Farm Shed Roofline Options – TechSpan Building Systems

Are you considering building a new farm shed? One of the earliest decisions you’ll need to consider is what roofline best suits your needs. There are several roofline options, and each works best for specific applications. We’ll go over each of the main roof pitch options with some information on each, to help you decide.

Standard Gable Roof

Probably the most common roof shape, a standard gable roof has two slopes that meet at a raised centre peak.

A gable roof helps to keep the inside of the shed cooler, by allowing hot air to rise to the centre space. It’s also an excellent roofline to choose if you want to add ridge vents, as it can create a convection effect, drawing fresh air in from the sides as the warmer air escapes through the ridge vents. The rain can run off to gutters on both sides of the structure. However, this may not be the best roofline option for your shed if you are in a high-wind location.

Steep Pitch Gable Roof

A steep pitch gable is essentially the same as the gable roof, but the two slopes are on a steeper angle. This is a good option for grain sheds to maximise the stacking height available. Even more so than a standard gable roof, this design may not be suitable for high-wind locations. A steep pitch gable roof might also be a good option for you if you are in an area with high snowfall or a snow loading requirement as the steep pitch allows snow to run off quickly.

Skillion or Single Pitch Roof

A skillion roof is one without a centre peak and with a single slope. This roofline is a pretty common choice for farm sheds, as well as sheds in industrial areas.

It can create a modern, sleek look, while also having some practical benefits. With a single slope, the rain only runs off one side of your shed, which means less guttering & downpipes. It’s also a good option if you’re considering adding solar panels to your shed. But, unlike the gable roof options, a skillion or single pitch roof has less of a convection effect and has no space for ridgeline vents to help regulate airflow and temperature.

Curved Roof

A curved roof might be a good option if you’re looking for something that has a significant visual impact. While we most commonly see these used in industrial projects and school COLAs, they are a possibility for any highly-visible shed.

Essential Considerations When Choosing a Roof Option

So, how do you choose the roof shape that best suits your farm shed? There are five key considerations to keep in mind when trying to determine which is best for your application and location.

Wind Speed

Steep pitches and high winds aren’t the best combination. If you’re building your shed in a high-wind area, a steep roof will require more structural support and reinforcement to withstand those winds. Our expert design consultants can help you establish which wind rating zone your shed will be located in, and the best roofline and structure for that location.

Rain & Run-Off

The angle of your roof will affect how quickly any rain runs off, and the direction the run-off goes. If you’re in an area that experiences frequent heavy rain, you might need a slightly steeper pitch to handle the rainfall. If you’re hoping to capture that rainfall into a rainwater tank, you’ll also want to consider the best way to do that. A skillion roof might be a good option, as only one side will require guttering and downpipes. It’s also worth checking in whether you may need to meet snow load requirements in your location as well.

Interior Height

If you need a little extra interior height for taller machinery or storage space, make sure you consider that when determining the roofline for your shed. A gable roof will give you more height in the centre of your shed, whereas a single-pitch roof will provide you with extra height on one side, and a little less height on the other. The extra height on one side of a skillion roof might be useful if you’re planning on emptying a tipper of grain into the shed, but the centre height paired with ridge vents might be a lifesaver for a stockyard cover in a hot climate.

Ventilation

Depending on how you plan to use your shed, and it’s location, ventilation is a factor to consider when determining the best roofline for your needs. A gable roof will allow for ridge vents creating plenty of ventilation, while a single pitch roof might require ‘whirlybird’ ventilation to ensure there is enough airflow. Our team can help you decide which option will work best in your location for your requirements.

Aesthetics

Last (but not least) is deciding how you want your shed to look. If your shed is in a particularly visible location, you might want a little something to make it look more professional. Our expert team of design consultants can help you develop a shed design that not only works well for your needs but looks great too.