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Glossary

Shed Roof

Shed Roof

A shed roof is a flat roof that slopes down in one single direction. You often see this simple roof shape on home additions, porches, and backyard sheds. It sheds water easily and costs less to build than a complex roof.

Reviewed by Hank AshUpdated July 4, 20263 min read

Origin

The name comes from its traditional use on simple storage sheds. Builders also call it a skillion roof, which comes from an old English word for a small addition.

How you'll see it used

  • A roofing contractor's estimate notes an extra charge for rubber membrane material because the shed roof over the sunroom has a very low slope.
  • Your home inspection report points out that the metal flashing where the porch's shed roof meets the main house siding needs to be resealed to prevent water damage.
  • Your builder suggests using a shed roof for your new garage to keep the construction costs down and easily match the modern look of your house.

What is a shed roof?

A shed roof is a flat roof that slopes down in one single direction. It does not have a peak or a ridge like a standard triangle-shaped roof. Instead, it looks like a flat roof that someone tilted up on one side. You often see this simple roof shape on home additions, porches, and backyard sheds. Builders sometimes call it a skillion roof. That name comes from an old English word for a small addition. The steepness of the slope can vary. Some shed roofs are almost flat, while others have a very sharp tilt.

Why a shed roof matters to you

A shed roof is usually the cheapest and easiest roof to build. It uses fewer materials than a complex roof with multiple peaks and valleys. This simple design means fewer places for leaks to start. The single slope sheds rain and snow very easily. Water just runs straight down and off the edge.

A shed roof can also give you more headroom inside. The high side of the roof leaves plenty of space for large windows. This lets a lot of natural light into your room. If the high side faces south, a shed roof is a great place to install solar panels. The single, wide-open surface makes installation simple. You can learn more about energy options in our guide to Solar Panels.

Where you will find them

You will spot shed roofs all over the place once you know what to look for. When you add a room to the back of your house, a shed roof easily attaches to the existing exterior wall. Common places you will see this roof style include:

  • Sunrooms and back patio covers attached to the house.
  • Standalone garden sheds and detached garages.
  • Modern home designs using multiple slanted roofs.
  • Dormer windows that stick out from a main roof.

How it affects your home style

A shed roof can completely change the look of your house. It brings a very clean and modern feel to an older home. Many homeowners use a shed roof addition to update the style of their property. The straight lines and simple angles stand out against traditional peaked roofs.

Because a shed roof only needs one wall to be taller than the opposite wall, it creates a unique ceiling inside. You get a slanted ceiling that makes a small room feel much larger. You can use that extra wall space on the high side for tall bookshelves or extra storage. This makes a shed roof a smart choice if you want to maximize the usable space inside a new addition.

What to watch for and what it costs

The biggest thing to watch for is how steep your shed roof is. If the slope is very low, water and snow can sit on top instead of sliding off. This standing water can eventually cause leaks. You need the right roofing material for a low slope. Regular asphalt shingles do not work well on very flat shed roofs. You usually need rolled roofing, rubber membranes, or metal panels. You can read more about these materials in our Roofing section.

Always keep the gutters clean on the low edge of a shed roof. Since all the water runs to one single side, a clogged gutter will overflow very quickly and can rot the wood on the edge of your roof.

Building or replacing a shed roof is generally affordable. Replacing the shingles or membrane on a small porch or addition typically costs $1,500 to $4,500. Building a brand new shed roof structure for an addition might run $3,000 to $8,000. These ranges vary widely based on your local labor rates and the materials you choose.

Frequently asked

Can I put regular shingles on a shed roof?

It depends entirely on how steep the slope is. If the roof is nearly flat, regular shingles will let water seep underneath. You will need a seamless material like rolled roofing or metal instead.

Why is my shed roof leaking where it meets the house?

The spot where a shed roof attaches to an existing wall is a very common place for leaks. The metal flashing that covers this joint often comes loose or rusts over time. A roofer can easily replace this flashing to stop the leak.

Are shed roofs good for snowy climates?

Yes, they can be great for snow if they have a steep enough slope. The snow simply slides off the single slanted side. However, a very flat shed roof will hold heavy snow and might need to be shoveled to prevent structural damage.

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