Where The Patio Cover Attaches To The Roof
More detail about joining the patio cover to the existing roof.
Jed Fisher
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
What Is The Roof Over A Deck Called
The roof over a deck is usually called a patio cover. This attached structure provides protection from sun and rain and can either have a solid or open roof. Pergola is another name for deck or patio roofs. This is typically characterized as an open roof thats supported by posts or columns. They provide filtered shade to outdoor living areas.
How Big Should Your Patio Cover Be
The old adage Form follows function fits perfectly when we try to answer this question. The size of your new structure will vary depending on the space it is intending to cover.; Careful consideration must be made for furniture size to ensure there is adequate circulation around any columns or posts.; Furthermore, you will need to make sure you get the desired amount of shade from you new patio cover.
In addition to length and width, height of the new patio cover will also need to be considered.; A typical arbor or covered patio can vary from eight to eleven feet tall. One of the pros of a shorter patio cover is you will be able to maximize the amount of shade. One drawback of these type of structures is it may start to feel cramped.; The higher covered patio will feel more open but you will lose some of the shade coverage.
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Diy Clear Corrugated Covered Pergola Attached To The House And An Existing Deck
Covering our deck has been on the to-do list since last year when we refinished our old deck with new paint and stain. For this project we built a DIY covered pergola attached to the house and attached to our existing deck. We then covered the DIY pergola with clear corrugated plastic roofing sheets to create a dry, sunny, outdoor living space. Here is the complete DIY tutorial for building a clear corrugated covered pergola attached to the house and an existing deck!
Frame The Walls Accurately For Smooth Assembly
Since the wall framing for this screened in porch is the finished surface, it’s worth taking a little extra time to make the framing material look good. We chose the nicest cedar 2x6s we could find and ripped them into 3-1/2-in. and 1-1/2-in. boards. We did this to create sharp, clean edges .
Cut the studs and crosspieces to length and screw the walls together . We used a power miter saw for clean, square cuts, but a circular saw will work too. Use a crosspiece as a spacer when you’re attaching the studs to the top and bottom plates. Then cut a 10-in. spacer block to position the crosspieces for assembly.
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Tips For Purchasing Materials
How Much Weight Will A Deck Support
Since all decks are different, its impossible to provide a universal answer to this question. However, theres one thing to keep in mind when youre wondering how much weight a deck will support: A deck thats properly designed will be built to hold 50 lbs per square foot. So, if you had a 100 square foot deck, it would be able to support 5,000 lbs.
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Roof Over Deck Designs
Let us know if you like any of the styles from the images in the section above. As for design, there are three main types of roofing that you can choose for your deck. They include:
- Gable Gable roofs are easier to build since they dont require complex roof framing. They have gables at each end and sloping sides.
- Hip Hip roofs are similar to gable roofs since they have sloping sides, however, theyre reconnected without using gables. On a deck roof, the supports should have a finished look since theyll be exposed rather than hidden.
- Shed This is the most common option for deck roofing because its the only one that works with the architecture for many homes.
Install The Ridge And Rafters
Cut the 2×8 roof plates. If you’re not good at calculating roof angles, start by estimating the angles and cutting the plates an extra 6 in. long. Then set them in place, remark the angles and recut them until they fit. Screw the roof plates through the roof boards into the rafters below. Next measure for the ridge, estimate the angle and cut it a little long. Trim the angle to fit and screw the ridge rafter to the first truss and roof plates. Complete the tie-in by installing a pair of rafters. The framing should be exactly 3/4 in. above the top of the trusses.
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Install Flashing In The Roof Valley
We won’t go into roofing details here . In general, cover the eaves and valley with strips of a waterproof membrane and install the sheet metal valley. Place roofing nails about 12 in. apart along the edge of the metal valley. Cut a short piece of valley metal to complete the top on each side, overlapping it about 6 in. onto the long piece.
