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How to replace my shed roof?

frumbert
Just Starting Out

How to replace my shed roof?

I have a 50+ year old shed that's a tin box. It's 10' by 20' by 7.2' high (sorry for the imperial, but the dimensions suddenly made sense when I switched measurements). It's hardwood framed, corrugated iron with a flat roof. It's rusted and getting pretty leaky and all my stuff is getting ruined. I want to fix that.

 

I'm not much of a builder, but I also can't afford a proper builder/roofer, or find one who isn't booked up for the next 12 months. So I'm looking for something I can achieve myself, and advice.

 

The corro iron roof is pretty much buggered and suffers from condensation. It couldn't have more than a couple of degree of drop on it and the eaves are a maximum of 6" so when it's bucketting down the rain still just creeps back under via capillary action. There's no gutters. The beams are all super tough - can't put a nail in them, and it's broken a couple of drill bits trying to affix lights. Structurally, it's a brick.

 

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The lengthways boards that the roof is nailed on to are not hardwood and are super rotten and need to go. The thick beams that these boards are on are the hardwood and are in great condition.

 

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I'd like a bit more headroom at least to store all the posts and bits and bobs and thought a shallow triangle shape would be the go.

 

The wall beams are all hardwood and are in pretty good nick. The bottom rail doesn't touch the concrete at all (there's a gap) and the corner posts are all solid. So I'm pretty sure it would hold the extra weight of a peaked roof.

 

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What are my options for the roof? I was thinking of framing up some trusses out of structural pine. How do I 'connect' them to the framing as it is shown in the pictures?

 

Should I use just colourbond or zincalume on the roof, or that interlocking stuff they use on deck roofs? Given my budget of next to bugger-all, I'm going to use whatever is cheapest.

 

None of the rest of the shed is insulated at all, and the existing roof has no moisture barrier. Not sure how that all works, and what I googled so far sounded pretty expensive. Any pointers to how to not create an oven would be welcome.

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How to replace my shed roof?

Hello @frumbert 

 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your sheds roofing.

 

Drilling into hardwood is challenging at times, but there are techniques you can try that might work. Have a look at our best advice - How do you drill into hardwood? Perhaps one of the suggested methods will work for you.

 

In regards to your roofing frame, I propose planning it out on paper first so that you can count the number of timber pieces you'll be using to build the roofing frame. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to design the frame in such a way that it will hold standard roofing insultation. This should help ease the heating effect from your roof.

 

Once you've made your plan why not share it with the community members. You can ask questions about your plan and I'm sure our members will be more than happy to provide advice and information.

 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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