Wow! What a good guy you are. Skilled and unruffled by any idiocy sent your way via posts of silly & unthinking people. I'm not referencing those that offered insightful & helpful advice. Only those that don't offer any solutions. Haven't seen many well planned, intelligent tutorials like this. Thank you for your time and the sharing of your experience. Well done!
Hi Heather, I really appreciate that encouragement. It still amazes me in this arena how the fragrance of a few kind words can overpower volumes of the other. :-)
Zack, I am truly impressed with your inginuity. There is infinite room for improvement in anything. You did great and your videos have my mind churning on how I could adapt your plan for storage for my RV.
I'm not a professional carpenter, but I do a lot of home projects, like the gazeebo I built in my backyard, so I do have some experience building and working with wood. A few notes so far on the series: 1) During the initial build phase, when you overlapped the boards and screwed them together to make them longer ... I might have put a little wood glue in there to reinforce the union. Screws have great strength in the direction they go in and come out, but their sheering strength is a lot less. The glue should help make up for that shortfall. 2) You noted that the 1X boards were noodly and the ply boards were more ridged when you put up the ribs. That's because the directional strength of the 1X in up and down only, which is good for supporting the weight of the roof and anything that might be on it. The ply boards spread out their strength both up and down and side to side. Overall, they're stronger, but in the up and down direction, they're weaker than the 1X boards. Once you put the OSB onto the ribs, you don't have to worry about side to side strength. The OSB takes that load, but you still need to worry about your vertical load from the weight of the roof, and the 1X boards are going to perform better overall and over time than the ply boards. 3) I love that you did this project! I've been wanting to do this for a while but just haven't had the time to do it myself. Glad to be able to see someone else do it first so I can have something to see and learn from first!
There is also the differential in the type of wood used as 1X material. The factor is called: modulus of elasticity. So species of lumber used in the 1X material is a factor in strength and stability. The grade of plywood you used would also factor in. Most manufacturers use only exterior glue, but the exposed edges and exposure to ambient moisture may lead to delamination over time unless you seal the plywood edges with paint. Considering you used osb for the sides, Paint is a good idea period unless you plan to take this down in the near future.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each $500.00 shed video. 1] You speak clear English with no foreign accent. 2] The video has no loud obnoxious racket (music) in the background. 3] And most of all: the subject. It looks like just what I need several of here for barns & sheds. (I had no doubt that it would stand the test of wind, rain, snow, and ice.) I put 1/2 OSB covered with tar paper under all of my metal roofs. A 2x6 or 2x8 ridge pole will make it much stronger. As well as a 1x4 or 2x4 (running flat and dadoed into your arch) at the horizontal seams in the OSB.
Thank you very much, I appreciate the compliment. I also agree that the improvements you mentioned would definitely be, well, improvements. I've thought a lot about my lack of support at the seams. Lessons for next time.
Thanks! I've been inspired. I'm a bit old for this foolery, but my son, I think, would love to help! It's now, officially, on my "bucket list". I'll be incorporating some of the helpful suggestions from your followers.
Hey Michael, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think that some of the most useful info from my videos comes not from me but from all the discussion in the comments. Cheers
Not surprised the snow stuck, we use cheap blue tarp to cover our wood piles and outdoor equipment here in Maine. Between UV damage and the snow melt refreeze the snow sticks. If you try to pry the frozen snow blobs off it'll strip the PVC off the Polyester mesh. My advice: If you have to remove snow - roof rake & sweep down to 1/2" - 1" deep and leave it to melt off. Prepare yourself to replace poly tarps every 3-5 Winters. Arch construction is strong - if you did a typical shed roof with a low pitch I would have been worried.
Zack, I began discussing a pallet building and had alot of those "Nah Sayers." I have since built a 24x24 with 9' walls 4/12 pitch and a 12' clear span lean too off the side. I only disassembled a handful of pallets and it has weathered the 8-1/2" snow we had a couple weeks ago with no problem. So keep up the good work and be proud of it!
I just stumbled on to your build. I love your Get R done attitude. You inspired me to make one like yours. I live in central MN. with a lot of lakes, my point is where peaple store and sele pontoons they shrink wrap for winter, so they pay to get rid of the wrap (free for the asking). Also I think without nothing holding it down I'd throw a few cables over with screw anchors. Well that's my 2 cents worth anyway. Keep up the spirit, and God Bless. Tom from MN.
Hey Tom that sounds like a good thing to use. I like the idea of cables and screw anchors, as it is now I have a half dozen rebar "tent stakes" driven thru the sill plate helping some.
Hi Zack, Probably the type of tarp/plastic makes the snow more likely to stick to it. If you for example would have used a heavier, more smooth, PVC as bisonyl (as we call thiss here in Holland. It is a PVC-coated polyester, weighing up to 650gr/m2) the snow for sure would have slide away from it. The shed is pretty sturdy; snow weighs half as much as water per volume, so 10 inches would make 150 kgs per square meter!
I thought the same thing Ruud. Zack - I love this shed project and its exactly the design and material construction I've been looking for so thanks for putting this together. We recently bought our 1st home. Its on 2/3's of an acre and has no outbuildings or tool shed even so its crazy trying to find a dry inch of space! II am near the Columbia gorge so the rain is mostly sideways in the winter and My garden tractor is under an actual scrap of pond liner so I am motivated by this video to say the least! In regards to the covering tarp material, I just bought a used billboard vinyl recently and have cut some custom size coverings and love the material so far. I really can see any reason (other than a free harbor freight coupons) to purchase a regular tarp after using this stuff. It was like $45 plus $19 for shipping to Oregon for a 14x48' 11- 13 mil UV protected vinyl with a scrim mesh interior. This material is superior to even the heaviest duty poly tarp you can buy. You don't get to choose the ad (back side is either black or white) but you can't get a crappy blue tarp that size for that cheap. Its not like a weave that will loosen over time and let standing water through - people use them as pond liners for example. I am planning on covering my first shed/shelter with this and figured I should at least mention it if metal roofing is not in the immediate future. Not sure if this is same thing Ruud was talking about but I've noticed stuff slides off it easier than a woven tarp and I suspect snow would too. When i was researching apparently these things are big with farmers and ranchers for cheap durable hay coverings and a lot of people are using them as 7 to 10 year replaceable roofing for smaller outbuildings. There is a special glue that will chemically weld the material together which is what finally sold me since I can just cut and glue it to the shape and length I need. If you already know about this stuff then I am preaching to the choir but if not check it out do some research. I think this covering would be an awesome application for this type of building and Its what I am planning.
If you added one 20 ft width over the peak (running the length) of Visqueen plastic that would be slick enough to shed the snow. That's probably a brand name, but commonly known by that name in midwest U.S.
I really like the way you did this and was thinking about making one myself and was considering a couple of modifications and would be interested in your comments. Since there is so little lumber required, I was thinking about using treated wood which could withstand exposure until I have time to complete the project and prevent future termite damage. I was also thinking about skinning it with metal roofing rather than OSB and adding a loft for storage but also to serve as "scaffolding" to facilitate installing the top roof panels.
This looks like a good alternative to the metal pole type arched cabins I was looking at and might be cheaper, depending on material used for roof and ends.
This is a really great idea. Glad it is holding up for you. I don't know about anyone else but I would like to see a lessons learned segment. I know that when I finish building a project I say to my self. "You know what, I should have done x here" or "You know what would have been really cool ?"
Zack Of All Trades Please DO post a "What I SHOULD have done" video, as I am using your series as a blueprint for my own build. I like your 'everyman' or Regular Guy style, as it inspires the rest of us regular guys to try it for ourselves. Keep up the good work!
I am Impressed at how well it is holding the snow. Good update. and Good luck with the rest of the winter. If it makes it all the way through I will have to try one next spring.
It looks like it's doing pretty well. Once a permanent back is installed and some more well placed braces it will be solid. Good job, beautiful country too!
That's a tenacious hold that snow has on the roof. The best way to get it off that I know of is to throw a rope over the top and drag the rope ends from one end of the shed to the other. It'll slide right away and will only take 10 minutes.
The shed is looking good. I'm no engineer or fancy know it all kind of guy but I think if you closed up the front side like you did the back, it would only take a couple hours of sunshine to build up enough warmth inside to melt that snow to the point it would slide off. It doesn't actually have to get warm inside, just warmer than freezing. We have one of those commercially available portable garage things at work and it definitely gets warmer inside than it is outside and the snow slides off pretty quickly when we get some sun. Take care and thanks for the update.
There is a product available in Australia called silo bags. It's a single use short-term storage system for grain . After the grain has been removed they are surplus and farmers are often keen to get rid of them . They are made of durable pvc type material that lasts well, I've had some for 10+ years, doesn't frey but will stretch to some degree. I have seen this material appears to available in the us and Europe . Could be a good cheap option for someone considering to do a similar style construction.
Surprised about no thievery? It's a mile into the woods in a relatively sparsely populated area, and I have some family that lives pretty near. I've also enacted some additional security precautions >:-)
Lee Whatttt? How in the the heck do you call that 9-10 inches of snow accumulation? Or are you talking sideways? At the most there is 2 inches on top of your little tent building.
I agree, they get stronger/stiffer the more force you apply (at least that's my understanding) The green screen thing is kinda fun to play with, another tool in the story telling toolbox :-)
A little late to other comments, but IMHO, you did an excellent job with the $ involved. That shed isn't going anywhere barring a MAJOR wind. I think you have an excellent foundation build that over the years will just get improvements to make it perfect. Job well done Zack! BTW, you have a new subscriber as your type of vids are exactly what I love top watch.
i like the design very sturdy the only things i would have changed is blocking on the ridge a more built up peak maybe bring that plywood bracket all the way to the peek and some green board 4x4 on the bottom plate . i want to build one now very nice. good job !!
Enjoyed all four videos. I've found that the silver sided tarps, Harbor Freight, last the longest. About 2-3 years outside. Longer if you take them down during the dry months.
If you plan on living inside it,may I suggest that you reinforce the structure with more trusses so that they are two ft on center and then use sheet steel on the outside.A locaal roofer I know says you could have the pole barn steel go vertically instead of horizontally. I hopee to use your design in an upcoming rV enclosure with sleeping above the RV.Thanks.Steve.
Zack, Very cool! Just getting to watch the lessons learned video. I need something like this here in the rain soaked Pacific Northwest, might have to try this. I have a friend with a sawmill that I can get 16 foot 1X4s so I think it could go pretty smooth.
Hi I built a gothic arch shed much like that I would guess about 25 years ago. Got the plans from the back of the wooden boat magazine. They hold snow ok, the horizontal purlins basically stop the snow slide so as soon as the pitch gradient reduces the snow gets hung up. The snow at the base buttresses the bottom which is a plus.. Mine collapsed the first year under probably a 14" wet snow because I made the arches too weak, I rebuilt and put center poles every 12 feet, the shed was 18' wide 44' long, under 500$ back then and the rebuild lasted until the tarp wore out, maybe 8 years.
Hi Geoff, I hadn't thought of the snow pile at the base acting like a buttress. I just got an update a couple days ago that the snow has shed from my, uh, shed lol so hopefully it'll keep behaving that way.
I have built 4 of these structures. I see one problem here. That is the joint in the 2 short pieces of the trusses. You have no structure there to reinforce the "seam". I would recommend that you cut the pieces so that they are smooth inside and out and put larger blocking right there in the seam. Or add blocking there at least. For anyone else I highly recommend you use full length lumber for the trusses, and larger blocking. My greenhouse is 20 by 40, the largest of these type structures I have built. It is also 13 feet high from the knee wall up, but I used 16' lumber to make the full trusses. In some area's I used a belt sander to shape the blocking to the curve. A little extra work but well worth it. My greenhouse has been up 4 years now and is still doing great.And it is just covered with greenhouse plastic. If anyone is thinking about these, it only takes 4 trusses built with 10' material to build a great mower or bike shed.
rubber roofing material for the front and roof instead of a tarp .It is 45 mil and is smooth and will hold up better .Plus the snow will slide off it and as sun hits it that will warm it up for melting .You can also getting ice and water shield with the grit on it .It is really sticky .Once on there is no moving it
Those Gothic arches have an inherent strength so I'm not at all surprised that it is still standing. Keep up the good work Zack, and thanks for sharing the journey with us.
I see the beginning ideas for a tiny house. Of course, a good foundation is required. Just a thought . . it would have to be better reinforced, but your improvements are a starting idea.
Looks good. be prepared as there are people that have nothing better to do than go on UA-cam and watch videos just so that they can put in bad comments and/or give a thumbs down. I am sure there are people that will say they don't like your shirt or your Garage door that is behind you. Do give a lot of weight to these folks, they have nothing better to do and are unable to do anything by themselves.
Enjoyed the whole series! The fact that you were able to (basically) built from scratch and learn from trail and error was informative and educational. I'm sure there are many things you would change if you were to do it again but I'm pretty sure this one will last a long time. Think I'll subscribe just in case you have more updates. 👍
Totally cool. Props! If you're done - great. It will be a truly long term structure if you do 2 more things (IMHO). Put something like a metal roof on it, which would genuinely protect the structure. Simply put rolled tar paper (the black stuff) under first as a vapor barrier, starting at the bottom using staples, then overlapping as you go. Then screw in metal roofing. Of course this means extra money, but your work is worth saving! I've even found buildings being torn down that I got metal roofing from, just had to make sure to use the existing screw holes and large enough grommets. Anyway, lastly, I would dig under the 'sill plate' at a few locations and slowly jack each side up, then put a concrete block under each arch, with a small piece of roofing between the block and the 'sill'. If that sill is on the ground more than a year or so, the bugs and moisture will begin ruining all your hard work... Anyway, I appreciate your honesty, creativity, and humility in allowing the world to watch you learn while you go. Good job. For His Kingdom!