Staple No. 15 building paper to the remainder of the porch roof, starting at the bottom and working up. Overlap each row 3 in. onto the one below. Install shingles to match the house. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for starting, overlaps and nail placement. Use 1-in.-long galvanized roofing nails to avoid nailing through the tongue-and-groove ceiling.
How To Build A Patio Cover With A Corrugated Metal Roof
Learn the basics of building a patio cover with a corrugated metal roof.;
One of the simplest and most affordable ways to add some shade and cover to your outdoor space.
One of the most basic and cost effective ways to create a great shady covered area for your patio space is a patio cover made with a corrugated metal roof.
The corrugated metal is inexpensive to purchase, lightweight to install, and provides a sturdy way to keep both the rain and hot sun off your patio.
The corrugations naturally channel the water downward along the slope of the roof either into a gutter or into the landscaping, much in the same way a sloped patio channels water away from your foundation.
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Fastening To Masonry Walls
Anchor a ledger to a masonry wall with expanding anchor bolts. Begin by marking a line across the wall for the ledgers top edge. Drill holes for the expanding anchors every 16 inches or as specified by local codes, insert the anchors, hold the ledger in place, and tap it with a hammer to indent the anchor locations on its back face.
Remove the ledger, and drill bolt holes where the bolt tips have left marks. Push or hammer the ledger back onto the bolts, recheck for level , add washers and nuts, and then tighten the bolts.
Installing The Ledger Board
First I removed the 1/4 plywood dressing right below the drip edge and saw a very solid framing 2×4 underneath, perfect for attaching the ledger board, which attaches the cover to the roof frame. The local building code required a 2×6 ledger board, which meant I had to saw off two inches of wood from the top of the bay windows box. Next, I pre-drilled 1/8 holes, 6 inches apart, in the ledger board, because it was treated lumber and the deck screws would need a little help getting started. After attaching the ledger board with 4 decking screws, I used a large staple gun to staple the phone, internet, and cable lines to it, on the inside toward the house, to better protect them from the weather.
Post hole position and completed post hole
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Installing The Clear Roof Panels
Now we were finally ready for the roof! All that prep took way more time that actually adding the roof, but I know proper prep is important .
We discovered that our house is not square on the property and made our pergola line up with the fence so it didnt look crooked. So our roofing had to be measured carefully to ensure the overhang was the proper distance all the way down.
So we measured the start and end of every 26 panel and cut each one individually. It ended up being that each panel was 1/4 longer at the back end than the front end. We put the slightly diagonal cut line against the crooked house and left the factory cut line at the overhang.
To cut the panels, we clamped a level to create our cut line and used a circular saw to run right down the edge of it. It was super quick to measure and cut each one. The sound of the saw hitting each corrugation is a little scary at first, but it cuts so clean that there is no need to worry.
After cutting we placed the beautiful clear roof panels on top of the pergola. They just sit onto the horizontal and vertical closure strips. Once in place, it is time to start securing it.
Each screw hole needs to be predrilled with a 1/4 drill bit first to allow for expansion and contraction due to change in temperatures. Without this there might be cracking and that is not desirable! So we used both sets of hands to make quick work of it.
One person predrilled the holes and the other one came in behind with the special screws.
- 195.2K
Patio Roof Addition Ideas
When building your patio roof, dont be afraid to create your own unique look. You could extend the roof of your home out in one continuous piece or you could attach it at a different level to give your roof a stepped look.
Consider making your roof large enough to cover multiple living areas and uses. You could have a cooking, dining, and lounging area. Define these spaces with the light you install and the furniture you use. You can also add a feature that is unusual but fits your personal lifestyle. How about an outdoor bar area or fireplace?
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Begin The Construction Process
Before you begin, lay the corrugated metal sheets and the ten-foot board in the backyard roughly in the pattern you may have pre-decided on.;
Step 1:;Install the ledger board.
