Just thought I would pose this question to the experts here. I live in the Northeast (NH) and have built a woodshed and I’m finishing up the rafters. The structure is 4′ deep by 20′ wide and has a 3:12 roof slope. I was planning on putting up a metal roof but now I am swaying toward an asphalt shingle roof. Half of this structure will be open to the elements (this is where the wood will be located) and the other half will be enclosed for storage, etc. I would love to hear what people feel about metal roof vs an asphalt shingle roof. I haven’t costed it out yet but cost may sway me. Also, I have a shed next to it with asphalt shingles already so it may make sense to match. It just looks like putting up a metal roof may be a lot easier especially if I get the panels pre-cut.
I welcome all opinions. Also, what is your opinion on tar paper between the shings and the sheathing for such a structure? I was also thinking of 1/2″ plywood for the sheathing. Here is a picture of it before I finished the rafters.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
Greetings buzz,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
sleeps till noon but before it's dark...
I would use metal roofing, it goes down so eazy on simple roofs like that. Plus with a metal roof (most not all) you would not need plywood you could use purlins and save some money that way.
wyatt
Hey Buzz,
I did my wood shed with metal for one reason, I was recycling both the metal and the purlins. Advantage over asphalt may be time vs. expense. Your choice. Matching to an existing roof on a nearby structure may effect resale value.
I have'nt used metal roofs before but it sound like a good idea. If you do use shinlges use some ice and water shield not tar paper. Your roof is quick and simple and for the extra cost of the rubber membrane you can sleep at night knowing that roof is not going to leak. I know what some of may be thinking. is he nuts, ice and water on a shed. yep because the slope of the roof is below a 5/12 slope. hey that's just my opinion , icould be wrong , if it was my shed I would put the ice and water sheild on it. nothing worse than having mother nature ruin your hard work. Good luck.
I don't know what your ground snow load is, but that would be a part of the rational in choosing one or the other. A 3:12 pitch is pretty low and a lot of snow will accumulate up there, and stay on a shingle roof. Metal tends to reach ambient air temperature faster than wood. On the days it goes above freezing the metal will warm under the snow load and the snow will slide down and off the roof. It will also refreeze quicker as temps fall in the evening, and you will get some humongus icecicles on the back :).
Your framing looks good for sheathing and shingles at any snow load. 16" o.c. rafters?
You could spread them to 2' o.c. and place purlins over them at 2' o.c. and not loose anything in load capacity if you use metal.
My shop has a metal roof, and it was cheaper than sheathing and shingles.
Dave
Dave,
I ended up putting 1/2" ply over the rafters and last minute decided to go with a metal roof. It is my understanding that it is still OK to put metal on plywood instead of just purlins. Just checking...What is the equivalent of a drip edge with a metal roof?Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Annother vote for metal (or fiberglas or polycarbonate).
Have a shingle roof on my 3/12 woodshed and after 18 years some of the 3/4 ply is rotted due to backup under the shingles due to combo of moss and snow backing up the water.
Thanks All for your opinions. I appreciate the responses. Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Could any of you gentlemen post pictures of your sheds, especially the metal roof itself and how it interfaces with your facia board.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I am not an expert at all - but am interested in this question since we get a lot of snow and cold in northern Minnesota. The July 1999 issue of Fine Homebuilding had an article on "Designing Roofs for Snow Country" by Henrik Bull which may be of interest to you. As I understand his recommendation - the issue with metal roofs is sliding snow so "keep the roof form simple, without obstructions, and know where the snow will land". If I understand his other recommendations, his preference is for keeping the snow on the roof as an insulating material. That doesn't seem like an issue for the wood storage part, but might be nice for the storage part of the structure. Hope that helps! Michaelene
Thanks Michaelene,
I'll have to look into that issue.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I ran the metal 1/2" over the fascia.
I wish I didn't go with the purlins. I kick myself everytime I see it. It wasn't that much more $$$ expecially after what I sunk in the shed in the first place.
There is always next time
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WWPD
So you wish you had used plywood underneath? Did you end up using those enclosure pieces that they sell for where the roof meets the edge, in your case, the facia board? Do you know if they sell some type of drip edge for a metal roof? Do you think 1/2" is enough to prevent water from hitting the drip edge. It looks like your facia board is at an angle where mine will be straight up and down because I cut the ends of the rafters that way.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
So you wish you had used plywood underneath? Yes, I feel with all the hurricanes it would allow more strength.
Did you end up using those enclosure pieces that they sell for where the roof meets the edge, in your case, the facia board? No, I have not noticed those on any metal roofs in my area.
Do you know if they sell some type of drip edge for a metal roof? I just used standard drip edge on my shed (I am a rookie not a pro)
Do you think 1/2" is enough to prevent water from hitting the drip edge. The 1/2" just worked out that way (long story--you can read it here http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=51700.1)
It looks like your facia board is at an angle where mine will be straight up and down because I cut the ends of the rafters that way. I utilized wood from a deck I tore out to build my shed. Many of the things I did (right or wrong) was because i wanted to maximize the most out of the used materials I had.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWPD
Thanks for the info. I'm still going back and forth on the roof. Shingles would be cheaper but metal would be quick. I think I'll just use the drip edge that I bought even if I do metal or wood. Thanks for all of your input...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzz - I was looking at your pics, incl the ones in the "other" thread. One question: Why did you pitch the roof towards the open side.? Doesn't this mean that when it rains or when the snowload slides off everything will land in front of the doorways or even onto an (un)suspecting individual? Okay, I lied, that was 2 questions.hhmmm...FrankieThere he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
I don't like the look of the roof slanting the other way. To me, it looks like an outhouse. I've been asked that question many times. I wanted it to look like a front porch. I always snowblow out that area anyway so I'm not concerned about the snow. We'll see how things work out with the water. I could always add a gutter to divert the water if it appears to be a problem.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie