Roof for Chicken Coop: Essential Tips for a Secure and Weatherproof Shelter
If you have a chicken coop at home or at your business, it’s essential you take the proper steps to keep it protected.
If you leave it vulnerable to the weather elements or for potential predators, you could find your chickens escape, become injured, or worse.
Not only is this distressing for all involved but it also can be costly. To avoid this, it’s better to protect your chicken coop up front from any potential damages.
Here we take a look at some of the best roofing options for chicken coops, top tips, and a step-by-step guide on how to roof your coop.
Affordable Roofing Options for Chicken Coops
There are a plethora of options when it comes to the roof options for your chicken coop and you need to weigh up what is best for your own circumstances.
Different materials offer different benefits and some are more affordable than others. Some of the main materials to choose includes:
Corrugated metal sheets
Corrugated metal sheets are a popular choice when it comes to affordable roofing options for chicken coops due to their durability and their low price point.
When installing, consider things such as adding insulation beneath the sheets to prevent overheating, adding proper ventilation for fresh air to enter, and also take note it can be loud during heavy rain or hail.
This type of roof is low maintenance to keep, but do regularly check for signs of wear and tear to address them before they escalate into something costly.
PVC panels
PVC panels are another favored option and have many benefits.
The main pros for this choice is that they’re affordable, widely available, low maintenance and fare well in different weathers.
Negatives can include that they might not be the best for proofing against predators and if there are strong winds, there’s a chance they might get blown away.
If you do opt for PVC, it’s a good idea to nail them down to a plywood base for additional protection.
Shingle
Shingle is one of the most durable and widely available choices for a chicken coop roof, yet due to it being harder to install it isn’t necessarily as widespread. Shingle can also be expensive and as such makes it not such an affordable option.
These are points to weigh up when making your decision.
Onduline sheets
This chicken coop roof option is made from bitumen-saturated organic fibers and is often picked for being lightweight, waterproof, and affordable.
As well as this, they are easy to install and provide food insulation for the chickens, ensuring their wellbeing is taken care of.
You need to ensure your chickens don’t get too cold or too warm and this choice is good for ensuring just that.
Thatch roof
People often choose thatch roofs for their chicken coop if they’re looking for something cheap and that adds a certain aesthetic. Made from dried straw or reeds, it’s easy to come across, costs hardly anything to purchase and is simple to assemble.
A downside to this material choice is that it’s not as hard-wearing as other alternatives and can require more regular maintenance.
Wood
There’s a reason wood has been used in building work for years and that’s because it’s hard-wearing and relatively inexpensive.
This is particularly true if you happen to have it lying around, for example in the form of old wooden doors, from old pieces of furniture or if you live in a forested area.
Certain woods like cedar, redwood and cypress are more hard-wearing and therefore the best options, but others do work too.
Plywood is another great pick when looking to save costs and it can easily be cut to the correct size.
Top Tips for Choosing the Best Roof for Your Chicken Coop
The roof you choose from your chicken coop needs to be the right one. You want your chickens to be safe and comfortable and for you not to keep repairing it or spending more money.
Some things you need to consider when selecting your roof include:
What the weather conditions are where you live - Do you experience very hot temperatures? Or lots of wind and rain? The material you pick needs to be able to withstand these conditions.
How much you want to spend - Different roof materials have different budgets and you need to factor this in. Also consider the size of your coop as you will need more materials the larger it is.
How comfortable it will be for the chickens - When choosing the roof you need to think about your chickens comfort. Consider if you need to add insulation, for example if you are in a colder climate, and how you will ventilate the coop. Good air flow is essential to keep them in good health and protect them from the weather.
How easy it is to install - Some roofs are easier to install than others and you want to pick one that you’re either happy to install yourself or that you’re happy to have someone else install for you.
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Advantages of Metal Roofing for Chicken Coops
When it comes to a stand-out material for chicken coops, metal roofing trumps time and time again. Some of the key advantages include:
It’s durable and made to last
One of the main benefits of a metal roof on a chicken coop is that it’s a highly durable material with a long lifespan.
Compared to other materials it’s excellent at withstanding harsh weather conditions such as hail, snow, rain, wind and strong sunlight.
It won’t discolor from UV rays and sun and snow will slide off rather than being absorbed.
It’s low maintenance
Due to its high durability, metal chicken coop roofs don’t need regular maintenance to keep them in good condition.
Being less susceptible to damage, they won’t need repairing as often, or require as much cleaning. This saves time, effort and money in both the short and long term.