My boat saw your videos and ask me to build one for it. We(my boat and I) are on a budget too and need a safe winter den. Nice job figuring out what to do on the fly.
glad to know you have a home, from the previous videos of this series I thought you were homeless and you were going to live in that thing until you built a house. btw tarps will not last very long, I would suggest roofing asap. once those tarps start to leak that osb will soak up water like a sponge and it will start to fall apart.
Great job on the shed if you put Turtle Wax or any other Automotive wax on your tarp the snow will have less texture to cling to and will slide off easily you're welcome great video thank you for your knowledge and expertise
So far so good indeed. Holding up quite nicely. I too am surprised at the amount of snow clinging onto the high pitch; thought that'd slide straight off. Maybe the tarp has a lot of friction or something.
Zack; At a glance I would estimate that the peak is roughly equal to a 12/12 pitch. Charlie (see below) suggested using corrugated metal for roofing. I too had considered that but, I think that the snow would be more likely to stick in place if the ribbing is oriented horizontally. Running it vertically would require the sheeting be pre formed, an additional expense. Rubberized sheeting commonly used on low or no pitch roofs would be the best bet. Thank's for sharing the build with us, it will help with the R n D on my own project.
Hi Don, I completely agree with your thoughts on the corrugated metal, although depending on the gauge you may get it to bend without too much trouble. At any rate, I'm glad it's useful for your R&D, that's my whole goal with making the videos :-)
Zack: Thanks for documenting the good, bad, and ugly of your build. Anyone have experience with recycled billboard tarps in an application like this? I need to build a temporary workshop, to keep tools set up in while I timberframe a garage/shop. It would be nice to convert the structure to a greenhouse when the garage is completed-ish. I plan to use a blown double-wall plastic covering, inflated with a low pressure electric blower, to keep the plastic from flailing itself to death in the winter wind. Some additional cross-bracing might be in order, since the sheathing won't be there to take the shear loads. A little noodling is in order! Thanks again to all in this series who offered constructive comments.
I admire you for undertaking this project. My concern was, before this episode, that it was not anchored and both ends were open. I was sure it was going to end up down in that clearing you showed. Something I found amusing was that you quote Pathageras yet don't know about 3, 4, 5? (Or multiples thereof 6, 8, 10 or 9, 12, 15. . .) And working into that corner. . . Screw the first two blocks onto it before you bow it.
The strength of the arch is very good the concern I would have is rot. Smaller pieces of fur rot much faster especially at ground level . Some sort of sealer like teak oil or a wood preservative would be a good idea. Also raising it up on some sort of foundation blocks will keep the wood from sitting in the mud when it rains. Great idea I may have to copy it !
Hey Tom thanks for the suggestion, I did build it on top of foundation rocks, although maybe not as tall as I would have liked. With that said, I't's not quite sitting on the ground. My biggest blunder I think in that area is that I sheathed it with OSB all the way to the bottom so as the piled up snow stacked along the edges warms up and becomes slush I'm afraid it's going to wick up into the OSB. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the update. As i am sure hundreds of these will be popping up in the springtime thanks to your video. Ihave the same mileage problem as you. Guess what the first structure is i plan on putting up this year is.
The Gothic arch is one of the most robust architectural concepts in history. Centuries old cathedrals in Europe still stand because they used it. Now, they're made from stone, so there is that. But - as long as the wood you used stays free of damp and water, is even slightly rot resistant, and the glue holds up, of course.... well there's little wonder that yours withstood snow, and the elements with ease. It was a wise choice to use it. David
Yeah regardless of whether you use my exact method or materials, I think this is a fantastic design and even at 3x the price would be a lot of bang for the buck.
throw a rope over the top length ways as close to the top as possible and pull it from both sides like a saw,,snow will fall off..do both sides obviously..simple 5 minute trick
Trick is doing that without being there... be cool to have a solar panel and small battery hooked to a pressure switch and a bit of heater wire so would melt it off when needed.. as long as leaves didnt pile up on top than itd work and maintain the battery for maybe up to 10 years:. But if leaves happened i wouldnt think itd be to good...
My guess is that building would withstand at least 3 times that amount of snow. I have a car port with not even a 1/12 pitch and it survived 9 inches of snow
ready to see the next video of the finish or continuation .great videos all of them,explained things to were I could understand .thanks,glad for no music also ,didn't come to here music thank.
We don’t get snow in my part of the world 🇦🇺 but im thinking the pitch of the roof where the snow is should be ok? Surely your typical house roof isn’t steeper? Maybe it’s a function of the tarp surface that snow is still hanging in there? A metal surface could present a slipperier surface to snow? 🤔🤔 I like what you’ve done and your videos are a pleasure to follow 😊😊
I’d love to do something like this but the economics aren’t feasible here. It’s considered a fixed structure by local governance and is subject to engineering and approval ($$$ 🙄🙄). By the time you’ve jumped through the hoops, a shipping container makes for a cheaper proposition. And it could handle snow even if it did snow here 😄😄
Yeah local laws are why I restricted this to >300sq ft and don't plan a loft. Over 300 sq ft is where I start needing building permits and drawings, engineering and such.
Since you had already sheeted with OSB I wonder about using corrugated metal on the outside, granted it would drive the price up but it would contribute to the longevity of the building.
Sheet steel roofing would go well there. Comes in lgths of up to 16 ft, is easy to cut to size w/ circ saw, has a bit of a weight advantage over corrugated, will add to structure rigidity and, in the Northeast, can be bought at auction (Lambrecht, for one) pretty reasonably and in a range of colors during off season colder months.
Before buying sheet steel roofing for a project like this, be sure to double check that it is a roofing style that will bend suitably for the arch. A friend bought a bunch of surplus steel roofing material off a company for a similar project, hauled it the better part of a day up to the camp, and 'surprise!' it was a heavily ribbed semi structural roof panel system, which was not going to bend to an arch roof.
This is a tried-and-true design it's been around for quite a while I would wager that even without your gussets and braces the structure would still be standing those homemade curved beams are what secure the building definitely the cross braces and beams help with stability but I still believe without them the building would stand and hold a snow load
Where is that located my friend? I am from Canada and I have had challenges with collapsing car ports. Your peak sides sparked my interest. I find your design refreshing and the cost pleasing.
About your snow problem on the roof of the $500 She'd. And this has probably already been suggested but could you tarp over your open end (temporarily) and put some form of heater (kerosene) inside. Just to build enough heat to melt the bottom layer of snow, so it would slide off.
Wow - your green screen skills are AMAZING! I really want to build one to keep my bobcat in, and one for my Dad as well. I planted the seeds in his head to think about it as a design alternative.
Thanks Andrew, I'm not sure to take that as literal or sarcasm but it was said very kindly so either way It's a compliment :-) I'm feeling really good about this type of structure as a good place to store equipment, it's what I plan to build again once I start accumulating said equipment.
I still have ideas of putting one up for the skid steer loader (aka bobcat). I'm tossing around an idea of putting in some 4x4 posts to anchor it. They would only stick out of the ground about 4 inches +/-. That will help me level the business and anchor it tight and square - without creating any direct contact with the ground. Floor can remain dirt because a bobcat never wipes it feet on the way in anyway.
