[Beaver fever]

Im building a 28 x60 shed roof style house , the front wall will be 12ft high and the back at 8 ft , giving 4ft of pitch over 28 ft with a load bearing wall at 14 ft the length of the building , I live in Ellsworth ME and I'm wondering if 16 ft 2x10's 2 ft on center would be adequate for snow load , the roof will be sheathed in 5/8 TG advantec with ice and water shield on the whole roof as well as metal roofing

Thanks
Mike

[joypulv]

4' difference in the wall heights that are 28' apart is a pitch of 1.71 in 12, or 8.13 degrees. Is that what you are planning on (technically a flat roof)?

[Beaver fever]

Yes , basically , should I go 14 and 8 ? I'd like to keep it low profile what's your take?
Thanks
Mike

[joypulv]

You can keep the low slope roof, but have to engineer the entire house framing according to local code for snow load lbs/sq ft for that slope and those spans. I believe that Maine has different codes all over the state, so you will have to talk to your building inspector. You will I'm sure be told that's a huge snow load at that slope for your town.
One way to have one side of the house higher than the other is saltbox, unless you don't like mixing styles, and plan on a wall of glass on the 12' front. But you will get into rafter lengths that are beyond lumberyard sizes, and very expensive. Many of the lumberyard employees know from what they sell (or from experience as builders) what works with the pitch you can use with standard framing.

[Beaver fever]

Thank you for the info and your time

Mike

[joypulv]

Also, beyond building codes, metal roofs can have problems (as can any roof) with moisture seeping in with long periods of snow sitting on them, not to mention moisture from inside the house working it's way out.

You just have to plan on a lot of work to have a low slope roof.