Adding a Deck Roof
Decks offer an outdoor living space that allows the entire family to gather outside as well as inside. Most decks or patios are open to the elements and cannot be used during rain or other bad weather. By adding a roof to a deck, you can protect yourself from rain and excessive sun, increasing the functionality of your outdoor living space. Basic carpentry skills, and supplies from a hardware store or home center, make this project possible for do-it-yourselfers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 2-by-4 lumber
- 4-by-4 lumber
- Screw gun
- Deck screws
- 2 ladders
- Plywood
- Tar paper
- Roofing material
Instructions
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Attach 4-by-4 uprights to the existing deck structure. Uprights should be positioned over floor joists for strength. Allow for a minimum of seven feet between the deck floor and the roof. Uprights should be no more than 24 inches apart. If the deck is attached to the house, no uprights will be needed on those sides.
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Using 2-by-4 lumber, build a frame that will fit around the outside perimeter of the uprights. If the deck is against the house, attach the frame directly to the house using long deck screws. You can either build the frame on the ground and lift into place, or attach each piece to the uprights as you go. If you plan to build the frame on the ground, you will need a second person. Both people will need to climb a ladder while lifting the frame into position.
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Mount 2-by-4 joists in the frame next to each upright. Secure the joists to the frame and the uprights. Joists are typically run parallel to the shortest dimension of the deck, which usually has them pointing from the house toward the yard.
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Attach plywood to the top of the joists using screws or roofing nails. Cover the plywood in tar paper using standard 1/4 inch staples or small roofing tacks. Apply desired roofing. This may include wooden or asphalt shingles, rolled roofing, or rubberized roof coatings.
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References
- Photo Credit pergola image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