I subscribed after watching the build videos. I have to admit, that I am one who thought (but didn't post) that it would collapse or blow away. The cross ties help imensely as does the cross bracing. Wet snow weighs significantly more, so hopefully, it does slide off. Fortunately, if it does collapse, the structure shouldn't cause any damage to the truck or boat.
Bill I respect your forthrightness, as well as your restraint in piling on with the rest who envisioned doom lol. The jury's still out, and as I once read, "failure is not an option, but it is a possibility" but I have a pretty good feeling about this :-)
Zack Of All Trades I think this is a case of factors of safety. Building codes are designed to handle more than the worst possible case that you will exerience in a given area. So, my roof has to be strong enough to handle 5' of snow even though the biggest storm we ever had was only 39" of snow. And most typical winters only see 12' or less at any one time. So, your strucure will obviously stand up to some and might stand up to all. However, there is a breakpoint somewhere in there.
I don’t think the smoothness or lack there of has anything to do with accumulation of snow, it’s sticking becuz the underside temperature and top (outside) temperature are the same. Picture a wet tarp that then freezes, creating a film of ice, then it snows and gives a surface for more snow to “stick” to. If interior warmth was allowed to permeate thru the top then snow & ice wouldn’t accumulate. Ever notice how some rooftops have more snow on them than others in the same neighborhood? The ones with a lot of snow are better insulated than the others, the insulation does its job of keeping the heat inside the house.
Very interesting build. Are you going to paint the wood? I don't know about that climate but here in South Texas a plastic tarp will hold in a lot of moisture. Just some thoughts. Enjoyed the videos
I think If I was building it to withstand a windy environment, I'd do a few things. Beef up the gussets at the top (double sided at minimum) cross bracing throughout and firmly affix it to terra firma via screw anchors or some other method. with those things done, I don't see why it wouldnt do just fine.
Never. Underestimate. The. Arch. Silicone spray on your tarp would make the snow slide right off. Bet it wouldn't collect an inch. Too bad silicone application only lasts about a month. Some tarps have more or less texture. You want zero texture if possible. Maybe cover your existing heavy tarps with with very thin (.5-1 mil), slick, cheap poly sheeting used by tight wad painters. It wold last a year or 2, but is very inexpensive. Great project Zack!
Success!! ? Snow near the peak? Could it that heat near the top would have slightly warmed the snow to and refreeze at night, and crystallized causing increased friction to prevent sliding?
The Romans were especially instructive historically demonstrating that the arch, with proper strength and gussets over longer spans can bear great weight over long periods. (But i wonder if they ever considered unsealed OSB, the danger of the sheer weakness of screws over heavier nails or qualified architectural screws which are not prone to sheering under dynamic load?) hmmmmm....things that puzzled great builders throughout the early 19thC to today..... Keep on keeping on! If it works, the detractors were wrong!
lol yeah I don't think the Romans used OSB, unless compacted cow dung counts, no maybe that was the Brits in the dark ages. I agree wholeheartedly with your last statement! Thanks for watching
Wow! What a good guy you are. Skilled and unruffled by any idiocy sent your way via posts of silly & unthinking people. I'm not referencing those that offered insightful & helpful advice. Only those that don't offer any solutions. Haven't seen many well planned, intelligent tutorials like this. Thank you for your time and the sharing of your experience. Well done!
Hi Heather, I really appreciate that encouragement. It still amazes me in this arena how the fragrance of a few kind words can overpower volumes of the other. :-)
Zack, I am truly impressed with your inginuity. There is infinite room for improvement in anything. You did great and your videos have my mind churning on how I could adapt your plan for storage for my RV.
Thanks a lot bmr, I'm glad to hear I got you thinking!
I'm not a professional carpenter, but I do a lot of home projects, like the gazeebo I built in my backyard, so I do have some experience building and working with wood. A few notes so far on the series:
1) During the initial build phase, when you overlapped the boards and screwed them together to make them longer ... I might have put a little wood glue in there to reinforce the union. Screws have great strength in the direction they go in and come out, but their sheering strength is a lot less. The glue should help make up for that shortfall.
2) You noted that the 1X boards were noodly and the ply boards were more ridged when you put up the ribs. That's because the directional strength of the 1X in up and down only, which is good for supporting the weight of the roof and anything that might be on it. The ply boards spread out their strength both up and down and side to side. Overall, they're stronger, but in the up and down direction, they're weaker than the 1X boards. Once you put the OSB onto the ribs, you don't have to worry about side to side strength. The OSB takes that load, but you still need to worry about your vertical load from the weight of the roof, and the 1X boards are going to perform better overall and over time than the ply boards.
3) I love that you did this project! I've been wanting to do this for a while but just haven't had the time to do it myself. Glad to be able to see someone else do it first so I can have something to see and learn from first!
That is a really great explanation of the 1x vs ply debate. I hadn't considered it in that light. Really good food for thought.
There is also the differential in the type of wood used as 1X material. The factor is called: modulus of elasticity. So species of lumber used in the 1X material is a factor in strength and stability. The grade of plywood you used would also factor in. Most manufacturers use only exterior glue, but the exposed edges and exposure to ambient moisture may lead to delamination over time unless you seal the plywood edges with paint. Considering you used osb for the sides, Paint is a good idea period unless you plan to take this down in the near future.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each $500.00 shed video. 1] You speak clear English with no foreign accent. 2] The video has no loud obnoxious racket (music) in the background. 3] And most of all: the subject. It looks like just what I need several of here for barns & sheds. (I had no doubt that it would stand the test of wind, rain, snow, and ice.) I put 1/2 OSB covered with tar paper under all of my metal roofs. A 2x6 or 2x8 ridge pole will make it much stronger. As well as a 1x4 or 2x4 (running flat and dadoed into your arch) at the horizontal seams in the OSB.
Thank you very much, I appreciate the compliment. I also agree that the improvements you mentioned would definitely be, well, improvements. I've thought a lot about my lack of support at the seams. Lessons for next time.
“You speak clear English with no foreign accent.”
Excuse me, The American accent IS a foreign accent.
Yea to foreigners.. hah!
Thanks! I've been inspired. I'm a bit old for this foolery, but my son, I think, would love to help! It's now, officially, on my "bucket list".
I'll be incorporating some of the helpful suggestions from your followers.
Hey Michael, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think that some of the most useful info from my videos comes not from me but from all the discussion in the comments. Cheers
Sweet digs and forgot to commend you on the wonderful family in tow. Just perfect, thx for the confidence that all is well
Not surprised the snow stuck, we use cheap blue tarp to cover our wood piles and outdoor equipment here in Maine. Between UV damage and the snow melt refreeze the snow sticks. If you try to pry the frozen snow blobs off it'll strip the PVC off the Polyester mesh. My advice: If you have to remove snow - roof rake & sweep down to 1/2" - 1" deep and leave it to melt off. Prepare yourself to replace poly tarps every 3-5 Winters.
