I am considering having a couple of six foot wide shed dormers in new construction. When designing such what should one consider for easy of building, proper ridge venting, structural strength, and asthetics? Do you like to run the shed to the primary ridge?
The shed dormers I have in mind are relatively high in the roof with only about 30 inches of wall exposed in the front, mostly for head room and a bit of light. The primary roof is a 10 in 12 pitch so there is no problem chosing between a 4 in 12 pitch up to a 7 in 12 pitch (which would roughtly place the shed roof at the primary ridge. Therefore, is a shed dormer running short of the primary roof preferred?
Running short of the ridge might add a bit more interest to the roof. But is tieing teh shed into the ridge stronger or take some load off the primary roof rafters? Does the choice impact roof venting in anyway?
I am sure there are onther considerations, but I will throw this out and start here.
Replies
Keep it down
Tie the dormer roof in a few inches down from the main ridge.
This will allow for a cleaner look for your ridge cap - no bumping up or distorting the ridge line when viewed from the opposite side of the roof from the dormers.
Terry
Good points
You say a few inches below the ridge... Are you saying just drop the shed rafters and still hang it on the ridge beam just a bit lower or are you suggesting placing a header (not sure you would call it that) between the doubled side rafters and hang the shed rafters from it? Of course this set up could be placed further down the roof as well.
YOu say a few inches below the ridge, is there a reason you suggest only a few inches if I coudl set get a 5 or 6 in 12 pitch on teh shed and be say 2 or 4 feet below the ridge?
Thanks.
After you figure out where.......
don't forget to properly construct.
KICKOUT flashing at the bottom corners so you don't have to come back here in 7 yrs and ask how to repair it.
I'm sure you already have the sidewalls designed for long lasting comfort.
long lasting comfort?
Are you suggesting Mooney Walls on the side walls? LOL. Not sure if you are poking fun, making a joke, or have a point. Please elaborate.
As for kickout flashing, all true for all dormers.
The point is.......
I get sick of going up on someones roof that did not detail the roofing/step flashing/siding or rake board up high enough off the roof and all sealed up all sides cuts etc/counterflashing and/or vicor done right (or at all) to fix it.
"oh my, you're expensive"..................
bite me, call the guy that did it in the first place-maybe he's still in business.
see what I mean.
No Doubt!
I think I have a handle on the step flashing, kickout flashing, and siding up off roof.
However, I am not clear on best practice for running the rake fly rafter of the shed dormer into the main roof. Do you let the fly rafter make direct contact with the main roof sheathing and then flash it to the main roof to protect it? Or can you or do you hold it off the roof and let only the sheathing on the dormer make contract with teh main roof? Or am I missing something?
Thanks as usual.
No Doubt!
I think I have a handle on the step flashing, kickout flashing, and siding up off roof.
However, I am not clear on best practice for running the rake fly rafter of the shed dormer into the main roof. Do you let the fly rafter make direct contact with the main roof sheathing and then flash it to the main roof to protect it? Or can you or do you hold it off the roof and let only the sheathing on the dormer make contract with teh main roof? Or am I missing something?
Thanks as usual.