- 1). Plan your project by first ensuring that the shed is framed properly to accept the new roof. Your shed should be solidly built with front and back walls of differing heights. The difference between the heights of these walls is the pitch of your new shed roof. Calculate the length of rafters you will need by measuring across the top plates of these two walls and adding an overhang over each wall of at least a foot.
- 2). Purchase the lumber you need, either in 2x10 or 2x8 dimension, depending on the rafter span between the shed walls. A longer span requires larger lumber. You will also need 2x12s for the rafter tails at the top and bottom ends of the roof. Buy 1/2-inch CDX plywood sheathing to build the roof deck. Buy enough framing and sheathing nails for your project.
- 3). Design a rafter template by cutting two "bird's mouth" notches in a 2x10; one for the top plate of both the front and back shed wall. Use your framing square to lay out the notches. Cut these notches out with a circular saw, finishing the cuts with a crosscut handsaw. Place the cut rafter into position on the shed and make a mark for the overhang on both ends of the rafter. Use a level to make a plumb line from that mark. Take the template rafter down again and cut those plumb lines with the circular saw. You will use the same template rafter to lay out the cuts on all the others.
- 4). Use the template rafter to lay out your cuts on each of the remaining rafters. Plan your cuts so that the crown of the 2x10 is on the opposite side from the bird's mouth notches. Cut enough rafters to place one every 16 inches along the top plates of the front and rear shed walls. When all rafters are cut, lay them out on the shed walls, nailing them at an angle into the wall top plates with 16d framing nails. Nail a 2x12 along the rafter tails at both overhangs.
- 5). Install CDX sheathing to create the roof deck. Start at the lower end of the roof and nail one sheet in the corner of the roof with 8d sheathing nails. Continue that course, working along the eave of the roof until you reach the other end. Cut the first piece of the next course of plywood to stagger the seams at least two rafters apart between courses. Cover the entire roof with plywood. You are now ready to apply your finish roofing materials.
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