Arch construction is strong - if you did a typical shed roof with a low pitch I would have been worried.
Yeah, I have some experience with tarps as haystack covers. This was kind of meant as a temporary measure.
Zack,
I began discussing a pallet building and had alot of those "Nah Sayers." I have since built a 24x24 with 9' walls 4/12 pitch and a 12' clear span lean too off the side. I only disassembled a handful of pallets and it has weathered the 8-1/2" snow we had a couple weeks ago with no problem. So keep up the good work and be proud of it!
Thanks a bunch Corey, I really appreciate the encouragement!
I just stumbled on to your build. I love your Get R done attitude. You inspired me to make one like yours. I live in central MN. with a lot of lakes, my point is where peaple store and sele pontoons they shrink wrap for winter, so they pay to get rid of the wrap (free for the asking). Also I think without nothing holding it down I'd throw a few cables over with screw anchors. Well that's my 2 cents worth anyway. Keep up the spirit, and God Bless. Tom from MN.
Hey Tom that sounds like a good thing to use. I like the idea of cables and screw anchors, as it is now I have a half dozen rebar "tent stakes" driven thru the sill plate helping some.
Hi Zack,
Probably the type of tarp/plastic makes the snow more likely to stick to it. If you for example would have used a heavier, more smooth, PVC as bisonyl (as we call thiss here in Holland. It is a PVC-coated polyester, weighing up to 650gr/m2) the snow for sure would have slide away from it.
The shed is pretty sturdy; snow weighs half as much as water per volume, so 10 inches would make 150 kgs per square meter!
I think you're exactly right about that.
I thought the same thing Ruud. Zack - I love this shed project and its exactly the design and material construction I've been looking for so thanks for putting this together. We recently bought our 1st home. Its on 2/3's of an acre and has no outbuildings or tool shed even so its crazy trying to find a dry inch of space! II am near the Columbia gorge so the rain is mostly sideways in the winter and My garden tractor is under an actual scrap of pond liner so I am motivated by this video to say the least! In regards to the covering tarp material, I just bought a used billboard vinyl recently and have cut some custom size coverings and love the material so far. I really can see any reason (other than a free harbor freight coupons) to purchase a regular tarp after using this stuff. It was like $45 plus $19 for shipping to Oregon for a 14x48' 11- 13 mil UV protected vinyl with a scrim mesh interior. This material is superior to even the heaviest duty poly tarp you can buy. You don't get to choose the ad (back side is either black or white) but you can't get a crappy blue tarp that size for that cheap. Its not like a weave that will loosen over time and let standing water through - people use them as pond liners for example. I am planning on covering my first shed/shelter with this and figured I should at least mention it if metal roofing is not in the immediate future. Not sure if this is same thing Ruud was talking about but I've noticed stuff slides off it easier than a woven tarp and I suspect snow would too. When i was researching apparently these things are big with farmers and ranchers for cheap durable hay coverings and a lot of people are using them as 7 to 10 year replaceable roofing for smaller outbuildings. There is a special glue that will chemically weld the material together which is what finally sold me since I can just cut and glue it to the shape and length I need. If you already know about this stuff then I am preaching to the choir but if not check it out do some research. I think this covering would be an awesome application for this type of building and Its what I am planning.
If you added one 20 ft width over the peak (running the length) of Visqueen plastic that would be slick enough to shed the snow. That's probably a brand name, but commonly known by that name in midwest U.S.
I really like the way you did this and was thinking about making one myself and was considering a couple of modifications and would be interested in your comments. Since there is so little lumber required, I was thinking about using treated wood which could withstand exposure until I have time to complete the project and prevent future termite damage. I was also thinking about skinning it with metal roofing rather than OSB and adding a loft for storage but also to serve as "scaffolding" to facilitate installing the top roof panels.
This looks like a good alternative to the metal pole type arched cabins I was looking at and might be cheaper, depending on material used for roof and ends.
It may well be cheaper
This is a really great idea. Glad it is holding up for you. I don't know about anyone else but I would like to see a lessons learned segment. I know that when I finish building a project I say to my self. "You know what, I should have done x here" or "You know what would have been really cool ?"
Chris I really like that Idea, expect it.
Zack Of All Trades
Please DO post a "What I SHOULD have done" video, as I am using your series as a blueprint for my own build.
I like your 'everyman' or Regular Guy style, as it inspires the rest of us regular guys to try it for ourselves.
Keep up the good work!
I am Impressed at how well it is holding the snow. Good update. and Good luck with the rest of the winter. If it makes it all the way through I will have to try one next spring.
I'll be sure to do another update after the thaw.
It looks like it's doing pretty well. Once a permanent back is installed and some more well placed braces it will be solid. Good job, beautiful country too!
Thanks Keith, we really love it
Zack, I was thinking that some Armour All on that tarp might stop so much snow from accumulating on top or even some Black Magic tire shine.
That's a tenacious hold that snow has on the roof. The best way to get it off that I know of is to throw a rope over the top and drag the rope ends from one end of the shed to the other. It'll slide right away and will only take 10 minutes.
Great project Zack! Once I buy some land I'll have to build a larger one for my 40 ft motorhome
Thanks Bryant! One thing I think is really cool about this design is that it's really easy to make longer or shorter depending on your needs.
The shed is looking good. I'm no engineer or fancy know it all kind of guy but I think if you closed up the front side like you did the back, it would only take a couple hours of sunshine to build up enough warmth inside to melt that snow to the point it would slide off. It doesn't actually have to get warm inside, just warmer than freezing. We have one of those commercially available portable garage things at work and it definitely gets warmer inside than it is outside and the snow slides off pretty quickly when we get some sun. Take care and thanks for the update.
That's a good thought, I appreciate it.
There is a product available in Australia called silo bags. It's a single use short-term storage system for grain . After the grain has been removed they are surplus and farmers are often keen to get rid of them . They are made of durable pvc type material that lasts well, I've had some for 10+ years, doesn't frey but will stretch to some degree. I have seen this material appears to available in the us and Europe . Could be a good cheap option for someone considering to do a similar style construction.
That's a good thought, thank you Lachlan!
I'm not surprised it held up well but I am surprised your car and boat are still there.
Surprised about no thievery? It's a mile into the woods in a relatively sparsely populated area, and I have some family that lives pretty near. I've also enacted some additional security precautions >:-)
Good. I wish you well.
Thanks Lee
Lee
Whatttt? How in the the heck do you call that 9-10 inches of snow accumulation? Or are you talking sideways?
At the most there is 2 inches on top of your little tent building.
Those gothic arches are amazing pieces of engineering. Very tuff.
Nice green screen action also.
I agree, they get stronger/stiffer the more force you apply (at least that's my understanding) The green screen thing is kinda fun to play with, another tool in the story telling toolbox :-)
A little late to other comments, but IMHO, you did an excellent job with the $ involved. That shed isn't going anywhere barring a MAJOR wind. I think you have an excellent foundation build that over the years will just get improvements to make it perfect. Job well done Zack! BTW, you have a new subscriber as your type of vids are exactly what I love top watch.
