4 Common Causes of Black Streaks on Your Roof Shingles

How to Build a Lean to Roof

Are you having difficulty trying to figure out how to build a lean-to roof, perhaps for a DIY?

Learning how to do it by yourself can save you from budgeting to securing a contractor. That being said, even though the DIY process can be cheaper for homeowners, hiring a reputable roofing company to do the work is still the best decision. Professional roofing companies know how to tackle all sorts of roofing problems, ranging from big to small.

A lean-to roof is popular for sheds, and many homeowners love it because it helps maximize the space available in a building. The most definitive characteristic of a lean-to roof is that the rafters lean against another building or wall.

Steps On How to Build a Lean-to Roof On An Extension

A lean-to roof is a cheap alternative when looking for a covering structure. Building the lean-to roof for a shed is pretty straightforward. Once you have covered the lean-to plan and design, you can proceed to install it in a step-by-step procedure. 

Let’s review the step-by-step process of how to build a lean-to-roof structure:

Step 1: Mark the Building Area

Part of marking the building area is removing debris and vegetation that could get in the way of construction. Also, ensure that you grade the most suitable elevation in this step. Ensure the floor material can withstand changing weather conditions throughout the year.

Step 2: Create Post Holes to Install Supporting Posts

You will have to dig holes for the supporting post. It is essential to check the placements before and after digging the holes by measuring the distance between the posts. Use the load of the rafters and an estimated future snow load to guide you.

Again before digging, record the distance between the corner and the wall where you plan to secure the lean-to. Do this by pulling strings along the foundation following the 3-4-5 rule. Ensure that the corners are square before you start digging.

You’ll need a sledgehammer to drive in the post. Ensure that you plumb adjacent sides of the post to make it level and secure the two sides with diagonal cross-bracing and two 1” ×4” boards. Finally, install a wooden stake next to each board into the ground.

Use removable nails or screws to fasten each board to a stake and the post. After placing the end post correctly, you can repeat the process with the intermediate posts.

Step 3: Fill the Post Holes with Concrete

Use a “post-mix” concrete to fill the post hole while leaving the bracing in position for about 24 hours until the concrete sets. If your area does not experience severe, unexpected storms or strong winds on a regular basis, you can use dirt instead of concrete.

Step 4: Cut Notch on Top of Posts

Before making any cut, use a line or a builder’s level to get the rafters’ bench elevation and bearing height. Mark the end post and intermediate post using a chalk line.

Draw a notch 1- ½ inches deep into the post, set the circular saw to that depth, and cut the bar at the base. Use the same depth to cut into the top of the post. If you must, you can use a handsaw. Cut every post in the same way.

An easier, but less sustainable, alternative for this step is for you to nail it directly into the post without cutting it. The only disadvantage of this alternative is that the fasteners will have to handle all of the weight.

Step 5: Place Supporting Posts into the Notches

Nail all of the supporting posts into posts without interfering with the space between the posts. The supporting post should be long enough to span the length of the roof. Also, place them to ensure they have maximum bearing potential.

Step 6: Attach the Purlins on the Outboard Side

When you get to this part of the process, the structure is ready to accommodate the metal purlins. Install them on the outer side of the posts using nails. Your installation must be firm.

Step 7: Use a Nail Gun to Fasten the Purlins

A heavy-duty nail gun is handy to fasten the mortal purlins onto the side of your structure. Heavy-duty screws are the best thing to use in this instance. This is the part of the process where you will attach the upper portion of the roof rafters.

Step 8: Attach Two Planks on Either End of the Structure 

Proceed to attach two planks to either end of your structure using a nail gun to secure them securely on the surface of the structure. Also, include a third plank of wood in the center.

Step 9: Set Roofing Materials on the Wooden Planks

In this step, you regularly attach the roofing material to the wooden planks. By doing this, you can come up with the correct measurement of the roofing material. After doing that, place the material over the structure’s base and screw it with a drill and nails.

Step 10: Install Rim 

In the final step, you can install the rim to cover each side of the structure. Install it by screwing it with nails. You should have a simple but solid structure by the time you get to the end steps of how to build a lean-to structure on an extension.

How to Build a Lean-To Roof — Final Words

Now that you know how to build a lean-to roof, you have discovered that it is a simple structure with no complications when it comes to building it. Besides being simple, it is also pretty standard and the cheapest option among covering structures.

That being said, if you don’t feel comfortable making any alterations to your roof, you can contact a professional residential roofing service, like the experienced team at Roof Master.

Having a team of professionals by your side makes the process incredibly easy and ensures that the job is done correctly the first time around.

Scroll to Top