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Bee Hive building & a place to share howto's on equipment
 #10361  by derekmroberts
 23 Mar 2021, 14:25
HI

I want to make some new roofs for my Nationals. I like a deep roof (it gets windy up here) and the commercially available ones are pricey. However my timber is a bit thicker than the usual 10mm cedar (all good insulation and the weight is fine) but that means the roof is wider than standard. Hence the metal roofs from the suppliers wont fit.

Any suggestions / experience on the best stuff to cover them with?

Derek
 #10362  by Alfred
 23 Mar 2021, 15:34
You can get galvanised sheet cut to order and cut the corner folds yourself with tin snips but at great cost.
I've made one from pond liner offcut- 25 year guarantee but you can't rest your smoker on it!
Image
I've heard of the square plastic gravel trays (used by potted plant fanatics ) being employed for the purpose, but I use mine for cleaning qx.
I've got some re-allocated 'road closed' signs ready for my next pair ;)
You're right about the timber thickness as most covers are for 1/2" timber but wider forms are available if you look hard enough
and ask the vendors for exact measurements profusely.
I have one with 19mm thickness timber so they do exist.
If you strap the roof on you won't need the extra depth to hold it on??
 #10365  by Chrisbarlow
 23 Mar 2021, 17:56
People use aluminum sheets from printers

I've used visqueen before now to great effect

I've used roofing felt as well

I've also seen pond liner used

I make roofs out of correx, look at the apiarist website for detailed instructions.
 #10366  by Patrick
 23 Mar 2021, 18:10
I usually have a roll of heavy duty roofing felt knocking about so just use that for home made nucs or spare roofs. Also good on bee sheds.
 #10373  by MickBBKA
 24 Mar 2021, 01:01
I use galvanised steel that I get from a mate, job for job rate. But I have found old Lino from the bathroom brilliant in a fix.
 #10377  by Chrisbarlow
 24 Mar 2021, 09:38
MickBBKA wrote:
24 Mar 2021, 01:01
I use galvanised steel that I get from a mate, job for job rate. But I have found old Lino from the bathroom brilliant in a fix.
Never thought of lino. Great idea
 #10378  by Steve 1972
 24 Mar 2021, 17:48
Old rotten scrap caravans have loads of aluminum on them which is easy to work with.
 #10382  by Alfred
 24 Mar 2021, 19:03
Doesn't have to be old caravans either.
My clandestine visits to campsites can yield nice new materials
The occupants wake up nursing a hangover and a 535 square mm sunroof
It's a win-win ;)
 #10387  by AdamD
 24 Mar 2021, 20:39
Thanks Alfred, I'll remember that tip! ;)
 #10388  by Steve 1972
 24 Mar 2021, 22:08
I Hope you are my prison cell Adam..that way we can talk about where we went wrong.. :D
Last edited by Steve 1972 on 24 Mar 2021, 22:14, edited 1 time in total.