FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Roof addition to shed with gambrel roof

Danno | Posted in General Discussion on August 11, 2008 04:08am

My church is involved with adding onto a storage shed that is in the back of a homeless shelter. Existing shed has a gambrel roof with ridge running parallel to the addition. The old structure is 14′ wide by 18′ long. Additon is full length of old building and adds ten feet. I think roof on addition should be a gambrel, with new ridge centered on total sructure width (24 feet). This would entail extending top of existing gambrel roof toward the addition by about five feet. I then propose doing mirror image of that roof to make the new half of the roof. Then the whole roof will still be a gambrel, but the top two slopes (the shallow slopes that come off the ridge) will be deeper than the lower, steeper slopes, but the whole roof will be symetrical.

Sorry, I cannot do photos or drawings.

The guy who is in charge wants to just build a new shed roof in one slope (slightly less than 4/12) from the outer wall of the addition up to the existing top ridge . I think this will look bad.

I also propose keeping the old roof and framing over it and using gussets where the slope changes, and at ridge. They are proposing stripping off old roof to expose rafters and tying into those, as well as building knee walls to support where slopes change (making structural ridge(es). I think with a crew that is here today, gone tomorrow and with all the storms we’ve been having, leaving the old roof on as much and as long as possible is a better way. Existing building is used to store and sell used clothing.

Is there something I’m missing? We are using old, recycled lumber for rafters, but have to get new sheathing and shingles. Labor is free (and worth every penny).

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Jim_Allen | Aug 11, 2008 07:27am | #1

    Heres an elevation view of your proposed addition. I'd probably pass on working on it LOL!

    Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

    Quote of the day: "...can't be done, it will take too long, not enough pipeline capacity, yada yada but yet they don't apply the same skepticism to their own "solutions" such as wind and biofuels"

    1. Danno | Aug 11, 2008 02:55pm | #2

      Thanks for the drawing--that's exactly what they want to do. (Wish I could draw on your drawing!) I want to extend the second slope of the roof on the left side of your drawing until reaches the midpoint of the wall, then build a mirror image of the left roof to make the right side, so I still have a gambrel roof.

      This guy was at least somewhat receptive to my ideas. We din't have a chop saw on site, so I showed the guy how to cut by holding the shoe of the circular saw against a speed square--he was just eyeballing the cuts, which works, but I think a speed square makes it faster. I was handling the sheets of OSB by myself and putting two nails near top to hang (we put OSB on the inside) so I could put the panel up and nail it by myself. Other guys had two men to put the panel up and one held it while the other nailed it. Since we were using old material, none was the 88" length that we needed, so I proposed running the pieces horizontally and they agreed to that. Wish we had a compressor and nail guns! 

      1. Jim_Allen | Aug 11, 2008 05:11pm | #3

        Is your project done or do you still have the opportunity to do it right? You can draw on the picture. Hit cnrl/PrtSC with the picture showing. Open up Paint. Hit ctrl/V. You will then be able to use the Paint program to draw on it. SaveAs the new drawing as a jpg and you can repost it here. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

        Quote of the day: "...can't be done, it will take too long, not enough pipeline capacity, yada yada but yet they don't apply the same skepticism to their own "solutions" such as wind and biofuels"

        1. Danno | Aug 12, 2008 04:23am | #4

          I doubt that it's done--the guy is having trouble getting help and I had to work on my real job today--ripping out T&G oak flooring in a kitchen (which is under the cuboards) and then had linoleum and 1/4" plywood and then vinyl on top. May have missed a layer or two of other sheet goods. My back is sore from running the wrecking bar alll day. (And chiseling out the boards in the toe kick--guy I work with has (had) a nice flush cut power saw, but he broke the drive post today.)

          I couldn't seem to open your drawing to play with it, but I did print it and I'll draw oon it and photogragh it and try to post that! Simple. Welcome to my life.

        2. Danno | Aug 12, 2008 05:17am | #5

          Ever get what oyu want and then not want it--guy called me and said he talked to the other "designer" and that guy said he was thinking the same thing as I had. So we could do it, but then the chief said he had planned for us to frame the new roof as a regular gable roof and run the ridge into the old one at right angles. Well, to my way of thinking, that would be a lot better and easier. Have to strip off old shingles because they are covered with mosas and they're afraid to contaminate things by closing them in the building. So, back to the drawing board--except he already has his plan drawn up.

          Anyway, I did a drawing of my idea on the printout of your drawing and photographed it and it is attached--very blurry, but I'm hoping you can get the idea.

           

          1. Jim_Allen | Aug 12, 2008 05:40am | #6

            I could just barely see what you were doing but I understand. When you are done, it will look like a normal gambrel roof. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

            Quote of the day: "...can't be done, it will take too long, not enough pipeline capacity, yada yada but yet they don't apply the same skepticism to their own "solutions" such as wind and biofuels"

          2. Danno | Aug 13, 2008 03:26am | #7

            Right. Met with the guy today and we agreed to do it his way--new gambrel roof intersecting old at 90 degrees. (Turns out it was another guy's spur of the moment idea to frame the new roof as a shed, because he likes to do things the easy way!)

            Meet at 10 tomorrow to frame a test truss to see if it'll work and so on. Then I go to my "real" (paying) job and touch up paint--why the customer and the "boss" have to paint and then tear up the floor and then tile, is beyond me--sure gives me lots of touch up to do!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business

Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 691: Replacing Vinyl Siding, Sloping Concrete, and Flat vs. Pitched Roofs
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings
  • Preservation and Renewal for a Classic
  • A Postwar Comeback

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data