Roof Pitch; 4/12 or 3/12?

[Diggin It]

The fabric roof issue thread led me to a question.

I'll be doing this shed in phases, primarily due to finances available, not to mention muscles available and backache issues. The first section will only be about 8' wide where I'm expanding the foot print of an existing shed, but it will span the full 24-26'. I can do the wood truss work now to get it shaped and ready for a roof. But my money is focused on metal roof over the house and garage where I have a few leaks that need to be dealt with. More important than a shed.

I'd like to get the new shed area 'under cover' though so I can park and store things inside out of direct weather. The walls will be done with reclaimed barn wood sides removed from the part of the old shed this will attach to, so that won't cost anything other than my sore back.

I'm considering using clear plastic sheeting temporarily, maybe for a few months. A 10' wide x 50' long roll will cover the new area. But will it last a few months? That stuff isn't really meant to be left exposed to Sunlight and tends to degrade and shred. I'm not really sure what people use on home brew greenhouses. I'm not concerned with snow, since I hope to be able to do metal before then. I just want to keep rain off so the dirt floor will remain more dry.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Ckeck the metal roofing supplier. They have "synthetic underlayment" that can be left exposed to the elements for extended periods. I have recently used it on a project myself, that was exposed to rain / snow for about 2 months before I could get the metal installed. No leaks whatsoever, didn't rip off in the wind, held up great! Didn't cost much more tham regular tar paper. There are different "grades", make sure you get the better one. Hope this helps.

 

[EddieWalker]

...I'm considering using clear plastic sheeting temporarily, maybe for a few months. A 10' wide x 50' long roll will cover the new area. But will it last a few months?

I've found that the thickest stuff they sell at Home Depot and Lowes will last a year, and then it dissolves.

 

[radios1]

I've found that the thickest stuff they sell at Home Depot and Lowes will last a year, and then it dissolves.

yep!. EPDM pond liner is cheap, and will last decades.. it's used for flat roofs, but I've found that sold as a pond liner, it's cheaper, you MIGHT be able to get it cheaper from a roofing supplier depending on your area!..

 

[3Ts]

Also, check out Ice & Water shield - it's available thru roofing supplies and Home Depot and Lowe's. It's a self adhesive membrane that will resist some wind without any additional fasteners and will seal around any punctures like nails. It does need a sheathing to attach to like tar paper, but it also costs about 4x tar paper.

 

[3Ts]

EPDM pond liner is cheap, and will last decades.. it's used for flat roofs, but I've found that sold as a pond liner, it's cheaper, you MIGHT be able to get it cheaper from a roofing supplier depending on your area!

If you plan to use it for a pond with fish, i'd get the actual pond liner. I think, that the roofing EPDM has an additional ingredient to resist sunlight and is bad for fish.

 

[Diggin It]

I think I have enough of the 4 mil clear plastic sheeting, so I may try that initially at least.

 

[4570Man]

Tyvek or equivalent house wrap isn’t terribly expensive. I’ve seen it left on other people’s un finished construction projects for years. If you had tar paper secured good so the wind doesn’t rip it I think it would last a while. Nothing is invisible to sunlight. Rubber roof is usually covered with gravel to maximize life.

 

[radios1]

If you plan to use it for a pond with fish, i'd get the actual pond liner. I think, that the roofing EPDM has an additional ingredient to resist sunlight and is bad for fish.

NOPE!. it's the same thing!.. they both have to resist UV..

 

[Diggin It]

Lumber prices done went plumb stupid.

A few weeks back, I was quoted $21.00 each with free delivery for 2 x 6 x 26 boards. I went to order some today, only to find out they're now $31.00 each. A different yard quotes $26 each board plus a delivery charge.

I'm considering going with shorter boards and truss plates; possibly steel or maybe plywood triangles. But there is a question of strength. I can get a 10' and a 16' for example, or a 12' and a 14' to make the 26' length. I could even get a combination of those and alternate them so the splices are staggered. Pricing that way is less than a solid 26' board and I can pick them up myself with my trailer instead of having them delivered. Considering that I'll be stick building the truss webs, will any of this matter or cause weaknesses? Maybe even be better due to less chance of warping?

Then there is the question of grade. For my shed, does it really matter if they're #1 or #2 or a different species? How much change is there in strength and stability?