DIY workshop shelter

[microhaven]

Hey, I'm kicking off a weekend project to put up a small 8'x20' workshop shelter. I'm planning to try something different and use fencing instead of rafters for the roof. I'm trying to figure out the best way to support the ridge beam without using a ton of lumber. Do you think king posts with some bracing would do the job? Any advice would be great

 

[eDJ_]

My suggestion would be to build six 2x4 triangles and set them every 4 feet apart so that one is at both ends and the others would give your walls needed strength at the top. The bottom 2x4 could be made with 10 ft pieces so you would have a little overhang on either side. Then you would need some boards to tie the 6 "trusses together. Your trusses may have 5 foot slopes with a single 15 inch piece of 2x4 at the center giving a 3 inch per foot slope.

For the roofing you may want to investigate using corrugated sheet metal as it is light in weight. You may not need as many cross boards as is shown in this photo.

Much of the strength of a rectangular built room will need to be in the corners and the lower 1/4 of the wall.

 

[green ninja]

I think that's okay. A king post truss is a simple and structural support for the ridge beam, especially for a span of that size. It's an efficient material because it uses a single vertical post in the center to support the ridge, which transfers the load down to the base of the truss.

@eDJ_ recommendation can also work.

 

[ferrari.father]

King posts with proper bracing should work for an 8'x20' span, if your roof isn't super heavy

 

[Dieg$]

If you are looking to save on lumber, you might want to consider using smaller but well anchored posts that can give you strength without overbuilding. It could help to include collar ties or a couple of cross members to keep the structure from sagging over time.