[reible]

I have been thinking I would like to build a mini silo for the backyard. It would be more of a shed that looks like a silo. The purpose would be to store garden tools like shovels, rakes, maybe grass clippers and other smaller items. It would be maybe 4 feet in dia. and some pleasing height to make it look like a silo. I've attached a picture of the kind I'm talking about.

I've make some sketches but then came the roof........ I'm at a stand still because I just don't see any simple way to make it. I thought about cutting circles and stacking them on top of one another then sanding the dome shape but then that would be a lot of work and how would I protect it from the weather....... Next idea was fiberglass.... still a lot of messy work and expense. Sheet metal...... no tools and I mean no tools like a layout tool so this would be a drafting table design and lots of time to figure all that out by hand (3d- design tools with sheetmetal add ons are $$). I even looked at a toy store to see if anyone had a sandbox cover that was the right shape.........

So ideas? Think simple, quick, cheap weather proof........

Ed

 

[BobandRick]

How about cutting 4- 3/4" plywood trusses in the outside circle shape include the cross-lap joint to joint the trusses together. Then stand on edge and assemble the cross lap joints to make the outside dome shape. Use blocking between the trusses to make equal spacing and used to place the roofing material. Next cut 1/4" plywood into pie shaped pieces that are equally layed out to match the shape and follow the shape of the plywood trusses. To keep the rain out use roll roofing material to make pie shaped triangle shingles with an over lap to cover the nails. Spot tab with tar each nail then overlap the next shingle until you have completly gone around your shed.

That is how I would do it.

Rick

 

[Mike]

Ed, Another possible way to create your dome is to go the geodesic route. This would be very light weight and plenty strong. Once the dome shape is in place you could use teardrop shaped pieces of sheet metal and overlap them on one edge until you had circled the top. The tear drop shape is close to perfect for making maximum use of sheet stock.
Another thought is building a graduated set of rings from 1x1 stock and topping them with cedar shingles. Under either of these designs you could apply a sheet of rubber roofing membrane.

 

[fibertech]

The Geodesic shape is 5- sided. Picture a soccer ball. You are right with the drafting design.

 

[Visteonguy]

I remember seeing some of the very old silos here in Michigan farm country that did not have the perfectly half round tops associated with silos you see now.
They consisted of flat pannels, that numbered maybe 8 or more pannels, that sloped inwards and had maybe 2 tiers of them, the top tier sloping much more then lower tier and meeting in the center. Perhaps there was a very small cap over the center that I suppose you could say it was a 3'rd tier. It was a way to help seal the whole thing in the center, to the weather. The ones I remembered seeing were finnished off with old wooden shakes for shigles. The newer generations of silos had the round metal top covers that every one associates with silos. I cannot think of where they are now, around here but I am sure there are maybe a couple left,,, I just looked on GOOGLE and used their "Image" option and typed in "Old silos" ,,, there was quite a few pictures of em,, some had a rounded top that was kind of flat like a "Chinamans hat". that would not be real hard to make,, and looks kind of cool. Certinaly a lot easier then the ones that are perfectly round. The one I mentioned, would also look great since its also a focal point of a back yard because it "Looks old", and would be an interresting project to do.
But its your back yard and what you like,,, you like.. but maybe take a look on GOOGLE and maybe you will see something you like or atleast use as a image to work off from. Good luck.