How to Plan a Porch Roof Over a Deck

A deck porch roof can be formal or extremely casual.

Constructing a covered roof area over a deck can create extra space for relaxing, cooking and entertaining. A covered space will ensure that you can use the deck on more days of the year. In most cases, you should only cover part of the deck since an open deck provides room for enjoying full sun. Plan to cover space for dining and other activities specific to the family's needs. Don't build an overly large deck cover if a small covered space will suffice.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tools
• Copy of building codes
• Building permit
• Outdoor living books
• Deck magazines
• Sketch pad
• Graph paper

Instructions

1. Measure the deck space you wish to cover. Find out if you'll need a building permit and obtain a copy of local building codes. Review home design books and magazines to see various types of covered decks. Look at choices that seem appropriate for the home. Plan to build a porch roof for a deck space that blends in with the architectural design of the house. Don't build a porch roof that overpowers the house in size.

2. Sketch several styles and sizes of a porch cover. Draw the roofline of the covered area and how it will tie into the home's roof. Consider a deck porch that has an A-frame roof, flat roof or hip roof. Sketch various amenities with the deck cover, such as an outdoor bar or privacy wall on one or two sides. Include sitting benches or planters as part of the porch design.

3. Draw the framework for the porch roof. Sketch the roof rafters on 16-inch centers. Slope the roof at a minimum of a 30-degree pitch to shed water and snow. Plan to use 2-by-6-inch pressure-treated lumber boards. Create the support posts for the porch roof from square post material that measures 8 inches by 8 inches.

4. Plan the porch roof covering materials. Consider using plywood sheathing, followed by tar paper stapled into place. Cover the roof with asphalt shingles to match the home's roof, for example. Review roof covering options such as cedar shakes or metal. Plan to use contrasting materials on the porch roof, such as green or gray metal, if matching the home's exact roofing materials is difficult.

5. Use graph paper to define the exact porch roof space over the deck. Draw the porch space to scale, so you can plan every detail for the building phase. Allow one square of graph paper to represent 6 inches of actual space. Be sure to include all amenities in the drawings, such as any porch railings that you will incorporate.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan to stain or paint all exposed wood to complement the house trim.

• Secure the porch structure to the deck with angle iron at the bottom of the support posts holding up the porch's roof. Attach the porch roof to the house framework with bolts versus nails or screws. Strong winds can quickly dismantle a structure that is not tightly secured.

• Don't add a fireplace or fire pit to a covered porch over a deck. The wooden base flooring makes the area too vulnerable to fire.

References

• Rustic Girls: Deck Covers and Awnings
• Tip Deck: How to Build a Patio Cover
• Deck Plan Info: Deck Overheads

Resources

• Extreme How To: Build a Deck Sunroof
• City of Elko: Deck/Porch Plan Submittal Requirement Checklist