Roof Pitch; 4/12 or 3/12?

Diggin It · Mar 8, 2020

I think I spent as much time moving, placing, setting and tying the ladder off as I did up on it working in the last few days. Seems like I triple check everything and redo some of it before trying to work. I've been able to place the ladder between rafters so I can use them as guardrails, hand holds and tie off points.

Even with all that, I still got spooked coming down, trying to be certain I had my feet placed ON the next rung before shifting my weight. I kept thinking I was going to miss one and step through into air, then get hung up with a leg stuck.

Diggin It · Mar 22, 2020

Got enough of a break in the wind, rain and generally all around nasty weather to get the last four 14' roof panels up. They're only tacked down at the ridge and eaves, but that should hold, them for any winds for a few days. I'll get back up there soon as I can to drive the midfield screws and set the end trim pieces.

Still have to tackle the side walls, but that isn't near as big an issue.

JbirdNC · Mar 22, 2020

I’m in a similar position. I have a shed that I’ve refaced since buying the home. It was really dilapidated so I put in new siding, roof and trim and painted to match the house. Looks great now and provides functionally for my current needs, but I really want to expand it in two directions and add on a lean-to for tractor parking. It’s currently a 12x12 with a single pitch roof at a 1:6 slope. I had thought about keeping the original structure and adding on, but i do t see how that will turn out better than starting a new structure that is built as one originally, plus I want a taller roof line to accommodate storage and tractor parking.

Diggin It · Mar 23, 2020

If you have the resources, ability and time to tear down and build from scratch, that's a better way. I didn't and had to make do.

CoyPatton · Mar 24, 2020

Diggin It said:
I've used 1x4s over the existing roof on the house and garage, but for this with no under decking, I'd plan on 2x4s.

Diggin it, are you talking commercially built truss? Or on site stick built truss?
There is a huge difference in weigh bearing capacity. With even an occasional 10” snow, I would not go below a 40 lbs rated roof.
As someone else indicated you can go down to 2/12 pitch with metal roofing as it rids itself much easier than singles. Personally, I like to find out what the metal manufacture recommends for a pitch and then build using a slightly steeper pitch. You also gain on weigh load rating with a steeper pitch. (If manufacture says 2.5/12 then I like to build a 3/12 pitch). All that to say you should be fine on a 3/12 pitch, but you may need more than a 2x6 if building truss on site by sticks (my impression from how you stated it). Realizing that any and all codes are only minimum safety requirements. I always prefer to overbuild (cheaper than trying to rebuild a damaged structure).

Diggin It · Mar 26, 2020

^^ Stick built on site, by me who is no where near a carpenter. Used 2 x 6s. Done deal now. If it falls, it falls. Just hope I ain't under it.

Last of the screws are in that need to be done from up top. Got a few left, but they're close to the eave and I still need to put that in. Should be able to do all that from a ladder or scaffold from the ground. Last piece of ridge cap and a couple of pieces of end trim went on also. I think I can get the rest of that from the ground too. I decided today that I ain't built for bein' on a roof no mo'. Shore am glad I ain't gotta go up there ag'in. Well, hopefully not. I'll leave the platform shown earlier in place for a while ... just in case.

Now I just need to find out if my supplier will continue to be open so I can continue or if I'll need to suspend the project for a while.

CoyPatton · Mar 28, 2020

Diggin It said:
^^ Stick built on site, by me who is no where near a carpenter. Used 2 x 6s. Done deal now. If it falls, it falls. Just hope I ain't under it.

Last of the screws are in that need to be done from up top. Got a few left, but they're close to the eave and I still need to put that in. Should be able to do all that from a ladder or scaffold from the ground. Last piece of ridge cap and a couple of pieces of end trim went on also. I think I can get the rest of that from the ground too. I decided today that I ain't built for bein' on a roof no mo'. Shore am glad I ain't gotta go up there ag'in. Well, hopefully not. I'll leave the platform shown earlier in place for a while ... just in case.

Now I just need to find out if my supplier will continue to be open so I can continue or if I'll need to suspend the project for a while.

If possible ever where you put in screws, go back and add nails. Buy a cheap harbor freight framing nailer and a decent compressor and shoot nails. Nails have a much greater shear strength than screws. Screws are bad to snap when pressure is applied. I recall you saying you on occasion have some good snows.