How to Build a Slanted Shed Roof

Building a slanted shed roof for the shed on your residential property can help you meet your needs for greater space. This is an easy project you can undertake without hiring a professional. A slanted shed roof can be built only if one of the walls of the shed stands taller than the opposite one. There are two ways to make the requisite changes when the walls are of equal height. Either one can raise the level of an existing wall by installing additional layers of plates to it, or one can choose to build a frame for the wall separately and then install this on top of the wall. Once the levels of the two walls have been made uneven to the desired degree, you can build a slanted roof to fit them.

Building a Slanted Shed Roof

Step 1: Measuring the Shed Span

The span of the shed has to be measured accurately. The necessary length of the common rafters can be determined only after the shed span has been noted because their length is derived from taking the total span of the shed and subtracting the thickness of one wall from the number.

Step 2: Measuring the Rise of the Slanted Roof

The rise of the roof is the measurement of the degree of increase in the roof per 1 foot. This is measured in inches. To measure the rise of the roof, take the difference in lengths of the two walls. Once you have this figure, add to it the depth of the common rafter and subtract from this number the value of the seat cut. This figure should be noted in inches and then multiplied by the length of the run (noted in feet). Once you have this figure, divide it by 12. The number that you now obtain is the measurement of the common rafter needed for spanning an external wall and reaching the inner side of the opposite wall.

Step 3: Common Rafter Seats

Note down dimensions for common rafter seats and begin cutting. The seat cuts are for placing the common rafters on the wall plates. The measurements have to be noted, marked and transferred using a carpenter’s square, measuring tape and pencil. Use a handbook to guide you through the marking and cutting process.

Step 4: The Other Seat Cut

Make the cuts for the other seat cut. Noting the distance from the heel plumb line, take down the dimensions of the entire run of the common rafter. Take the carpenter’s square and repeat the process in the above step. Once you are through, the two seat cuts will lie facing the same side.

Step 5: Final Touches

Use the saw on the rafters that remain and then arrange them out properly and use nails to bind them together. If needed, fillers and block stiffeners can also be used. Use chalk to mark the boundaries of the overhangs as desired. The sliding T bevel is to be used for denoting the outer edge. Take the fascia rafters and fascia board and put them into place on the opposite end. Experts advise using lookouts with ladder framing to go along with fascia rafters. Once the slant roof has been put in, finish the layout work and then nail the plywood into place.