Metal roof vs wood

[SevenCreeksSap]

Trying to plan a sugar shack and want some thoughts on painted metal roof vs plywood sheeting. From what I've read here the metal may have more condensation issues with dripping, but I think I prefer metal because it wont have to be shingled, and I want to match my future housing plans. Here's my current situation.
I'm building a 2 x 8 evap by adding some length to an oil tank. Got brand new pans for a good deal so had to pre-upgrade on the evap size. The tanks coming along greta but thats another thread. I'll have eventually 200-300 trees to tap. Not ready yet for a steam hood due to $$.
I started today grading and ripping stumps on the sugarbush. I'm building as I get $$ so one board at a time, and haven't started yet, but can when done grading. My goal is at least a 12 x 16 shack, and this year I feel like I'll do good to get the Posts and roof up. I may just build the walls this year out of stacked firewood unless I get a bonus or something. So back to the roof questions. I welcome any and all opinions.
1. metal vs wood- which has fewer issues.
2. Cupola - definitely want one, but again don't know about working with the metal if I go that way.
3. Does a cupola just need to be over the evap, or run the length of the roof.
4. Does a cupola come close to eliminating the condensation issue?
5. Roof pitch - would a steeper pitch allow condensation to run down the inside and drain under the eave?
6. I'll eventually want to sell syrup, so does roof type factor in to the food issue- inspections, ect?

I know, a lot of questions at once. Thanks

[3rdgen.maple]

I will try to answer them the best I can.
1. metal vs wood- which has fewer issues.
I prefer metal. I get alot of snow in a year and one less roof to shovel is a bonus. What alot of people do is put a base of wood under it to help stop the rain in the sugarhouse.

2. Cupola - definitely want one, but again don't know about working with the metal if I go that way.
You definately are going to need one with no hood and I think it is what sets apart a sugarhouse from just a building. Frame it with wood and just use the metal on the roof of the cupola just like you would on the rest of your sugarhouse.

3. Does a cupola just need to be over the evap, or run the length of the roof.
A good rule of thumb is to make the cupola size tha same as the arch size. A 2x8 evaporator and a 2x8 coulpla would be a good match, however if you are planning on a bigger evap in the future with no hood on it make the coupla bigger now instead of doing it over later.

4. Does a cupola come close to eliminating the condensation issue?
Well thats a loaded question lol. Without it wheres the steam going to exit the building? It definately helps alot but will not eliminate the irritating drops hitting you on the head. Remeber you need makeup air to replace the air going out the coupla. An open door or window will help.

5. Roof pitch - would a steeper pitch allow condensation to run down the inside and drain under the eave?
Well it will allow the snow to slide off easier for sure but the condensation is still going to follow every rafter and everytime it hits a board under the steel it will buildup and drip.

6. I'll eventually want to sell syrup, so does roof type factor in to the food issue- inspections, ect?
Not currently that Im aware of, however you will see in the near future that if you are selling any syrup to a bulk packer you will be required to run a hood over the pans, I am guessing what will follow shortly after this happens the inspectors will put it in place as well for retail sellers. Im not from Ohio though so your regs might be different than NY's

[brookledge]

If you have a wood fired evap. a metal roof is definately better. Another option is to put a 1" thick rigid insulation between the rafters. The bottom line is the steam will condensate back into water when it comes into anything cold. When there is no or little temperature differential then it won't. Like inside a hood with a preheater. The cold sap in the preheater will drip like crazy but the hood itself will not..
I personally think the insulation is better but either way the insulation or sheets of plywood is an aditional cost.
Keith

[killingworthmaple]

I read somewhere when I was making my sugar shack that metal is safer if you get a roaring fire and a hot coal lands on the roof. I don't know I have not heard of a lot of sugar houses burning down. That said I have a metal roof, it drips some if the weather is rainy or humid but not too bad I do have a 12 12 pitch and I think that helps. I found some corrigated metal roofing a Lowes that was 50% off that helped cemeted my decision at the time. Happy building

[Michael Greer]

If you stand outside the shack some night, and watch the stack while someone's loading...you'll be alarmed at how many sparks fly. Metal is the way to go, and a roof over your wood will make better firewood and keep the sparks out too.

