| If you don't plan ahead prior to building a shed roof, | | | | The folks at your local lumber yard can cut your roof |
| this important addition to your shed could give you | | | | trusses to size for you. |
| big headaches down the road. Follow these five tips | | | | Installing the trusses is simple. Draw a series of |
| to guarantee your success when topping off your | | | | vertical lines spaced 24-inches on center along the |
| shed. | | | | length of two opposite walls' top plate. Place a roof |
| Start with a good set of plans | | | | truss on the first two opposing marks and nail it into |
| Before you start construction on your storage shed, | | | | place. Then repeat this process for each remaining |
| you need an excellent set of storage shed building | | | | truss. |
| plans to guide you each step of the way. | | | | Most roof designs advise that you use 5/8-inch-thick |
| I went to the Internet and got an excellent set of | | | | plywood decking to create your roof and to support |
| storage shed building plans for a shed design that | | | | anticipated loads. |
| suited my needs just right. I'm certainly glad I did. | | | | Don't try to install your roof decking on a windy day. |
| Besides saving me money, time and aggravation, the | | | | A large sheet of plywood could catch the wind and |
| plans -- plus the instructions and materials list that | | | | push you off your ladder or the roof itself. Actually, |
| came with them -- guided me through the project. | | | | it's a good idea to get help handling decking material |
| Use a design that meets local building codes | | | | as well as large roof trusses. |
| When you buy a set of shed plans, make sure the | | | | Make sure your roof remains waterproof |
| roof construction detailed in those plans measures up | | | | After installing the decking, cover it with 15-30-pound |
| to your local building codes. | | | | roofing felt (tar paper). The felt provides a |
| Build a roof that will withstand stress and weather | | | | waterproof barrier between the decking and your |
| Base your shed roof design on the stresses and | | | | primary roofing material, which would be shingles for |
| demands your roof must overcome. For example, | | | | a sloped roof. |
| your intended roof would have to support huge loads | | | | Put down the felt immediately after you install the |
| in the winter if you live in an area that receives a | | | | decking to protect the plywood from the weather. If |
| considerable amount of snowfall. Therefore, build a | | | | the plywood does get wet, allow it to dry for a |
| structure strong enough to protect your shed's | | | | couple of days before applying the felt. You don't |
| contents and last for a long time. | | | | want to trap moisture that may cause damage to |
| Also, if you live in an area where it snows quite a bit, | | | | the sheathing. |
| pitch your roof as steep as possible so the snow will | | | | It's best to go with at least a 20-year shingle in a |
| slide off. Accumulated snow can add a tremendous | | | | color that matches your home's roof. Not only is a |
| amount of weight to the roof. It can also cause ice | | | | harmonious color most pleasing, matching colors may |
| to back up under the shingles and create leaks. | | | | be a building code or homeowners' association |
| Install trusses and decking that provide ample | | | | requirement. Always find out first before you start |
| support | | | | laying down shingles. |