Building a Shed.... Ugh

[senghing27]

Well. My mom had her co-worker's friends build a shed in the backyard. Problem is, well they are shady as hell, and did a half *** job. So now theres the roof that is missing, and it looks like me and some people need to finish it.

Problem is... How?

Thats where the collective thinking of AO comes in.

I mean with everyone being engineers here, an explanation wouldn't be so hard to come by.


Anyways...

First pic:
Shed from far away.


Front Pic


Side pic


Pics of where the roof needs to go...





Now, in my yard there are like 2 huge pieces of plywood, a good amount of 2x4's, and random assortment of lumber.

What would be the quickest, easiest, and most safe method for me getting a roof on?

Thanks so much

[Sumthinwicked]

call a carpenter or local handyman

[spwz99]

looks to me like they were just planning on laying a flat roof that followed the slope of the side walls. if it were me, i would just run the remaining 2x4's from one wall stud to the wall stud across from it (assuming they are a consistent center distance ) and lay the plywood for a roof with the long seams perpendicular to the roof 2x4's. as far as running the 2x4's side to side or front to back, you will have to measure the building and the plywood and decide for yourself which will fit best.

[Dend78]

yup flat roof following the natural slope they have going with 6" overhang on each side

[Tac-OneFun]

yeah seems like a flat roof... but those non-straight cuts at the top of the walls aren't going to help at all...

[Dend78]

you know i was gonna slam on those in my first post but decided not to.


this may help a bit




i didnt have dimensions but i think you can get the idea

[senghing27]

I am totally going to film me putting this roof on....

Somehow i will fail...

[behemoth]

I am totally going to film me putting this roof on....

Somehow i will fail...

If there is beer, help will be near!

[Tac-OneFun]

yes, beer and power tools... DEFINITELY film that.

[skife]

start over.

if the top looks that shaddy, the rest of it can't be much safer.

they should have gotten one of those aluminum shed kits.

[silentdeath55]

For the record, engineers are definitely not carpenters! Every once and a while you'll get a carpenter who happens to be an engineer or vice versa.

anyways...

If you decide to use what they built, start by putting a top plate on. A top plate is a 2x6/2x4 in your case that runs on the top of wall studs. I would find it hard to believe that their studs are 16" on center seeing as they didn't put a top plate on already. Even after doing this, their wall sheathing is cut horribly crooked; therefore, you'll probably need to either patch that from the inside or run some kind of molding all the way around the outside top edge once the roof is on to cover the large gap that will be there.

To build the roof I would start by running 2x4's or even better, 2x6's standing on edge (tall) from corner to corner and notch the center where the two meet (cut halfway into each board where they overlap and they will slide flush together). If you want to get even fancier, you can even notch where the 2x6 meets the corner of the wall. That would make an even stronger bond between the roof and wall. Remember to cut them about 12" long for your 6" overhang. Secure each corner with some blocking or stop by Home Depot and pick up some hurricane clips or L brackets in the lumber department. Next I would run another 2x6 along the sides to close up the "X" you just built. Doing this, you would create a strong frame to then be sheeted (5/8 or 3/4" OSB w/ 15lb. tar paper and shingles would look nice) for the roof.

I think I explained this pretty well, but if you have any question I would be glad to help, just shoot me a PM or post here. If I live near you I'd even stop by and give you a hand.

[PumpPlayer]

Is it bad that I busted up laughing at those pictures?


For the record, I'm an engineer so don't be hatin'.
But yes, I know plenty of engineers who can't swing a hammer...


That's beside the point, though.

Personally, I'd cap the walls as best I could and get some legitimate corner braces on there to finish up the structure. Then I'd just get a few pieces of translucent corrugated vinyl and tack it in place as a roof. Do you get much/any snow where you are? If not then you're good to go.

[y0da900]

For the record, engineers are definitely not carpenters! Every once and a while you'll get a carpenter who happens to be an engineer or vice versa.

I second the motion. I'm an engineer, thankfully I grew up with a dad who did construction a good chunk of his life, and have had hands on carpentry fun with him. I also know a good chunk of engineers who would give a roof a random *** pitch to make a building a certain height, disregarding the fact that they are calling out angles to be cut with a chopsaw in minute of angle accuracy.*



















This actually came up at work today with the intern architect, who had something shown with a 9 3/8 : 12 pitch. A contractor would slap her silly for that. So it isn't just engineers.

[behemoth]

Is it bad that I busted up laughing at those pictures?


For the record, I'm an engineer so don't be hatin'.
But yes, I know plenty of engineers who can't swing a hammer...


That's beside the point, though.

Personally, I'd cap the walls as best I could and get some legitimate corner braces on there to finish up the structure. Then I'd just get a few pieces of translucent corrugated vinyl and tack it in place as a roof. Do you get much/any snow where you are? If not then you're good to go.

He's a little east of cleveland.

Right on the lake.

Lake effect snow anyone?

David, i'll help you, you got all the 2x4's plywood, etc etc?

[senghing27]

yeah man...

Anyways, I did some of this with a old friend of my moms... Like actual friend, not some shady hobo....

I added some 2x4s to the top.