Painted plywood as roof?

[BobcatKen]

I'm in the planning stages for building a small coop. The roof could be covered by a plywood sheet that is 4'x8'. If I just painted it, would that be enough to handle the rain and sun? We have mild weather here in northern California so I don't need to be concerned about snow. The roof would have a slight pitch so that rainwater shouldn't puddle on top. I've never shingled anything and I don't know if it's necessary to bother with learning about it for such a small project. Thanks in advance.

 

[jenifry]

I would recommend a sheet of tin or shingle of some sort on it. Rain is really hard on plywood, even if it's painted. If you don't want to be re-roofing it anually, or more often, the tin is worth the money. You could watch craigs-list or the local paper, usually you can find something inexpensive.

 

[RaspyRoosterFarms]

Painting it would make it last a little while longer, but it will eventually leak and rot. If you weren't wanting to put a whole lot into it, you could just cover the plywood with a tarp and nail it in under the edges. That way the plywood would keep the tarp from sagging and the tarp keep your plywood dry. I go with the heavy duty type tarp though, I know they come in 4x8 size.

 

[oldcluck]

If you want cheap protection from the elements for your roof. buy a roll of asphalt saturated felt or what we used to refer to as tar paper. It isn't very expensive and will last a lot longer than painted plywood if nailed down properly. Shingles would be more durable however.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Plywood isn't intended to be left exposed, even painting won't help. Cover it with tin, steel roofing or roll roofing.

 

[Brucepierce]

I just learned to apply shingles last week and found it to be easy and I enjoyed it...I bought a 1/4 square of shingles for $20.00-ish at Lowes and had the job done in no time. I'd do it again.​

 

[chicken pickin]

I agree with also covering the plywood with something other than paint. I did one coop with shingles and I love the look I did the other 2 with ice and water shield not as pretty but its protecting the roofs. If your gonna put time and money into chicken owning and time and money into building a coop. Id spend the little extra time and money to protect the roof. Otherwise your coop may not be in good shape next year. Just my 2 sense and what I live by, If your gonna do something do it right the first time.

 

[BobcatKen]

Thanks for the info everybody! I appreciate the responses.

 

[oldrooster]

Instead of plywood, depending on how hot it got it gets there of a summer I'd try to put up fiberglass pannels or if it gets hot there then a tin roof with a light color of paint on it, fiberglass lets in natural light.

 

[debid]

I'd definitely consider alternatives like corrugated roofing panels. Just be careful that you don't create an oven rather than a coop. The most important things where you live are heaps and heaps of ventilation and overhead cover for the rainy winter months.