How to Build a Gable Roof for Your Shed
Building a Shed Gable Roof
Introduction:
Now that you have the walls
up for the storage shed in the backyard it’s time
to build the roof. Building the basic shed was easy
but building the roof is a little more complex.
Building a shed roof is easy enough but if you’re
building a gable end roof it can be a little
daunting. Gabled roof framing really isn’t as
difficult as it may seem. Here are some useful tips
for building a gable roof for your shed.
Tips on How to Build a Gable Roof for Your Shed:
-
The roof rafter for an 8 x 10 foot shed can be made
using standard 2 x 4s. These will be set out at 16
inches apart, on centers. So mark there location
along the top plate on the wall every 16 inches on
center.
-
Cut a ridge board from either a 1 x 6 or a 2 x 6.
Mark the location of the roof rafter on the
ridge board in the same way you did on the wall
plate.
-
Now it’s time to cut the roof rafters. There is a
complicated set of mathematical equations that you
could use or you can do it the easier way. Use a
piece of scrap lumber to set the ridge board in
place directly over the center of the shed at the
height you want the roof to be. The height is the
distance from the center of the shed end wall to
the bottom of the ridge board. You will probably
need to tack a piece of scrap lumber to the wall
frame temporarily to hold the ridge board in place
-
Tack a 2 x 4 on the outside of scrap lumber that is
supporting the ridge board. Let it extend from the
ridge board to the overhang of shed frame wall. Use
a level to mark out the birds mouth cut on the
lower end so that the rafter fits over the wall
plate. Use the level to mark the cut where the
rafter will meet the ridge board.
-
Put the birds mouth cut in place and make sure it
is a good fit. The plumb cut at the ridge board
should fit in place. Cut a pair of these rafters to
make sure they all fit on both sides. Use one as a
template to cut all the remaining rafters. Leave
the extra length at the lowest end of the rafter to
form the overhang. The ends of the rafters will be
cut off in place after all the rafters are
installed.
-
Position the rafters on the 16 inch on center marks
on the top plate and the ridge board. Two people
may be required for this task.
Nail the
rafters in place.
-
Now use the level to mark the desired overhang and
cut them off.
-
Frame in the gable ends starting at the midway
point using 2 X 4s. Install the roof sheathing and
you’re ready for the shingles.
That’s how to build a gable roof for your shed.
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