Shed roofs, also known as skillion roofs, are a popular choice for small and modern home designs. This simple, sloped roof style pairs well with compact floor plans to create cozy yet contemporary living spaces.
In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively use shed roofs on small homes. We’ll look at the benefits of shed roofs for small houses, provide design tips, and showcase beautiful examples of small shed roof homes.
What is a Shed Roof?
A shed roof refers to a single-slope roof that pitches in one direction. The slope is not very steep, usually around 1/4 to 1/3 pitch. Shed roofs have just one side that meets the top of the exterior walls. The other side extends out past the walls, typically with exposed rafters.
Unlike complex multi-slope roofs, shed roofs have no ridges or valleys. Their simplicity and low pitch make them cost-effective to build. Shed roofs are also called skillion roofs, lean-to roofs, or pent roofs. They are common on sheds, hence the name.
Benefits of Shed Roofs on Small Homes
There are several reasons why shed roofs work exceptionally well for small houses
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Maximize space: Shed roofs allow more usable living space under the slope compared to tall A-frame roofs. The gentle slope lets you fit a loft or half-story.
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Contemporary style: The lean, sloped silhouette has a modern, minimalist look fitting small modern homes.
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Increased natural light: Shed roofs create large openings for skylights along the high side. This fills interiors with natural light.
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Eco-friendly: Simple shed roofs require less building material than multi-slope roofs. They support eco-friendly solar panels.
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Easy to build: The straightforward framing and lack of complex joints reduce construction time and cost.
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Good drainage: Shed roofs shed water efficiently off the sloped side. Large overhangs protect walls from precipitation.
In short, shed roofs maximize liveable space, lighting, and aesthetic appeal on a small footprint. Next, we’ll look at design considerations for successfully implementing this roof style.
Tips for Designing Shed Roofs on Small Homes
Here are some key factors to consider when planning a shed roof for a compact house:
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Roof height: The tallest portion of the roof should not overwhelm the home’s proportions. Keep heights modest, with ceilings close to standard room height.
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Overhangs: A generous overhang extending 2+ feet past walls provides shade and keeps walls dry. Support overhangs with exposed rafters for a modern touch.
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Drainage: Sloping the roof properly carries water away from entryways. Add gutters along the low roof edge if needed.
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Structural support: Consult an engineer on the best framing and roof pitch for your climate’s wind and snow loads.
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Skylights and windows: Place high transom windows and skylights along the high side of the roof to get light deep into interiors.
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Insulation: Properly insulate shed roof assemblies to prevent condensation and energy loss.
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HVAC planning: Account for HVAC systems with venting and ductwork in the sloped roof.
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Solar integration: Shed roofs work well for south-facing solar installations. Allow room for future solar panels.
With smart structural and layout planning, shed roofs maximize space and performance on any small home.
One Story Shed Roof Home Ideas
One story homes take full advantage of the spacious, open feel shed roofs create. Here are some one-story shed roof design ideas:
Open Concept Layout
A shed roof enhances airy, connected living in an open floor plan. Use the roof’s shape to define zones like an eat-in kitchen flowing into the living room.
Lofted Space
Fit a loft, half-story, or interior balcony under the slope for a sleeping or studio space while keeping the home compact.
Extended Eaves
Extending the eaves 2-3 feet past walls provides shade and charming architectural details. Support long eaves with exposed rafter tails.
Skylights
Strategically placed skylights and clerestory windows in the high roof sides maximize natural light in the interior.
Covered Patio
Continue the slope past rear walls to cover a patio or outdoor living area, protecting it from sun and rain.
Garage Integration
Incorporate the shed roofline into an attached garage, library, or accessory unit for a seamless look.
With smart layout choices, a simple shed roof can make a small one-story home feel open, airy, and filled with natural light.
Two Story Shed Roof Home Design
While less common than one-story versions, shed roofs also suit two-story homes, especially modern ones. Here are some two-story shed roof design ideas:
Upper Level Deck
A shed roof’s upper portion can cover a balcony or deck off upper level rooms. Doorways open onto the outdoor space.
Full-Height Windows
Tall windows in the high gable walls flood interiors with natural light and create an airy, spacious feel.
Entryway Integration
Use the shed roofline to define and cover front entryways. This adds weather protection without a separate porch roof.
Dormers
Shed dormers with their own mini shed roofs can provide light, ventilation, and headroom in upper level rooms without complex roof framing.
Clerestory Windows
Upper windows placed high on the sloped walls, called clerestory windows, enhance natural light in both levels.
Mixed Roof Styles
Combine a front-facing shed roof with other roof styles on rear portions for visual interest.