The 2 x4 solid frame is perfect to attach the ledger board and binds the cover and the roof frame. Pre-drill holes of 1/8 at a distance of 6 inches in the ledger board to give the deck screw a start. Attach the ledger board along with the 4 decking screws.
Step 2:;Dig the post holes.
Digging the post holes can be a bit tricky. Here is what to do. Stand up a couple of posts at the edge of the roof and use a bubble level to ensure that it is perfectly straight. Measure 9 1/2 feet on the joist boards and lay them on the ground. Mark one end on the straight post and the other marking on the place where you need to dig the hole. Do this on both the edges of the ledger board and lay two joist boards of ten-foot between them.
Use angle iron or square to create the corner square. Mark the spots to lay the three post holes. The middle post hole should be at the spot where the two 10 footboards just meet. Measure from corner to corner. This will ensure that both the measurements are the same. Mark the center for the post holes and an 18 circle around it to dig an 18 deep hole.
You can dig the holes using a simple shovel. A garden hole works perfectly to compact the dirt and tamp it down to the bottom of the hole.
Step 3:;The posts should be even.
Step 4:;Assemble the frame.
Step 5:;Raise the frame.
S Of Roofs Over Decks
Another great thing about installing a roof over your deck is that you can personalize it to match your style and tastes. The pictures were showing below are just a few of the ways you can build your decks roof. Some homeowners like to have an idea in mind before scheduling an appointment with a construction company while others like to listen to the recommendations of the experts before they begin any decision-making. Take a look at the pictures below to see which ones you like. Then, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
These homeowners are in the process of building a flat roof over their free-standing deck. We cant wait to see how it turns out!
This homeowner chose a short roof with lights underneath. The lights will not only add functionality for nighttime, but theyre also aesthetically pleasing.
This homeowner chose the best of both worlds by adding a roof to their deck that still allows light in.
Were loving the look of this gable roof over the patio in their backyard. Its perfect for hanging out night and day, rain or shine.
This flat roof acts as both a covering for a section of the first-floor deck as well as a balcony for the second floor of the home. Now, thats what we call efficient.
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Getting A Building Permit For A Patio Cover
Some people said a building permit was unnecessary, while others said it was impossible to get without a contractor’s license, or that it would raise my property tax, etc. So I called the permit and licensing office and got the correct answers.
- Yes, a permit was required.
- No, it wouldn’t raise my taxes,
- As long as the property owner didn’t care if I wasn’t a licensed contractor, they didn’t either.
Getting the building permit was actually much easier than I thought. I took the plans to the towns permit and licensing office, filled out some paperwork, and the next morning I got a call and went back to the permit office to pick up and pay for the permit, which came to $85. They made a couple of alterations to the plan that not only were easy to accommodate but also made the project easier and cheaper! To prepare for the final inspection, I took pictures of each critical step to show the building inspector, which made the final inspection a snap.
Building Permit
Attaching Panels To The Frame
After the pilot holes are drilled, installing the panels is a simple task. Put the panel in place and screw each fastener into place through your pilot holes. You may want to add a small bead of caulk around the pilot hole to help make an even better seal between the roofing and fastener. When you need to install your next row of panels, overlap the roofing by several inches. Run several beads of caulk along the overlapping edges of the panel and sandwich them together to prevent leaks.
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Tips For Joining The Screened In Porch And House Roofs
If you’re not sure how to neatly join the screened in porch and house roofs:
- We recommend hiring an architect to help work out the details.
- Another option is to build a full-size mockup of a roof truss out of inexpensive and lightweight 1x4s. Figure out where the top of the wall plate would be if you built the porch according to our plans . Then support the mocked-up truss at this height to see how the porch overhang meets the roof.
- If you don’t like the way the overhangs intersect, adjust the level of the deck slightly, alter the wall height or change the width of the overhang.
- Contact your local building inspections department to find out what’s required to obtain a building permit.
- Start this process at least a month before you plan to build. This will allow enough time to work through potential problems.