Patio Roof Tips

Partially open framing allows light and breezes to enter the patio.

The vague term "patio roof" begs for explanation and elaboration; patio roof designs, materials and construction procedures vary greatly according to appearance, function and cost. During the design phase of your patio roof project, familiarity with materials and construction options allows you to choose a patio cover that suits your home's form, your area's climate and your budget.

Choosing Foundations

Foundations distribute loads and support patio structures and roof framing. Slab foundations and post and pier foundations are common choices for patio structures. Familiar to most homeowners, slab foundations are thick, large blocks of concrete built upon a base of sand and gravel. Post and pier foundations are partially buried columns of concrete that sit beneath each patio post. While slabs provide a finished floor surface beneath a patio roof, post and pier foundations leave the earth exposed. However, concrete slabs are generally more costly in materials and labor than post and pier foundations.

Framing Options

The method that you choose to attach your patio roof framing to an existing structure affects both construction procedures and the appearance of the patio. Although acceptable construction practices vary according to local codes, attaching joists to roof fascia and attaching joists to exterior walls are common patio roof construction methods. Attaching boards directly to fascia or an eave line allows you to create a seamless extension between the old roof and new roof. Alternatively, attaching joists to a wall allows you to easily alter the height and slope of your patio roof.

Patio Roof Materials

Although many homeowners choose to match their patio's roof to their existing home, nearly all types of roofing materials are suitable for covering a patio, including shingles and tiles. A popular choice fo do-it-yourself builders and homeowners on a budget, metal and plastic roofing panels are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. Both solid color and translucent panels are available.

Sun Exposure

Before building a covered patio, it's important to consider the patio cover's affect on your home's exposure to the sun, particularly if you're building a cover over a window or sliding door. A patio cover that extends too far from a house might block sunlight year round. Although desirable during hot seasons, shade contributes to chilly temperatures during cold seasons. To find design that allows sun to enter your home during cold seasons and blocks sun during warm seasons, you can track the angle of the sun over a course of a year or receive professional assistance from an architect.

References

• University of Minnesota: Building Overhead Structures, Pergolas and Arbors
• Kansas State University Extension: Using Structures in the Garden

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish