What's cheaper, corrugated plastic or metal for roof?

[Ridgerunner]

If you are buying new, you should be able to get a load rating on it from wherever you buy it or the manufacturer. They should be able to tell you how it needs to be supported and maybe at what angle, though that angle will vary depending in where you live. You should be able to get the recommendations from the builing codes from your city or a nearby city. A competent carpenter should know what angle is needed in your area, if the person you are getting to build it is a regular carpenter.

Not all plastic is identical. Not all metal is identical. They come in different grades and quality and for different purposes. If you get the wrong stuff or don't support it the way it needs to be supported, no matter how little you pay for it, it is not cheaper in the long run. I personally prefer metal. It lasts longer and stands up to hail better. But it is your personal choice.

I used old metal from a roof that blew off a roof in a storm for my run. It has some nail holes since it was used, and I get some water leaking through those holes, but it keeps snow out of the run from above. And I don't wory about light coming through the metal roof on my run. I get plenty of light (and too much snow) coming through the wire that makes up the sides of my run. The metal roof on the run provides needed shade.

The light in my coop gets in through a window, not the new metal roof. Here I'd be more concerned about the greenhouse effect in the summer with transparent or translucent panels on the coop roof.

Good luck!

 

[seattlehens83]

I just had this dilema myself as I just put the roof on my coop and run last week. I decided to go with 3-tab shingles instead of corrugated plastic/tin. They were about $23 from Home depot a pack. Did aprrox 80 sqft with three packs. Never roofed before but here is the youtube video I used to figure it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdLahiPBWWs

Had to put down about 2.5 4'x8'x3/4" plywood as sheating, tar paper, border trim...

I just figured that if it leaks over time I don't want to have to get up on a plastic roof and try and repair it.

Just my perspective. Though I think that corrugated might by less time consuming to install.

 

[AugeredIn]

Plastic/fiberglass does not last near as long as metal and it gets cloudy fairly quick. Both last quite a while, but use metal if you can. If you want a cheaper alternative use Ondura. I have used it a few times over the last three years and have been very pleased. It seems to be not well liked here, but it has worked well for me.

 

[fireguy56]

Hi, Being a contractor for many years, but new to raising chickens....when I decided to build my coop and run there was no question as to what roofing material I would use. Metal. The Sun eats plastic materials. Metal will last a very long time. Try to find an outlet in your area that sells galvalume r-panel or painted if ya want a color. . It is the material used on commercial buildings. Very cost effective for coverage area compared to flimsey Home Deopt or Lowes plastic roofing. If ya get snow? ( can't imagine that white stuff everywhere) Pitch the roof accordingly for removal. You can't go wrong with metal. Can get in any length needed. Covers 36" width. easy to install and very durable. For example...locally here in South La. an 8' x 36" sheet is 16.00 bucks. So, 'bout 2.00 bucks a runnig foot. Can't beat it. If ya gonna have your coop for a long time, put a good roof on it. Just my opinion. Hope this helps. Check out my page to see what I did. Might give ya some ideas.....only don't go flat like I did. We don't get much snow...thank the lord.
Erik