sure.

 

[patandchickens]

If you are going to use corrugated plastic, it MUST have at least a 1.5:12 pitch (that is, slope down 1.5" for every 12" horizontally) or it will leak; and more is better. I would not recommend any less pitch for any other roofing either. If you are "very rainy" your best bet is a 2:12 or even 3:12 pitch, ideally with gutters and downspouts to carry the water away.

GET THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY. I can't tell you how many roofs I see on this forum that leak, or will blow off easily, or will collapse prematurely, because they are not supported or installed correctly. It is not rocket science but you can't just improvise. You need a certain spacing of rafters and purlins, and can only have a teeny bit of unsupported overhang, and have to use your closure strips and gasketed screws *correctly*, etc etc. Get the installation sheet and read it several times

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[rriveramri]

I used variegated plastic (Recycled) and slanted my rood 2.5 inches. The roof is 4x4. It has held up to the rain. I live in LA with mild weather. You can hardly notice the slant but it is working well.

 

[adeechickluv]

Thanks a ton for the help; I really understand it now .. thanks 2 yahll!

 

[fourfeathers]

All I can say, from experience (the learn as you go type) is overhang, overhang. I have a slight slant on mine because it doesn't snow a lot here, but would be better if slanted more. I had to add overhang because the rain blew under the corrugated, raised areas and it got really old dealing with a wet coop after each rain. The overhang solved it, and we anchored one side of the roof with posts into the ground so the roof wouldn't blow off.