[Brad W Wi]

I have a wood fires unit and a metal roof. I also have a free hanging hood.(not mounted on the evap) Some steam does roll out from under the hood and will condense on the inside of the metal roof if the weather conditions are right. (cold out side) I have now installed a attic fan in the shack and this takes care of that problem. Hind sight I would of liked to insulate the roof but at the time money was the problem.

[Russell Lampron]

With no hood you will still get dripped on with just metal on the roof regardless of the pitch. My roof is a 13-12 pitch and before I got my hood it was like Chinese water torture. On my next sugar house I am going to use plywood and cover that with metal.

For steam venting purposes you do want to build a cupola. Your cupola should be as big as the biggest evaporator that you may someday upgrade to.

12x16 is a good size for a 2x8 evaporator but 14x20 gives you some room for visitors, other equipment and storage. You may want to put a shed roof off of one side for wood storage. Dry wood makes a big difference in the evaporation rate.

A metal cutting blade for your circular saw makes the metal easier to work with.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Go as big as you can on the building. I have a 2x8 and a 24 x 48 building and it is none too big.

[SevenCreeksSap]

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning towards metal and hadnt thought about the insulation, I can see that helping. I'm definitely firing with wood because the property was logged before I bought it and Have more wood than I cn get to. Did get the grading done and getting ready to set a 30 ft office trailer we have for a hangout, then start on the sugarhouse. Have to design a cupola in. Does anyone know of drawn up plans for sugarhouses or is it something everyone just figures out? I haven't found much on line for how to build that in but I am fairly handy.

[killingworthmaple]

Bascoms has some plans in a booklet they sell but they are not very detailed

[SeanD]

I have a .pdf of some info and plans that UVM put out. I based my sugarhouse on one if the designs in it - including the cupola. I also scoured people's pages for photos. I don't have a photo sharing site, but I can also send you some of my pics. The .pdf is too big to post here, so send me your email and I'll send it back to you.

Sean

[lastwoodsman]

When looking for designs I just created a folder called "sugar houses" and combed this site. Just right clicked and saved the photos to the folder for later review.
I had several dozen great photos of construction and layouts including cupola construction.
It worked well for me.

Woodsman

[SevenCreeksSap]

Woodsman I can see from your photobucket that it worked for you. If I can get one looking like that I'll be a happy sapper. Good ideas.
Heading to southwest Ontario next week for some pike fishing and know a few sugarers around there. I'm going to bug them to let me look at their buildings. Do you think any syrup people up there will talk to me :lol:

[lastwoodsman]

I think just about any syruper will be more than willing to show you his or her operation. This hobby has a lot of the "salt of the earth" folks in it. You are a syruper only out of love of the hobby.
There is a lot of pride in these operations and I know as for myself I enjoy showing anyone that will listen.
Most hunt and fish, and garden so the conversation can go on for hours.
I guess we were "green" (country) before as Barbara Mandrell said----before it was cool-------------

Woodsman

[red maples]

my roof is shingled it takes alot for the an ashalt shingle to burn with a little ember. like others have said copula must be same size as the evap. and you can offset your evap from the copula just be aware that the steam will rise pretty straight up hit the roof over the evap and you will get heavy condensation in that spot and you will have a rain storm on your hands not to mention heavy mold as well. I am planning on a hood to vent into the copula soon. for now I have plastic sheeting draining into a section of gutter not the prettiest thing but it works for now!!!

[lastwoodsman]

I put 1/2 inch plywood in the roof prior to putting the steel roof on. I never had a drip come down from the roof. I don't worry about mold or damage as it is only used for three weeks a year and then sits dry for the rest of the year.
I will say the steam boils out of the cupula though. Anything larger than my 2x6 and I would have to make some modifications.
for me it is a hobby that pays back a little cash--breakeven is my goal anything more is gravy.

Woodsman