roofing for run?

[frizzleman74]

i am currently in the middle of building my run!!! I was planning on using polycarbonate or pvc rooving of some sort! Money is tight however! Does anyone know a place to get these panels for cheaper? thanks!!

 

[patandchickens]

You're unlikely to find a cheap mail-order source, so you would need to call around locally. However IME there is very little price difference.

Don't lump pvc and polycarbonate together, they're quite different. PVC sucks for roofing, especially anywhere in the North and anywhere that gets hailstorms and if you want it to last more than a few years. (That includes pretty much all real-world situations

) Whereas polycarbonate, the more expensive stuff, is quite durable if installed right.

You might want to consider metal instead. Plain galvanized metal roofing panels, especially if you scrimp on gauge if you are offered a choice, are typically your best compromise of price and durability (they are in-between the price of pvc and the price of polycarbonate, usually, and at least as durable as polycarbonate).

Whatever you end up using, it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL you find the manufacturer's specs for how to support and install it. I see soooo many BYCers with very incorrectly installed roofing, much of which blows off in the first good storm. Don't do that. Do it right, make it last

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[mariel37]

Just yesterday, we put up three 12' sheets of the thin white PVC sheets on top of some of our run.

During the day, the sun is in the middle of the 12' x 16' run. It is funny to watch the chickens walk around, then run-run-run through the sunlight into the next spot of shade!

It's awfully hot here in central Florida already. The flock has their beaks open and they're "panting" already and we aren't even into real summer yet.

 

[loubapache]

Go with polycarbonate. I just did a 10' x 16' run with it and am also using for the side walls as well.

You can see my run here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=55498

I found Menards (only in midwest) has the lowest price for polycarbonate panels. Right now, they are on sale: $18 for 2' x 8' and $26 for 2' x 12'.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Has that been through a winter yet?

I redid mine last summer and made it slanted 6' in front 5' in back and started covering it with metal coregated sheets. I'll finish it this summer and start on the other one. Mine is 8x24. I think the sheets were $15 at Lowes. or thereabouts. I still of course had to rake snow off the top.

I was thinking about what you used for the front and sides in place so they have an area that stays dry.

Yours is def. fancier than mine. Very nice IMO.

Rancher

 

[loubapache]

Hi, Rancher, it has not gone through a winter yet but has seen a couple 40 mph windy days already. I made sure the structure can carry the snow load. I think it is strong enough and certainly hope so. I planted a few more bricks in the ground in case I need to add more vertical posts so the bricks can be used as the supporting bases. Right now, the Southern Pine Span Table shows that my roof structure can support 50 pounds per square foot of total load (without considering the extra 1 x 4's and 2 x 4's on top of the rafters). The polycarbonate panels hardly have any dead load.

I have gone through two construction projects (our house and later an addition) so I learned quite a bit from my contractor friend, who also has a chicken farm.

My side walls are only partially covered now and it does stop the rain.

 

[frizzleman74]

thanks so much! i think ill go with the polycarbonate! By the way, thats a beautiful set up you have there

 

[rancher hicks]

here's mine this winter.

From an upstairs window. Not sure you can see but I covered the sides with plastic so they can get some fresh air when it's not to cold.

 

[sillyovrsilkies]

Any suggestions as to how I can cover 2 10x10x6 dog kennels efficiently? We've tried tarps, but the runoff isn't working so well...my poor silkies are getting drenched and I'm afraid they're going to get beat down in the sun this summer if I don't cover the top of their run in some way. Any help would be greatly appreciated as we're spending too much $$ and not coming up w/ good solutions!

 

[loubapache]

That is a lot of snow, Rancher. We also got quite some snow this winter.

Yes, I can see the plastic. I decided to go with polycarbonate for the sides mainly because of convenience. I can screw on or take off the panels very easily and they should last a long time.