Thanks a lot Joel, I appreciate your kind comment :)
i like the design very sturdy the only things i would have changed is blocking on the ridge a more built up peak maybe bring that plywood bracket all the way to the peek and some green board 4x4 on the bottom plate . i want to build one now very nice. good job !!
Thanks Ernest!
Enjoyed all four videos. I've found that the silver sided tarps, Harbor Freight, last the longest. About 2-3 years outside. Longer if you take them down during the dry months.
Thanks Terry
Congrats on your successful build. When good weather returns do a little maintenance and it'll be ready for the next season.
Thanks Stanton, that's my plan!
That my friend was a great build. I was not to shure when I was watching your first video, but I decided to stick around. Really good job.
If you plan on living inside it,may I suggest that you reinforce the structure with more trusses so that they are two ft on center
and then use sheet steel on the outside.A locaal roofer I know says you could have the pole barn steel go vertically instead of horizontally. I hopee to use your design in an upcoming rV enclosure with sleeping above the RV.Thanks.Steve.
Thanks for the pointers Steve
Zack,
Very cool! Just getting to watch the lessons learned video. I need something like this here in the rain soaked Pacific Northwest, might have to try this. I have a friend with a sawmill that I can get 16 foot 1X4s so I think it could go pretty smooth.
That'd be perfect!
Hi
I built a gothic arch shed much like that I would guess about 25 years ago. Got the plans from the back of the wooden boat magazine. They hold snow ok, the horizontal purlins basically stop the snow slide so as soon as the pitch gradient reduces the snow gets hung up. The snow at the base buttresses the bottom which is a plus..
Mine collapsed the first year under probably a 14" wet snow because I made the arches too weak, I rebuilt and put center poles every 12 feet, the shed was 18' wide 44' long, under 500$ back then and the rebuild lasted until the tarp wore out, maybe 8 years.
Hi Geoff, I hadn't thought of the snow pile at the base acting like a buttress. I just got an update a couple days ago that the snow has shed from my, uh, shed lol so hopefully it'll keep behaving that way.
I have built 4 of these structures. I see one problem here. That is the joint in the 2 short pieces of the trusses. You have no structure there to reinforce the "seam". I would recommend that you cut the pieces so that they are smooth inside and out and put larger blocking right there in the seam. Or add blocking there at least. For anyone else I highly recommend you use full length lumber for the trusses, and larger blocking. My greenhouse is 20 by 40, the largest of these type structures I have built. It is also 13 feet high from the knee wall up, but I used 16' lumber to make the full trusses. In some area's I used a belt sander to shape the blocking to the curve. A little extra work but well worth it. My greenhouse has been up 4 years now and is still doing great.And it is just covered with greenhouse plastic. If anyone is thinking about these, it only takes 4 trusses built with 10' material to build a great mower or bike shed.
I'll keep that in mind.
rubber roofing material for the front and roof instead of a tarp .It is 45 mil and is smooth and will hold up better .Plus the snow will slide off it and as sun hits it that will warm it up for melting .You can also getting ice and water shield with the grit on it .It is really sticky .Once on there is no moving it
Thanks Sissy, that's a good suggestion!
Those Gothic arches have an inherent strength so I'm not at all surprised that it is still standing.
Keep up the good work Zack, and thanks for sharing the journey with us.
Thanks a lot Sam, I appreciate that.
I see the beginning ideas for a tiny house. Of course, a good foundation is required. Just a thought . . it would have to be better reinforced, but your improvements are a starting idea.
I agree with that on multiple levels. It is a very good starting and learning point!
I agree with Lee, incredible that no one has vandalized the structure or the vehicles!
I'd be lying if I said that it's not regularly on my mind.
I see nothing wrong with your shed, good job! Cheap and serves its purpose. Enough said, job accomplished.
Thanks Jonathan I agree completely.
Looks good. be prepared as there are people that have nothing better to do than go on UA-cam and watch videos just so that they can put in bad comments and/or give a thumbs down. I am sure there are people that will say they don't like your shirt or your Garage door that is behind you. Do give a lot of weight to these folks, they have nothing better to do and are unable to do anything by themselves.
Yep, I guess trolls gotta entertain themselves too lol
Enjoyed the whole series! The fact that you were able to (basically) built from scratch and learn from trail and error was informative and educational. I'm sure there are many things you would change if you were to do it again but I'm pretty sure this one will last a long time.
Think I'll subscribe just in case you have more updates. 👍
Awesome! glad to have you. I am compiling a list of "lessons learned" to point out the things that I'll do differently next time.
Totally cool. Props! If you're done - great. It will be a truly long term structure if you do 2 more things (IMHO). Put something like a metal roof on it, which would genuinely protect the structure. Simply put rolled tar paper (the black stuff) under first as a vapor barrier, starting at the bottom using staples, then overlapping as you go. Then screw in metal roofing. Of course this means extra money, but your work is worth saving! I've even found buildings being torn down that I got metal roofing from, just had to make sure to use the existing screw holes and large enough grommets. Anyway, lastly, I would dig under the 'sill plate' at a few locations and slowly jack each side up, then put a concrete block under each arch, with a small piece of roofing between the block and the 'sill'. If that sill is on the ground more than a year or so, the bugs and moisture will begin ruining all your hard work... Anyway, I appreciate your honesty, creativity, and humility in allowing the world to watch you learn while you go. Good job. For His Kingdom!
Thanks a lot Shaun, I appreciate the suggestion as well as the compliment!
My boat saw your videos and ask me to build one for it. We(my boat and I) are on a budget too and need a safe winter den. Nice job figuring out what to do on the fly.
Thanks a bunch Michael I think you should build one for her.
Thanks for the update, have a place that could use a structure like that for storage... and it would be in a dryer warmer climate..
I think it's a really versatile design good for a lot of things.
glad to know you have a home, from the previous videos of this series I thought you were homeless and you were going to live in that thing until you built a house. btw tarps will not last very long, I would suggest roofing asap. once those tarps start to leak that osb will soak up water like a sponge and it will start to fall apart.
lol no, I'm not homeless
Great job on the shed if you put Turtle Wax or any other Automotive wax on your tarp the snow will have less texture to cling to and will slide off easily you're welcome great video thank you for your knowledge and expertise
That's a really good idea Kevin, If this thing winds up going through another winter like this, I'll definitely consider doing that.
So far so good indeed. Holding up quite nicely. I too am surprised at the amount of snow clinging onto the high pitch; thought that'd slide straight off. Maybe the tarp has a lot of friction or something.
I think you're right that the friction of the tarp is contributing
i guess u can enjoy the extra space, plus u have a start for other improvements
That's pretty much my thought
Zack; At a glance I would estimate that the peak is roughly equal to a 12/12 pitch. Charlie (see below) suggested using corrugated metal for roofing. I too had considered that but, I think that the snow would be more likely to stick in place if the ribbing is oriented horizontally. Running it vertically would require the sheeting be pre formed, an additional expense. Rubberized sheeting commonly used on low or no pitch roofs would be the best bet. Thank's for sharing the build with us, it will help with the R n D on my own project.
