How to Build Your Own Roof For Your Shed

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Dana

If you have a shed and it needs a roof, why not save time and money by building it yourself?

If you plan on embarking on this endeavor yourself, you should always ensure that your shed roof can handle a good deal of weight placed on it, especially if you live in areas with heavy snowfall in the winter months. Your shed roof must be able to protect what is inside from the outside elements. If you build such a roof, you can count on your shed, and its contents, lasting for years on end.

Before you even begin working on your shed roof, you have to obtain construction plans for your roof. Always be sure to check your construction plans against any local building codes to ensure your roof will be in full compliance.

Once you have your roofing plans and you have confirmed that your roof will not violate any building codes, pick up the roof trusses that you need for the roof. You can find roof trusses at your local lumberyard. You will need to obtain decking after you have installed your roof trusses.

Decking is typically needed to tie the roof trusses together and to provide support for roof loads. Be careful to note the weather conditions outside when heading out to install your decking. You should not do this work when it is windy outside as the boards have a large surface area, and thus, can catch the wind and knock you right off that roof. Then you may very well have to hire a professional to complete the job while you sit by and watch helplessly, recuperating from the injury caused by that fall.

You will want to create a very steep roof pitch, especially if you live in an area where it snows so you can prevent the snow from accumulating on your roof, and thereby, preventing damage to your roof.

When picking out shingles for the roof, opt for twenty year shingles. It is also wise to buy shingles that are the same color as the shingles on the roof of your home. Not only will this make it more attractive overall, but most communities have HOAs with very strict guidelines and requirements for such things. If you buy shingles that do not match your home’s roof, the HOA may very well require you to remove it and all your hard week will be for naught, not to mention the expense you will incur in taking it down and replacing it with a new, conforming roof.

After you have installed your decking, you will need to waterproof your shed roof using asphalt roofing paper and shingles.

Building a roof for your DIY shed is not difficult, and can even be a fun project, if you have a good set of plans and use the right materials and tools for the job.