The Roof

Here is where I get to fuss and complain a little about the instruction sheet.  They REALLY need more pictures to show what they are talking about.  They certainly are NOT kidding when they say you need to read the directions several times.  What they dont tell you is how to make your life easier when doing the install.  If you are building your own BH, I would like to make a few suggestions on adding the roof.

1.  Paint the trim and basics that will not be covered with panels or shingles.  This will prevent much more touch ups and reduce the OOPS factor when trying to paint after install.  This is especially true if you choose to use a multi-colored palette versus the plain white trim as shown on the box.

2.  Glue gun, glue gun, glue gun.  This is for installing the guide pieces for the curved roof.  However, white glue should also be used to reinforce the trims that will be supporting the roof panels.  Lots of pressure is put on the trim while installing and even after.  You will see why, I promise.

3.  Soak the pieces for the roof so they bend into place easier.  The kit has these pieces on thinner plywood so it is more flexible.  I am not sure if it is because my kit is old and had been in storage for a long time (in dry AZ climate), but the flat pieces were definitely not pliable enough to bend into place they way they describe in the directions.  Soaking the pieces means adding a couple of extra steps and a little more time, but it was well worth it.  You cant glue immediately because the wood is wet, but it will snap into place as described in the directions much easier.  I did my gluing the next day after it had dried completely.

4.  Buy some posterboard or something like that to make the templates of the roof pieces to be shingled.  Make the templates before you install the pieces, obviously.  I made the templates, glued on the shingles, put books on top of them overnight so they would not warp.  Then I cut the shingles to match the template and checked to make sure they fit to the roof properly.  Then I painted them and again put books on them to keep from warping as they dried (I also used wax paper to keep the sticking to the books to a minimum, which had its own pros and cons.).  When installing, use white glue to hold the centers into place.  But, I also used the glue gun to get the edges and around the windows to adhere quickly.  This is not exactly an easy roof to tape and clamp.  Once again, my hot glue gun was really my friend here!

The main thing to remember here is to take your time and try not to rush it.  If you get frustrated, find something else to do to take your mind off of it.  I still had a few of the pieces break and had to work with them to make them all fit just right.  The good news is that the shingles covered those places and there is additional trim that goes on the corners.  That plus a little wood filler will make the roof outstanding!