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How to Build a Shed Roof (Gable and Lean-To)
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Gable roof with site-built trusses
The Home Depot guide builds an 8x12 shed with a gable roof using trusses made on site.
- Build the trusses. Each has two rafters (top chords) meeting at the peak and a bottom chord across them, forming a triangle. Every truss must have exactly the same measurements.
- Join with gussets. Home Depot uses 1/2-inch plywood gussets cut 8 inches by 14 inches at each joint. Interior trusses get gussets on both sides; the two end trusses get them on one side only, because the other side is covered with siding.
- Raise and fasten. Toenail the trusses to the top plates of the front and back walls at the spacing in your plans.
- Sheathe. Start at the lower corner of one side and run plywood across the rafters, staggering joints, nailed with 8d ring-shank nails.
Lean-to roof
On the 10x12 lean-to from Fix This Build That, the builder cut 2x6 rafters at a 2:12 pitch with a bird's mouth notch so each rafter sits solidly on the top plate, spaced 24 inches on center. Roof sheathing was Georgia-Pacific ForceField OSB, which has a built-in weather barrier, with drip edge installed from the back forward and seams taped with flashing tape.
Roofing it (3-tab asphalt shingles)
- Install fascia trim along the eaves and gable ends.
- Install aluminum drip edge, nailing with 1 1/4-inch plastic cap roofing nails. Overlap long runs 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Home Depot holds it about a half-inch down from a chalk line to leave a gap that keeps water from sneaking behind the fascia.
- Roll out 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt, nailed with plastic cap roofing nails.
- Snap chalk lines to lay out shingle courses. Start with a starter course made by cutting the tabs off a shingle.
- Work up to the ridge, offsetting each row 6 inches from the one below.
- Cut shingles into individual tabs and fold them over the ridge.
Family Handyman's editors also advise building overhangs: they look better and protect siding and doors.
What will your shed cost?
Our free calculator compares building it yourself, buying a kit and hiring a builder for your exact size.
Open the shed cost calculatorCommon questions
What is the easiest shed roof to build?
A lean-to (single-slope) roof, which needs no ridge board or trusses. Our lean-to guide has an example with 2x6 rafters at a 2:12 pitch.
How far apart should shed trusses or rafters be?
Follow your plans. Home Depot's 8x12 gable shed uses site-built trusses spaced 24 inches on center (it also mentions 16 or 24 inches depending on the plan). The lean-to example on Fix This Build That uses rafters 24 inches on center.
Do I need drip edge and felt?
Home Depot's guide installs aluminum drip edge, then 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt, then shingles. Follow the shingle manufacturer's instructions.
Don't design it from scratch
A good set of plans gives you a cut list, a materials list and drawings for every step, which saves money on wasted lumber and time on head-scratching. See our guide to choosing shed plans, free and paid.
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