How to Sheath and Roof an A-Frame Cabin
Installing Roof Sheathing, Underlayment, Metal Roofing, and a Skylight
Watch the Complete Build
If you'd like to watch the roofing process before reading, here's the complete build video from my YouTube channel.
Closing in the Cabin
Once all of the A-frames were standing and securely braced, it was time for one of the biggest milestones of the project.
We could finally begin enclosing the cabin.
Until this point the structure looked like little more than a skeleton.
Installing the roof sheathing transformed it into something that finally resembled a cabin.
A-frame structure ready for sheathing.
Installing the Roof Sheathing
We used 5/8-inch OSB to sheath the roof.
The first sheets required careful positioning because they established the alignment for everything that followed.
Working on an A-frame roof isn't quite like working on a conventional roof.
The steep angle means you're constantly climbing, balancing, and moving materials uphill.
Take your time and work safely.
Installing the first sheets of OSB.
Leave Expansion Gaps
One small detail that's easy to overlook is leaving a small gap between every sheet of roof sheathing.
OSB naturally expands and contracts as moisture levels change.
Using sheathing spacers helped us maintain a consistent gap across the roof.
It's a simple step that can prevent problems later.
Close-up of OSB spacing.
The Pipe Clamp That Saved the Day
One of the most valuable tools we used during this stage wasn't something I had planned on.
It was a simple pipe clamp that my dad brought along.
Some of the framing lumber had slight bows.
Instead of forcing the sheathing into place, we used the pipe clamp to pull everything perfectly straight before fastening it.
It made a tremendous difference in how tightly everything fit together.
Sometimes the simplest tools become the most valuable.
💡 Jim's Tip
If you're building with dimensional lumber, expect some boards to have a slight bow.
A pipe clamp makes it surprisingly easy to pull those boards into alignment before fastening them permanently.
It's one of those tools I wouldn't build another cabin without.
Framing the Skylight
Before installing roofing materials, we framed the opening for our skylight.
Planning this opening early allowed us to integrate it cleanly into the roof structure instead of trying to modify the framing later.
The actual skylight installation was fairly straightforward because we followed the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
The most important part wasn't installing the skylight itself.
It was installing the flashing correctly.
A properly flashed skylight sheds water around the opening and helps prevent leaks for years to come.
Installing Underlayment (Tar Paper)
Before installing the metal roofing panels, we covered the entire roof with tar paper.
Today there are several synthetic underlayments available, but at the time we chose traditional roofing felt because it was affordable, readily available, and something I was already comfortable using.
Whatever product you choose, take your time to install it correctly.
The underlayment serves as another layer of protection beneath the finished roof.
Roofing felt (tar paper) installed.
Installing the Metal Roof
With the underlayment complete, we finally started installing the metal roofing panels.
The roofing supplier cut every panel to the correct length before delivery.
That made installation much easier than cutting each panel ourselves.
They also supplied the ridge cap, trim pieces, fasteners, and everything else required to complete the roof.
Although the work involved a lot of climbing ladders and working overhead, the installation itself went smoother than I expected.
By the time we installed the ridge cap and end trim, the cabin was finally weatherproof.
It was an incredible feeling.
Installing metal roof panels.
Why We Chose Metal Roofing
Metal roofing offered several advantages for our off-grid cabin.
- Long lifespan
- Low maintenance
- Excellent snow shedding
- Lightweight compared to many roofing materials
- Attractive appearance
Living in the mountains means snow loads were an important consideration.
The smooth metal surface helps snow slide off naturally instead of accumulating throughout the winter.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, a few things stand out.
- Install sheathing carefully.
- Leave expansion gaps.
- Use pipe clamps to straighten framing.
- Pre-order roofing panels cut to length.
- Don't rush flashing around skylights.
- Work safely every step of the way.
Roofing isn't the place to hurry.
Taking your time pays off every time it rains.
Continue Building
➡️ Next Step: Floor System and Insulation
⬅️ Previous Step: Building the A-Frame Structure
🏡 Return to the Complete A-Frame Guide
Continue Exploring
📐 Download the A-Frame Construction Plans
🔨 Tools I Used to Build the A-Frame
📺 Watch the Complete A-Frame Build on YouTube
Disclaimer: This article is based on my personal experience building my own off-grid A-frame cabin. Every project is different, so always verify local building codes, site conditions, and safety requirements before beginning construction.
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