With thoughtful design, a two-story home can take advantage of the practical benefits and modern style of a shed roof.
Inspiring Examples of Small Shed Roof Homes
Looking at actual home examples helps inspire shed roof design ideas. Here are several stunning small homes using shed roofs:
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This single-story shed roof home has an inviting, covered entryway and extended eaves supported by exposed rafters. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of natural light.
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Here’s an elegant two-story home combining a shed roof on the entry facade with hipped roofs on other portions. The upper balcony benefits from the high sloped roof.
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This compact shed roof home features clerestory windows tucked under the high side of the roof for interior daylighting. An extended patio creates outdoor living space.
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With breezy deck spaces and multiple skylights, this shed roof home envelops occupants with indoor-outdoor living and ample natural light.
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A charming cottage look comes from combining the shed roofline on this home with board-and-batten siding. Dormer windows add ventilation.
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Exposed wood beam supports add structural detail under the shed roofline of this rustic cabin retreat nestled beautifully into its wooded site.
There are endless possibilities for putting your own signature on a shed roof home design. Choose finishes and layouts that complement your lifestyle. The simple shed roof adapts well to both traditional and contemporary architectural styles.
A shed roof’s clean lines, sloped geometry, and spatial benefits make an ideal match for a small home. Use smart design techniques to maximize usable living area, natural daylight, and outward views from within.
Coordinate the shed roof shape with complimentary facade materials and windows for a cohesive look. Blend the indoors with outdoor living areas under the eaves.
With an imaginative floor plan and some design inspiration, a basic shed roof can transform a modest home into a spacious, modern living environment.
Shed House Plans design is expressed with playful roof design that is asymmetric. These type of roofs are a great choice for mounting solar panels.
- Reduced clutter and a great place for storage. We all have a lot of stuff that we might not have a good place to store it. You can store things outside right where you need them if you don’t have a garage and add a shed. From lawnmowers and weed eaters to kids’ outdoor toys, a shed is a great place to keep all of these things. Put all of the kids’ toys away in the shed so they aren’t all over the yard. Sheds are also great places to store outdoor furniture and decorations for the winter. No matter what you have outside, a shed is the best place to store it. It will also keep your yard and other outdoor areas looking nice.
- Added value – more bang for your buck. The shed guest house plans not only keep your things safe, but they also give you a lot for your money. They don’t cost a lot of money and make your home much more valuable. People who are looking to buy a house will like this extra storage space. This would be a benefit to many home buyers.
- Aesthetically pleasing. Sheds are nice to look at and will give you a place to store a lot of your stuff. This is especially true if they match the house on the land because they look great together. The shed looks nice, and it keeps junk from lying around without a place to go. Overall, sheds are a cheap and easy way for many homeowners to add on to their homes.
75 Small Exterior Home With A Shed Roof Design Ideas You’ll Love ⭐️
FAQ
Are shed roof houses cheaper to build?
What is the easiest shed roof design?
What is the cheapest option for a shed roof?
What are shed style roof disadvantages?
What is a shed roof design?
This stylish, shed roof design gives you a fully featured home without the hassle and maintenance concerns of a much larger floor plan. You’ll get everything you need in a one story modern house plan. Coming into the home from the front porch, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the living area.
What is a house plan shed roof?
A house plan shed roof, also known as a lean-to roof, is a simple and cost-effective roofing system characterized by a single sloping surface. Unlike traditional roofs with complex angles and multiple slopes, shed roofs have a single, inclined plane extending from the top of the building to its lower edge.
Do shed home plans have a single angle roof?
Shed style house plans all have at least one thing in common- the single angle style roof. All the roofs in shed home plans are on a single plane, sloping in one direction. There are often several roofs, sloping in different directions. Beyond this commonality, there is a whole list of benefits of shed home plans.
What is a shed house plan?
Shed House Plans design is expressed with playful roof design that is asymmetric. These type of roofs are a great choice for mounting solar panels. One often overlooked aspect of building a house is the simplicity of overall design.
Are shed home plans sloping?
All the roofs in shed home plans are on a single plane, sloping in one direction. There are often several roofs, sloping in different directions. Beyond this commonality, there is a whole list of benefits of shed home plans. Historically, these houses and the plans that built them came about in the 1960s.
Why should you choose a simple shed house plan?
Simple shed house plans helps to reduce overall construction cost as the house style is expressed in simplified roof design. Normally this type of home will have few separate roofs that are sloping towards different direction. Comparing to the gable roof design, shed house roof would require less construction materials, making it cheaper to build.