roofing the run?

[LeghornLisa]

I also live in New England, so I am anxious to see what you get for a reply. My 6 girls are 3 weeks old and still in my den in their brooder. The coop is up but not complete. Living in this climate makes you really think long and hard about how to build a safe home for them. Best of luck

 

[patandchickens]

To roof a run, you are basically constructing a shed with no walls.

It needs rafters AND purlins, the one at right angles to the other, both of which will probably be spaced at 2' (altho it depends on your exact construction). (There is another way of doing it, but it doesn't save you THAT much lumber since it all needs to be bigger)

The manufacturer of Suntuf and Palruf has a brochure that details the support specifications needed for their products, and presumably mfrs of other plastic and metal roofing materials do too -- CONSULT THEM AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. The stuff is pretty saggy, and expensive enough you don't want to ruin a whole roof's worth by incorrect construction. (I really LIKE it, you just have to use it as intended)

There is no issue of strength of the roofing panels, only the issue of strength of how you've got them SUPPORTED. So, see above paragraph

If the roof is flat, you will need to use *approved* sealants at all seams, and the roof will still probably leak, plus you will spend MUCH more money on lumber constructing a stronger supporting structure; thus it is smarter to have some reasonable pitch like at least 2:12.

The supporting structure needs to be built to withstand your local snow loads, so do not just happily go off building plans designed for, like, Alabama

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[gotpoodle]

Thanks for the links and suggestions!
Jenski, your coop and run requirements on your Jenotopia blog perfectly describe my needs in terms of ease of use, my suburban neighborhood, where to put the coop/run for easy viewing, etc.

I love the look of the corrugated stuff as roofing panels. I guess I need to go talk to someone at Home Depot or Lowe's and get manufacturers suggestions and look at total costs.
And other roof pics and ideas appreciated! More is better!

 

[sheeshshe]

I was going to cover my run too because of the heavy snow load..

can I just use the metal sheeting roofing that they have at lowes or home depot?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yup, certainly.... but all the abovementioned stuff about making sure you've got appropriate supporting structure still applies

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[CityChook]

Here's my covered run:

Nothing fancy. It is metal siding off a friend's barn (hail damaged so the insurance replaced it - I don't think the chickens care). It is framed with supports every 24 inches and screwed down. We put a little dollop of silicone over each screw to keep the leaking to a minimum. Pitch isn't very steep, but snow simply slides off. Keeps the majority of snow out of the run, but I still get some that blows in. Sounds great in the rain.

 

[gotpoodle]

Citychook, is it one big piece of metal?
I've been on your BYC site in the past to check out your coop and run ~ love them and love how you've 'decorated' the space!

That pitch/look is kinda what I had in mind... Thanks!

 

[taxus812]

Here is mine I live in northern CT and my coop is 5x12
I'm using galvanized steel and I have supports every 3' with boards (purlins) running the entire length.

 

[gotpoodle]

Quote:
Love this! Thanks for showing the inside struts, too...I'm getting lots of ideas.

 

[gotpoodle]

And that little emoticon really is me, drinking Swiss Mocha at the computer! LOL!