Hi Don, I completely agree with your thoughts on the corrugated metal, although depending on the gauge you may get it to bend without too much trouble. At any rate, I'm glad it's useful for your R&D, that's my whole goal with making the videos :-)
Zack: Thanks for documenting the good, bad, and ugly of your build.
Anyone have experience with recycled billboard tarps in an application like this?
I need to build a temporary workshop, to keep tools set up in while I timberframe a garage/shop. It would be nice to convert the structure to a greenhouse when the garage is completed-ish. I plan to use a blown double-wall plastic covering, inflated with a low pressure electric blower, to keep the plastic from flailing itself to death in the winter wind. Some additional cross-bracing might be in order, since the sheathing won't be there to take the shear loads. A little noodling is in order!
Thanks again to all in this series who offered constructive comments.
Still standing! That's already worth the time and materials put into it!
Yessir!
Love your dry-wit, great scene of humor. I am especially impressed with your elite camera crew. Where can we all get one of those?
lol, thanks George I appreciate that. These camera people are hard to come by, some might even call them one in a million :-)
I admire you for undertaking this project. My concern was, before this episode, that it was not anchored and both ends were open. I was sure it was going to end up down in that clearing you showed. Something I found amusing was that you quote Pathageras yet don't know about 3, 4, 5? (Or multiples thereof 6, 8, 10 or 9, 12, 15. . .) And working into that corner. . . Screw the first two blocks onto it before you bow it.
Well, I know math and I'm learning building. No one had ever taught me 3,4,5 or 6,8,10 or any of its extensions.
The strength of the arch is very good the concern I would have is rot. Smaller pieces of fur rot much faster especially at ground level . Some sort of sealer like teak oil or a wood preservative would be a good idea. Also raising it up on some sort of foundation blocks will keep the wood from sitting in the mud when it rains.
Great idea I may have to copy it !
Hey Tom thanks for the suggestion, I did build it on top of foundation rocks, although maybe not as tall as I would have liked. With that said, I't's not quite sitting on the ground. My biggest blunder I think in that area is that I sheathed it with OSB all the way to the bottom so as the piled up snow stacked along the edges warms up and becomes slush I'm afraid it's going to wick up into the OSB. We'll see how it goes.
You might consider replacing the bottom row of OSB with advantech Zip System sheathing - very water and rot resistant.
Thanks for the update. As i am sure hundreds of these will be popping up in the springtime thanks to your video. Ihave the same mileage problem as you. Guess what the first structure is i plan on putting up this year is.
Thanks Rock Tech that's very flattering :-)
The Gothic arch is one of the most robust architectural concepts in history. Centuries old cathedrals in Europe still stand because they used it. Now, they're made from stone, so there is that.
But - as long as the wood you used stays free of damp and water, is even slightly rot resistant, and the glue holds up, of course.... well there's little wonder that yours withstood snow, and the elements with ease.
It was a wise choice to use it.
David
wow congratulations....glad you cross braced.. now my advice is to add more bracing next summer
Mission accomplished I'd say , good to see an update , looks great
Thank you Sir
Most will slide a 2 by 4 from brace to brace, at each spacer, - and screw these to the ribs, to make the structure strong G.L.Gillen
Nice Job
I woud seal all the ends of the plywood with a couple of layers of lacquer.
That's a very good suggestion
Thanks for the update, lm considering one of these for my northern Michigan vacation property.
Yeah regardless of whether you use my exact method or materials, I think this is a fantastic design and even at 3x the price would be a lot of bang for the buck.
throw a rope over the top length ways as close to the top as possible and pull it from both sides like a saw,,snow will fall off..do both sides obviously..simple 5 minute trick
I like that suggestion
@@ZackOfAllTrades it works.
Trick is doing that without being there... be cool to have a solar panel and small battery hooked to a pressure switch and a bit of heater wire so would melt it off when needed.. as long as leaves didnt pile up on top than itd work and maintain the battery for maybe up to 10 years:. But if leaves happened i wouldnt think itd be to good...
Job well done, Zack!
Thanks very much!
My guess is that building would withstand at least 3 times that amount of snow. I have a car port with not even a 1/12 pitch and it survived 9 inches of snow
It's true it might.
ready to see the next video of the finish or continuation .great videos all of them,explained things to were I could understand .thanks,glad for no music also ,didn't come to here music thank.
Hey Jimmy thanks for watching, I hope you found the "Lessons Learned" video I just uploaded on the subject.
70's Nautique? I expected to see a fishing boat! It looks to be in great condition. I am sure it thanks you for the shed! Whatever the cost!
We don’t get snow in my part of the world 🇦🇺 but im thinking the pitch of the roof where the snow is should be ok? Surely your typical house roof isn’t steeper? Maybe it’s a function of the tarp surface that snow is still hanging in there? A metal surface could present a slipperier surface to snow? 🤔🤔 I like what you’ve done and your videos are a pleasure to follow 😊😊
I’d love to do something like this but the economics aren’t feasible here. It’s considered a fixed structure by local governance and is subject to engineering and approval ($$$ 🙄🙄). By the time you’ve jumped through the hoops, a shipping container makes for a cheaper proposition. And it could handle snow even if it did snow here 😄😄
Yeah local laws are why I restricted this to >300sq ft and don't plan a loft. Over 300 sq ft is where I start needing building permits and drawings, engineering and such.
Good for you!!!!! Well thought out and very enjoyable to watch
Thank you very much for that. It was a lot of fund to build.
You are success! Your building is awesome and your green screen backgrounds make me laugh.
Lol, me too!
Glad it's still standing, I've seen so many Quonset style buildings collapsed during heavy snow. Best of luck with it.
Thanks Tim
I was gonna ask what kind of tiny animal was running away from your shed in the last shot, but it was a spot on my screen.
LOL
I need a garage to work on equipment, I need to go back and rewatch original videos!
I think this is a good alternative, time will tell how long/ well it holds up.
Since you had already sheeted with OSB I wonder about using corrugated metal on the outside, granted it would drive the price up but it would contribute to the longevity of the building.
yeah I think that'd be a good route to go.
Sheet steel roofing would go well there. Comes in lgths of up to 16 ft, is easy to cut to size w/ circ saw, has a bit of a weight advantage over corrugated, will add to structure rigidity and, in the Northeast, can be bought at auction (Lambrecht, for one) pretty reasonably and in a range of colors during off season colder months.
Before buying sheet steel roofing for a project like this, be sure to double check that it is a roofing style that will bend suitably for the arch.
A friend bought a bunch of surplus steel roofing material off a company for a similar project, hauled it the better part of a day up to the camp, and 'surprise!' it was a heavily ribbed semi structural roof panel system, which was not going to bend to an arch roof.
Awesome job, had no doubt it would still be up! Keep up the good work.
Thanks Tim :-)
This is a tried-and-true design it's been around for quite a while I would wager that even without your gussets and braces the structure would still be standing those homemade curved beams are what secure the building definitely the cross braces and beams help with stability but I still believe without them the building would stand and hold a snow load
You're probably right!
