Originally Posted by
scratchin dog
I use Tuftex Translucent Smoke Corrugated Polycarbonate Roof Panels from Lowe's. They come in 8 foot or 12 foot long by 26 inches wide. They are also available in clear or opaque. I prefer the translucent smoke ones because they let the light in yet the kennels stay relatively cool in the summer sun.
The panels sit on a wooden frame that gets clamped to the top of the kennel panels. Wood supports are used in between the beams of the frame due to the heavy snow we get here. Painted, galvanized steel screws with neoprene washers are used to attach the panels to the wood beams. They keep the rain or melting snow from leaking into the kennel. Besides keeping the kennels dry from rain or snow the panels keep debris like falling leaves, small branches or acorns etc, from falling into the kennels. So far they have held up very well under the snow, however I try to push the snow off as soon as I can. Another advantage is that these panels wont rust like the tin roofing eventually will.
My smaller 6' x 8' kennels have a flat roof. The larger 10' x 12' kennel has a slanted roof to help the rain water drain off. I was even toying with the idea of attaching a gutter and drain pipe to divert the water from the kennel. So far I haven't had to use it. I haven't had any problem with rain running back into the kennel.
The only disadvantage would be cost but that would vary on the size of the kennel and how much overhang you use. I have enough of an overhang so I don't have to stand in the rain while opening or closing kennels to feed the dogs.
Here are some pics:
The first pic shows the cross beams without the supports attached yet. You can see there's already leaves and nuts sitting on the panels that would have ended up in the kennel if I used a fence roof. The second pic is from last year's huge snowfall. Third pic you can see that sunlight does come in the kennel.
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