Shed Roof Pole Barn Plans - A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a shed roof pole barn is a great way to add storage and character to your property. The shed roof design is a classic choice for pole barns, providing a simple and functional space for storing equipment, vehicles, or other items.

The first step in creating your shed roof pole barn plans is to determine the size and layout of your building. This will depend on the purpose you have in mind for the space, as well as the available land and budget.

A typical shed roof pole barn has a simple gable design, with a single slope on each side. This design is easy to build and provides a clear, open space inside.

The pitch of the roof is also an important consideration when building a shed roof pole barn. A pitch of 3:12 to 4:12 is common for this type of building, providing a stable and secure roof structure.

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When designing a shed roof pole barn, consider the slope and pitch of the roof. A 4:12 or 6:12 slope is ideal for shed roofs, allowing snow to slide off easily.

The gable end of a shed roof pole barn can be either open or enclosed, but enclosing it provides additional storage space and protection from the elements. Enclosing the gable end typically adds 2-4 feet to the overall length of the barn.

The space between the rafters can be 16 or 24 inches, depending on the desired level of clearance and the size of the barn.

Two post layout pages are included for your pole barn, providing you with the exact post layout with measurements and teaching you how to layout your posts on the ground.

The first post layout page shows the exact post layout with measurements for your pole barn. You can use this to visualize the project and make any necessary adjustments before starting.

To ensure accuracy, use the color code from the diagram to place the posts properly. This will help you avoid any mistakes and ensure a professional finish.

Apply the 3-4-5 rule to the corners to make sure they are square. This is an essential step to ensure the stability and safety of your pole barn.

The middle end posts are slightly larger so you can attach the end trusses and have a back support to secure to. This is a crucial detail to keep in mind when designing your pole barn.

Take accurate measurements before fitting the posts to ensure a smooth and successful build.

Elevation drawings are a crucial part of the design process. They provide a detailed overview of your building's exterior, including measurements and details like roof pitch and metal gauge.

A perspective view is included in the elevation drawings to give you a sense of how your building will look from different angles. This is especially helpful when visualizing the layout and design of your pole barn.

Each side of the building is also included in the elevation drawings, providing a comprehensive view of the exterior. This will help you plan and prepare for the construction process.

The elevation drawings include important notes about the pole barn exterior, such as door and window placement. This information will be useful when making decisions about the layout and functionality of your building.

A total of five elevation drawings are included in the package, giving you a detailed and thorough understanding of your building's design.

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When designing your roof, it's essential to consider the Astro Armour vapor barrier installation process. You'll want to start by installing your Astro Armour vapor barrier under the roof metal.

To ensure a watertight seal, overlap the Astro Armour vapor barrier by 150mm, as this will prevent water from seeping through the gaps. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your roof.

The Astro Armour vapor barrier should be draped over the roof metal, allowing it to sit snugly in place. This will help prevent any wrinkles or creases that could compromise its effectiveness.

You'll need to attach the Astro Armour vapor barrier to the purlins using the recommended fastening system. This will ensure a secure and durable installation.

A single slope building can have more than one level, but the second story won't necessarily have a lot of storage or living space.

Consider the relationship between the building's width, the eave height, and the slope of the roof itself. If you choose a wide building with a fairly flat roof and low eave height, the space on the upper story will be limited.

The roof slope indicates how high the roof goes for every 12' of width. Many people want a 12'-wide building with a 4/12 slope and wonder why they can't stand up on the top level.

To make any loft space practical, your building would need to be at least 16' tall on the low side with this width and slope. The minimum required space for a loft is 7'8" by code.

For another approach, see: One Story Hip Roof House Plans

A strong roof structure is the backbone of any shed roof pole barn. Trusses are a crucial part of this foundation, and our plans include several pages dedicated to trusses, including Truss Information and Truss Prints.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Exposed Timber Roof Trusses

Our Truss Information Page shows your truss specifications and identifies the parts of the truss, including built-in girts on certain trusses. It also shows how to measure your roof overhang as well as top and bottom chord live and dead load.

To ensure a secure connection between the truss and the building posts, our Post To Truss Connection page provides detailed instructions on how and where to connect the truss to the building posts, fasteners, and more.

Here's a quick summary of the key components of our truss prints:

When building a roof, trusses are a crucial part of the structure. Trusses are pre-fabricated frames that connect the rafters and ceiling joists, providing support and stability to the roof.

Engineered truss prints are included with every building package, and they show count, span, pitch, spacing, truss bracing locations, tails, loading, and all associated measurements. These prints are essential for ensuring the trusses are built correctly.

The "Reading Truss Prints" page shows you exactly how to read these prints, including how to read the specialized measurement standard. This is crucial for understanding the specifications and measurements needed for your truss.

Trusses come in different types, including gable end trusses. These trusses are not set up the same way as common trusses and require special bracing and setting procedures.

Our Gable End Truss page shows you exactly how to do it. The page provides a detailed guide on how to brace and set your gable end trusses, including setting them on the outside of the posts.

Here are some key truss types and their characteristics:

Understanding how to read and work with truss prints is essential for building a strong and stable roof. With the right information and guidance, you can ensure your trusses are built correctly and your roof is safe and secure.

Purlins play a crucial role in the overall structure of your roof. They are horizontal beams that provide additional support to the roof's trusses.

Overlapping purlins is a critical step in the framing process. You want to make sure they overlap to ensure a solid and secure roof.

To attach purlins to trusses, you need to follow a specific method. Our plans show you exactly how to do it, including how to attach purlins to other purlins.

Framing purlins at the eave wall and gable walls requires attention to detail. You need to make sure they are properly secured to the wall to prevent any damage or collapse.

An often overlooked step in framing is adding an additional purlin to maintain 2 feet on center. This is a crucial step that our plans highlight.

Framing the purlins for the ridge cap is also a critical aspect of the process. You need to make sure it is properly secured to the roof to prevent any leaks or damage.

Intriguing read: Insulating Pole Barn between Purlins

Width is a crucial factor in designing a lean-to pole barn. If your building's width is greater than 30', your rafters will need to support a much larger load.

In this case, your rafters or laminated veneer lumber beams (LVLs) will be longer, larger, and heavier, and therefore, more expensive. Light LVLs can still be strong enough to hold large roof loads, but they come at a greater cost.

If the roof is clearspan, meaning it has no interior supporting poles, single slope buildings require rafters to carry the entire roof load. This can be a challenge if the width is more than 36', as you'll need to add interior posts to support the roof.

Fortunately, if you're using your single slope building for a loafing shed, you can easily hide poles in the walls between rooms.

Related reading: Shed Roof with Rafters