Where is that located my friend? I am from Canada and I have had challenges with collapsing car ports. Your peak sides sparked my interest. I find your design refreshing and the cost pleasing.
Best I can say is it's located in the Northern US and after this winter which was pretty heavy on snow for us I think this is a very feasible design.
About your snow problem on the roof of the $500 She'd. And this has probably already been suggested but could you tarp over your open end (temporarily) and put some form of heater (kerosene) inside. Just to build enough heat to melt the bottom layer of snow, so it would slide off.
I suppose I could, except I live 1000 miles away so it's gotta just handle it (i hope)
Cool series. Well done. Gave me lots of ideas!
If it gave you ideas, I'll consider it a twofold success!!
Wow - your green screen skills are AMAZING! I really want to build one to keep my bobcat in, and one for my Dad as well. I planted the seeds in his head to think about it as a design alternative.
Don't think it will hold a Bobcat, especially an angry one, might hold your Dad, not judging though. haha :)
lol
Thanks Andrew, I'm not sure to take that as literal or sarcasm but it was said very kindly so either way It's a compliment :-) I'm feeling really good about this type of structure as a good place to store equipment, it's what I plan to build again once I start accumulating said equipment.
My Dad decline the shed idea - he has his own plan in his head, and there is no shaking it - especially since he already has the pieces to make it.
I still have ideas of putting one up for the skid steer loader (aka bobcat). I'm tossing around an idea of putting in some 4x4 posts to anchor it. They would only stick out of the ground about 4 inches +/-. That will help me level the business and anchor it tight and square - without creating any direct contact with the ground. Floor can remain dirt because a bobcat never wipes it feet on the way in anyway.
Great job and thanks for the update.. I gotta build one this summer
Thanks Tommy!
Nice. I have been following your build, I plan to build a shed in much the same way.
Thanks Ray
I subscribed after watching the build videos. I have to admit, that I am one who thought (but didn't post) that it would collapse or blow away. The cross ties help imensely as does the cross bracing. Wet snow weighs significantly more, so hopefully, it does slide off. Fortunately, if it does collapse, the structure shouldn't cause any damage to the truck or boat.
Bill I respect your forthrightness, as well as your restraint in piling on with the rest who envisioned doom lol. The jury's still out, and as I once read, "failure is not an option, but it is a possibility" but I have a pretty good feeling about this :-)
Zack Of All Trades I think this is a case of factors of safety. Building codes are designed to handle more than the worst possible case that you will exerience in a given area. So, my roof has to be strong enough to handle 5' of snow even though the biggest storm we ever had was only 39" of snow. And most typical winters only see 12' or less at any one time. So, your strucure will obviously stand up to some and might stand up to all. However, there is a breakpoint somewhere in there.
I would spray some kind of protectant on the exposed wood to prevent rotting.
It certainly would prolong it's life.
Those thin boards will rot much faster than you think like a couple of winters.
I don’t think the smoothness or lack there of has anything to do with accumulation of snow, it’s sticking becuz the underside temperature and top (outside) temperature are the same. Picture a wet tarp that then freezes, creating a film of ice, then it snows and gives a surface for more snow to “stick” to. If interior warmth was allowed to permeate thru the top then snow & ice wouldn’t accumulate. Ever notice how some rooftops have more snow on them than others in the same neighborhood? The ones with a lot of snow are better insulated than the others, the insulation does its job of keeping the heat inside the house.
Hello! Witch camcoder do you thanks at the end? , please. Merci
I film exclusively with my iPhone 7Plus and my elite camera crew was filming with an iPad mini
Very interesting build. Are you going to paint the wood? I don't know about that climate but here in South Texas a plastic tarp will hold in a lot of moisture. Just some thoughts. Enjoyed the videos
Thanks Louis, at this point I don't really plan on painting it. We'll see how things go.
Where did you get the large green tarp? Awesome series.
Thanks Alex, I got it from the local farm/garden store.
There is not a lot of snow here in Oz but it does get really windy sometimes but I am gonna give you method a crack and see ifn it works.
I think If I was building it to withstand a windy environment, I'd do a few things. Beef up the gussets at the top (double sided at minimum) cross bracing throughout and firmly affix it to terra firma via screw anchors or some other method. with those things done, I don't see why it wouldnt do just fine.
I would add some anchors so the whole thing doesn't blow away in a stiff wind.
There are some there that I didnt get on video.
Do you think this could support a loft built inside it? Great videos.
Hi Trent, I woud be a little hesitant to put a loft in it as shown. I you were to maybe double the arches I think it would do fine (just my opinion)
Great video Brother... I subscribed!!!
Congrats on your awesome build and your determination to get it done! >;-)
Thanks very much!
I wonder how it will do in a storm with 60mph wind gusts? If it survives I may have to build one my self
Go ahead and get started, it weathered a storm of that nature about 3 weeks after it was built.
notice how you have no dislikes. you did amazing job
I would love to know if/what you would do differently, if you were to Bild more of them.
Mark you're the second one to suggest that today, I will absolutely do that.
i was wondering if something like car wax would augment the snow shedding ability of the tarp.
I think that it would, just didn't think of that at the time
It will stay up Zac.
I think so :-)
Zack Of All Trades Viagra helps, just rub it on the wood....😂
Womp Womp
Great job bro. It works and thats all that counts.
Thanks Shred I agree.
Never. Underestimate. The. Arch.
Silicone spray on your tarp would make the snow slide right off. Bet it wouldn't collect an inch. Too bad silicone application only lasts about a month. Some tarps have more or less texture. You want zero texture if possible. Maybe cover your existing heavy tarps with with very thin (.5-1 mil), slick, cheap poly sheeting used by tight wad painters. It wold last a year or 2, but is very inexpensive. Great project Zack!
thats a great idea of the poly over the tarp. Thanks Bob.
Nice project. I like it a lot!
Thanks Jeff!
“Hey, don’t worry about the nay sayers”
That’s code for “f*ck the haters.”
You rock!
Lol, thanks asysz. Haters gonna hate
Snow helps to keep it from blowing away :D
lol I suppose so
Success!!
? Snow near the peak? Could it that heat near the top would have slightly warmed the snow to and refreeze at night, and crystallized causing increased friction to prevent sliding?
You, Sir, are a thinker!! I would be that is a contributor to the remaining snow.
The Romans were especially instructive historically demonstrating that the arch, with proper strength and gussets over longer spans can bear great weight over long periods. (But i wonder if they ever considered unsealed OSB, the danger of the sheer weakness of screws over heavier nails or qualified architectural screws which are not prone to sheering under dynamic load?) hmmmmm....things that puzzled great builders throughout the early 19thC to today..... Keep on keeping on! If it works, the detractors were wrong!
lol yeah I don't think the Romans used OSB, unless compacted cow dung counts, no maybe that was the Brits in the dark ages. I agree wholeheartedly with your last statement! Thanks for watching
Nice build, keep it anchored!
Indeed!
Great news! Thanks for the update
Isnt it though?!?!