We would love to get a skillion roof to replace our old traditional roof. Our house is 34′ plus 6′ screened porch (so 40′) on the gable side and 36′ in the front of house. Not sure how tall the house is (2 stories).Sometimes I see people in videos on youtube build these roofs with a ridge beam on the high point and rafters sloping down off of it with bird’s mouth resting on top plate of lower point. Other times I have seen pre-fabricated monopitch trusses used which seem more stable. What are your thoughts on that? Would I need trusses that long? (I was thinking of the high point being in front of house) and will I need support beams running horizontally every few feet? How do I do calculations for pitch? I feel like there isn’t much information out there on these types of roofs especially on the East Coast. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. I really don’t know where to start!
Hi Laurie,
Skillion roof is also reffered to as Shed roof – this may help you in your search.
As for your framing question – I’m not a fan of pre-fabbricated trusses at all. They are put together with barbed steel plates that can just come out. Also I think roof trusses/rafters should be heavier than 2×4 typically used in pre-fabed trusses.
I’d recommend an LVL main beam at top/bottom, and 2×10 running across from 1 LVC to another.
You cna calculate lumber / framing costs (material only) with out roof rafters calculator.
For pitch I’d use at least 3/12. You can go lower, but then you can have issues with snow/ice dams if you leave in northern states.
In any case, I’d suggest using aluminum standing seam metal roof – it’s pretty much a permannet lifetime material – install and forget. No maintenance, etc. Something like this – only bigger:
Good luck
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