Choosing Your Storage Shed Roof

Your storage shed roof is vital to the final look of your shed, but it also can add to the amount of accessible storage space you have. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing the best roof for you.

• Do you want to try to match the roofline of your home? By matching the roof style, your shed will blend in with your home.

• Think about the climate where you live when choosing your roof. Steeper roofs keep snow from accumulating in snowy climates. Roofs with deep overhangs can partly shield windows, keeping the inside of sheds in hot climates cooler.

• What about gutters and downspouts? Most of the time, sheds don't need gutters and downspouts, but if your does, take this into consideration when choosing your storage shed roof.

• Do you have tall items to store? If so, a taller gable roof will work better than a flat roof.

Types of Shed Roofs

The most common types of roofs include:

• Flat Roofs - Flat roofs are the most simple to install, but are less stylish than storage shed roofs with peaks. Flat roofs sometimes have drainage problems.

• Gable (or Pitched) Roofs - Gable roofs are two-sided sloping roofs that meet in the center at the top. Gable roofs make a peak with two triangular areas taking up the space in between the two slopes.

• Gambrel Roofs - A gambrel roof, common to many barns, is a two-sided roof with a double slope on each side. The lower slope is steeper. Just like with a gable roof, the tw

triangular sections take up the space in between the slopes.

• Hipped Roofs - Similar to the shape of a pyramid, a hipped roof has four sides that slope down flat from one center point.

• Saltbox Roofs - A saltbox roof is also similar to a gable roof. One side of the roof pitch is long and flat with the other side being short and more steep. The triangular sections in between the slopes follow the shape of the peak.

Storage Shed Roof Materials

When choosing the material for your roof, you want it to be durable and long lasting so it will protect your valuables for many years to come. Common materials include:

• Asphalt Shingles - Asphalt shingles are commonly used on residential home roofs, so they make a perfect choice for a storage shed roof if you want your shed to blend and already have asphalt shingles on the roof of your home. Asphalt shingles are simple to install, long lasting, weatherproof, and durable.

• Clay and Concrete Tiles - Whether your choose clay or concrete, these tiles make an attractive, long lasting, weatherproof, and durable choice. Most of the people who choose clay and concrete tiles already have them installed on the roof of their home.

• Felt - When using felt, nail it directly to the wood sheathing on flat roofs only. Make sure you choose felt with a preservative coating. While felt is the least expensive and simplest to install, it is not as stylish as other materials.

• Metal - Some people love the sound of rain on a metal roof and others don't enjoy the noise, so keep noise in mind when choosing metal for your storage shed roof. Metal roofs are a logical choice if you aren't bothered by the noise because they are inexpensive, simple to install, attractive, lightweight, water tight, rot-resistant, insect-resistant, and fire resistant. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions so you don't have trouble with rust down the road.

• Slate Tiles - Slate is expensive and takes considerable effort to install, but they make a hardwearing, long lasting, attractive, waterproof, and durable roofing choice.

• Wood Shakes and Wood Shingles - Made from either cedar or pine, wood shakes (rough cut wood) or wood shingles (smooth cut wood) are one of the most attractive roofing choices. They are long lasting and durable. However, they are an expensive choice.

Want more ideas for your storage shed roof? Check out the free resources available at http://www.buildashedplans.com