The most important part of the job when you start to build a shed is to stop and think about how do you will build a shed roof? First thing you need to consider is will there be any snow load on the roof or will I need to think about heavy wind and rain; or both? You should try to build a shed roof that will last for many years to come and will give your contents the protection they deserve.
You need to buy a detailed set of shed building plans so you can determine if the roof construction will conform to the building codes in your area. Only then can you build the roof trusses or have them fabricated by your local building supply vendor.
When the trusses are either delivered or you finish building them you need to mark the location on the top plate of the wall, at 24 inches on center. Once you have marked the locations you just nail all of them in place; it is advisable to have someone help you to hold them in place when doing this.
When you build a shed roof almost any plans will call for 5/8 inch roof decking (plywood), to tie the roof trusses together. All you need to do is screw or nail the plywood to the trusses and cover the roof with asphalt shingles and tar paper. Remember, when building a roof, the wind can catch the large pieces of decking and cause you to drop them or even cause you to fall off the roof. You need to get help to build a shed roof and stay safe.
If you know that there will be a few snow storms where you live each winter, you should build a steep pitch on your roof. That way any excess snow accumulation will just harmlessly slide off the roof. Heavy accumulations of snow can very quickly overload the strongest of structures. Believe me, you don't want to wake up after a snow storm and find a collapsed storage shed.
To build a shed roof you must always consider the color of the shingles, they should be the same as your house to be pleasing to the eyes. In some communities it is required by the building codes. You should always use quality 20 year shingles so the roof will last. You must remember that when you build a shed roof it is probably the most critical part of the structure. It must be water resistant, be able to withstand heavy loads, last as long as or longer than the shed, and it must also add to the looks of your property.