It’s ideal for keeping predators out
One of the main things you want from a chicken coop is to keep predators such as foxes, dogs and raccoons at bay.
Metal roofs are hard to breakdown unlike those made from straw or wood and as such make it much more difficult for predators to break in.
This can keep your chickens safe from harm's way and also prevent smaller rodents such as mice or insects from finding shelter inside.
It’s easy to install and maintain
Metal chicken coop roofs are known for their ease of installation meaning you save time initially and if it needs to be replaced or renovated further down the line.
You can often order the metal panels cut to size and they can easily be placed on by yourself should you choose to do it, or by a professional.
It’s a more environmentally friendly option
It’s always good to focus on sustainability and metal is much better for the environment compared to other materials.
With such a long lifespan they don’t need to be replaced often, and when they do, the old metal can be recycled and turned into something new.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Roof Your Chicken Coop
When it comes to roofing your chicken coop, there are several steps you need to take.
Step 1 - Gather your tools
Prior to starting building your chicken coop you want to gather your materials.
This should include your metal roof panels, screws or nails, a screwdriver and nails, underlay if you wish to lay this, the ridge cap, safety equipment, a ladder, roofing sealant and measuring tape.
Step 2 - Measure the dimensions and make a plan
Once you’ve gathered your tools you need to measure the dimensions of your coop and check it’s stable to work on.
You need to then plan the layout considering what way the water would run when it rains and where you want your vents to be.
Step 3 - Install your panels
The next step is to install your panels.
Firstly you should install the underlay if this is something you’re choosing to have, then position the first metal roof panel.
Align it with the edge of the roof and use nails to attach it, repeating the process panel by panel. As you overlay the panels ensure the edges of each one is overlapping to secure them.
Step 4 - Trim the panels and install a ridge cap (to keep them in place)
Once all the panels are placed, you need to use metal shears to trim them to the exact fit then a ridge cap added along the peak.
This helps secure the roof and provide more enhanced protection against any leaks.
Step 5 - Check it’s safe
The final step in the process is to do thorough checks to ensure it’s all safe and fastened securely.
You could apply sealant for additional waterproofing and protection against the elements. Clear away any debris safely and make sure your tools are all cleared up too.
Cost-Effective Ways to Roof a Chicken Coop
When you’re trying to roof a chicken coop and find a cost-effective solution, there are a few different things you can do.
Opt for metal roofing
Metal roofing, as stated above, is one of the most popular choices for a chicken coop and is a great way to save costs. Opt for corrugated panels for an even longer lifespan.
Look for recycled materials
Recycled materials tend to be cheaper than brand new and can be relatively easy to come by.
Speak to local companies who get rid of offcuts of metal, or head to recycling centres who could give you metal for a fraction of the price.
Put the roof on yourself
Doing it yourself can save a lot of money over getting a professional to put the roof on your chicken coop.
If you have basic carpentry skills, do some additional research and find out how to make your own chicken coop roof.
Ensure you use high quality materials and follow safety protocols to create a roof that is made to last and ensures you don’t get hurt.
Choose a basic design
When it comes to a chicken coop roof, you can opt for something complex or more simple.
The simpler you go for, without any additional features or complex angles, the cheaper the design will be and easier it will be to find materials that fit to create the roof.
Look out for discounts and sales on materials
If you’re not in a rush, it’s a good idea to look for discounts and sales on materials.
Visit local hardware stores and buy materials when they’re on sale to save you money when you need to use them.
You can also create alerts online to let you know when items go on sale.
Corrugated vs. Flat Roof: Which is Best for Your Chicken Coop?
One of the main decisions you need to make when choosing your roof is whether you opt for corrugated or flat.
Corrugated are designed to channel water away thus reducing the leak risk, are durable, affordable and easy to install. They can create more noise and might not have the same aesthetic appeal as other roofs.
On the other hand, flat roofs are easy to install, have a sleek and modern look and generate minimal noise.
They can however, be more prone to leaks and harder to maintain.
Creating a Functional and Stylish Chicken Coop Roof
Creating a chicken coop roof that is functional and stylish doesn’t need to be difficult.
Once you’ve sorted the practical elements, consider additions like a trim and detailing, the roof pitch and the trim and details which add style.
You could find a color palette that suits your taste and think about the pitch of the roof as this can add a traditional or modern feel depending on how steep it is.
You also want to think about the material you choose and how easy it is to keep clean and maintain.
To find out more about cheap roofing for chicken coop, the best roof for chicken coop and the cheapest way to roof a chicken coop get in touch.
We'd love to hear from you.
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