A shed style roof has a single face that slopes down along the entire surface of the building. It can be considered a modified flat roof, in that it utilizes a flat surface, but angles it to allow rainwater and snow to slide off the roof surface.
Of the many roof styles available, the shed style roof has the fewest components, and, therefore, it is the most inexpensive roof to build. Flat roofs do not need expensive flashings and have no hips or valleys to construct, so the cost is lower than other styles, according to the Front Porch Ideas And More website.
The more sides a roof has, the more complicated the construction must be. For instance, the gable roof has two sides that meet at the top in a triangular shape. Gambrel roofs have a bell shape that requires intricate framing to hold the roof design. A hip roof has a pyramid shape that must be accommodated with internal framing. Shed style roofs are much simpler to construct. Shed style roofs generally rest on a beam that raises one side of the roof to a higher level. The single surface slopes gently downward to rest on the opposite side. Shed roofs may attach to other buildings with a different type of roof or may be freestanding on separate buildings.
One of the great advantages of the shed style roof is its versatility. It can be used for almost any type of addition, attaching to the main building and covering the added area. A shed roof can be used to cover a garden shed, lawn equipment shed, storage shed, doghouse or any other type of animal shelter. It makes an easy and effective cover for firewood and other materials. Shed style roofs often are used to cover porch areas on the front or back of homes, according to the Home Improvement Helper website. The ends may be covered or open on a shed roof, making it a useful design for many types of outbuildings on your property. The long, flat lines of the shed style roof also adapt well to green building designs that use solar panels to generate electricity.