coop roof - gable versus lean to shed

[buddymc]

Getting ready to build my first coop. Wondering a couple of things....

1.) Anyone know of any pros / cons of a gabled or barn type roof versus a lean to shed type roof?
2.) Is corrugated metal okay for the roof or does it get to hot? I'm in Georgia.
3.) Windows - should I put a UV film over the glass or something to help control heat but still let light in??

Thanks!

 

[Royd]

There are definately advantages to a gable roof, especially with today's lumber. Also, you can provide head space, for roosting or storage.

Regardless of which you choose, learning to cut a proper birdsmouth, makes for a better built structure. I'm sure there's a tutorial on Youtube U.

 

[Barbara Kolohe]

Aloha Buddy. I live in Hawaii, Big Island and it rains here, constantly in my area. We made use of that fact and did an extended lean to. More roof in one direction means more water. If your chickens are really close to the house, you dont have to worry about that, but, if you are going to have to run water any distance, rain is your friend. Oh, it may be your friend anyway if you have that thing called a water bill, lol. The only corrugated stuff we have here is rubbery or the plastic. I went with mostly green plastic (opaque) and one frosted to give the chickens a sun roof. Mine are free range now for the most part and dont spend much time in the coop anymore. I did try some tin roof remnants I got from a place that redid their roof and it got VERY hot and leaked here and there. I didnt like it at all, and the only thing you can really use to seal the leaks is not good for your chickens.

 

[Badbaby05]

Insulate the metal to keep heat down in the summer, angle the lean to (if you decide to use it) away from run and doors. As for the windows anything you can do to keep the sun/heat at bay the better especially where you live. Also look for climate type birds, some handle heat much better than others.

 

[elmo]

I think a simple shed roof is better. It's easier to build, and it gives you more area for optimal ventilation: you can construct a vent the whole width of the wall up at the top of the higher side, as well as another one the whole width of the lower wall. This gives you nice cross ventilation when you want it, and you can just close off the lower vent in the winter, leaving the upper one open.

I have a coop with a simple shed roof and we love it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=32217-the-just-right-coop

Is your coop going to be sited where it's in the summer sun? Try to avoid this if you can, no matter what you use on the roof. Pick a place that gets the most natural shade.
Metal roofs do conduct heat in the summer. I've read about using special paint, or just white paint, to try to mitigate this problem. The other thing I've read about metal roofs is that moisture tends to condense on the underneath of them in the winter, so you might want to think about insulating underneath.

In any event, you're going to want plenty of ventilation for hot summers, with plenty down at roost level. I have awning style windows that don't let rain blow in the coop. I can easily close the windows up for the winter when I don't need this amount of ventilation.

 

[Junkmanme]

I wouldn't think that it would make much difference.

It would seem to me that a "Gable-Style" roof would be preferred, generally, on a longer "span".
(The "Gable-Style" would also take just a little longer to build.)

Storage (above ceiling) can be accomplished with both the Gable-Style AND the "Lean-to Style".
(just accessed from different areas) The "storage" on a lean-to Style would be accessed from the wall on the TALL side.

IF you use a ceiling, it provides a location for a lighting fixture for lengthening days if egg-laying slows down much in Winter.

If the "span" your roof would cover is longer, the "Gable-Style" affords the ability for a more consistent "headroom" in your coop.

I suppose that it mostly depends on the "Style" that fits your design the best.

-Junkmanme-

 

[patandchickens]

Too many variables. In some situations it doesn't really matter much; in some situations one is clearly superior to the other; but it depends on a whole bunch of things we don't know.

So I would say this, I guess: unless you live in an area where high winds or swirling super-cold winter storm winds are a problem, then you know what? Just do whichever one you want. Based on aesthetics, based on which construction you feel more comfortable with, whatever. There will not be THAT much functional difference in most situations.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat