How Can I Build A Sturdy But Inexpensive Roof Over My Deck
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas if you can’t afford to build a roof over your deck what else would work? We live in missouri so we get all 4 seasons any help will be appreciated Thank you Tee
- Gk on Sep 20, 2019
Depending on the size of your deck you could add a lean to type of roof that is attached to your house. Something similar to what I have pictured. You could eliminate the screens/door as shown in the picture. It is hard to add a roof to an existing deck inexpensively.
- on Sep 20, 2019
Hi Tee,
First you have to make sure that your local building codes allow you to add a roof to an existing deck. You might wonder why, I know that I wondered about that myself. The reason is that decks that aren’t originally built to have a roof may not be able to handle the weight of the roof . That means that it could come crashing down so it’s a safety code, among other things. Here’s an article that explains that issue and what might be done to fix it, but it doesn’t sound like it will be inexpensive. 🙁 Wishing you the best.
Attach Rafters To The Fascia Of The Main Roof
Now that is done, the next thing to do is to have 6×2 rafters the number of the vertical beams installed.
These rafters will be attached to the fascia of the main roof, running down and laying on each of the beams, which will now be extending straight from the ground to the lowest part of the roof, which is the end of the deck.
For A Rooftop Deck Over Garage You Need A Flat Roof
This may sound like a no brainer. Of course you need a flat roof.
However, you will be able to build a rooftop deck even on a garage with a pitched roof. Your cost of getting a flat rooftop deck over a garage with a pitched roof will depend on the pitch of the roof.
A low pitch will make it easier and therefore cheaper to put up the rooftop deck. Building a rooftop deck over a very high pitch garage roof may not make much sense.
Actually, if you see a fair amount of rain and even mild snow, a pitched roof may become an advantage. The rain water or the snowmelt will flow through the gaps in the deck floor, on to the pitched garage roof and into the storm water drain system.
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How To Build A Deck Roof: Attach The Purlins
Plan to space the 2×4 purlins parallel to the house and 3 ft. on center. To provide drainage, the panels should slope toward the outside edge of the deck about 1/4 in. per foot. If the span under your deck is 12 ft., for example, the purlin at the outer end of the deck should be 3 in. lower than the purlin along the house .
First, mark all the purlin locations on the deck joists. Install the purlin along the house and the outer purlin. Then stretch a string between them. Measure down from the deck joists to the string at the other purlin locations. Those measurements will give you the widths of the spacer blocks.
Cut the spacer blocks and screw them to the bottom of the joists at the marks. Then attach the remaining 2×4 purlins by screwing them to the spacers.
How To Build A Shed Roof Over My Existing Deck
Unless youre experienced in residential roofing construction, you probably dont want to build the roof yourself. However, you might want to know the process of how its done. Take a look at our step-by-step guide for building a shed roof over your existing deck:
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Access To The Rooftop Deck Over An Attached Garage
This could be rather easy or a bit complicated. It really depends on the floor plan of the 2nd floor of your house.
OPTION 1
It would be just fantastic if a common area such as a living room, a dining room or even a hallway adjoins the Rooftop that you are planning to build.
In this case you could have a simple door or more grandiose French Windows as the way to access the Deck.
PROS: Easy Access, Easy Construction, Quick move back into the house if the weather changes.
CONS: Your guests will need to go through your house before they can get to the Deck.
OPTION 2
Another option would be to build a staircase, along one of the wall, inside or outside the garage, leading to the rooftop deck over the garage,
What Should You Consider When Building Your Own Deck Cover
The first thing youve got to think about is how the deck roof is going to sit alongside your existing home. If your deck has a gap between it and your house, this might not be a problem as you can simply build a stand-alone deck cover. However, many decks are right next to the back of your house, which raises a few issues.
Joining a home-made roof to your existing roof might require a level of expertise that you dont really have. In this scenario, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to get the job done for you.
It will probably only be a couple of days work and might not cost as much as you think.
One alternative option that you can do yourself is to have a slightly higher roof on your deck, so that its above your main roof slightly, and overhangs.
That way any rainwater can roll off of your deck roof an onto your house roof, feeding into your main guttering system. Thats one of the main issues with building your own roof cover, where is the rain water going to go? If you have a roof at the same height, it will have to join somehow or else therell be a gap between the two constructions for water to come down onto your decking.
Some people also like the feel of having a higher deck roof, so this could be an option you might want to look at.
When you start building your roof over the deck, try and get some material that compliments the decking. You might want to use the same wood, or something else. Treat it with the same products to give it a similar finish.
Read Also: Who Can Put A Tarp On My Roof
What About Composite Decking Material
Synthetic decking options range from wood composites, to plastic capped wood composites, to cellular PVC. Most are available in a variety of colors. Some may perform well in this harsh area. Most do not. Most of the synthetics heat up and expand and contract making them uncomfortable to walk on. If you are considering this option, please do your homework first.
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How To Build A Deck Over Flat Roofs: Considerations And Diy
A deck over a flat roof can be an attractive addition to your home. The difficulty is that it will need some kind of supporting structure, and you will also need to take care of waterproofing and any penetrations.
We are going to talk about how to build a deck over flat roofs. The process of building a deck on top of an existing roof can be tricky, so it is important that you do your research before starting the project. We will cover some important considerations.
In many ways, installing a deck over a flat roof is similar to installing a deck over a concrete patio. This type of deck is called a floating deck because it is not permanently fixed in place like a stand-alone structure. They can rather be regarded as an extra deck placed on top of another structure.
Unfortunately, typical flat roof specifications do not meet the minimum requirement for a deck to go on top. As a starter, the roof must be at least 16 inches high for a deck to rest on the surface without obstructing sunlight or ventilation needed between the roof and the deck. The good news is, you can adapt your flat roof with some measures that will allow for an adequate height!
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How To Build Roof Over Deck
A deck can transform your house, add extra living space outside, and boost the overall value of your home. The downside is that a deck isnt a permanent living space it is weather-dependent. Recently Ive seen some neighbors try to solve this problem with a roof. Ive considered it myself, but I wasnt sure exactly how to build a roof over a deck.
To build a roof over a deck, you need to connect the new roof framing to the existing home. The easiest way is to use posts and beam construction with rafters connecting the beam to the home. Other ways involve removing a portion of the existing roof, adding trusses, and other framing options.
In this article well cover all your options when it comes to adding a roof to your deck. While a deck roof entirely depends on how your current deck sits with your house, well also give a general overview of DIY deck room construction.
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What Can I Cover My Deck Floor With
Interlocking deck tiles are a low-cost way to transform your deck into a safer, more attractive space while helping to protect the actual deck from wear and tear. Installing outdoor tile over a wood deck can help to protect you from splinters, while offering the deck protection from sun and wear and tear.
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Building On An Existing Deck
Where local building codes allow this practice, you can bolt a patio overheads posts directly to existing deck beams, joists, or other heavy structural members. Or, you can lag-screw through post bases and decking into the top of a deck joist or beam.
When bolting to the decks structure, be sure to use heavy-duty galvanized lag screws that are long enough to penetrate the decks framing by at least 2 inches.
In some situations, you may be able to use the homes structure to support an overhead above a deck. For a good example of this, see the article This Patio Roof Sheds Water, Allows Natural Light.
Should I Cover My Deck In The Winter
Its important to cover your deck in the winter to protect it from harsh winter weather. You can choose between a permanent roof and a temporary tarp, but you may want to build a roof to invest in the long-term. If youre wondering how to put a roof over an existing deck, get in touch with your local roofing experts. They can either give you advice or complete the job for you.
Also Check: How Do You Figure The Pitch Of A Roof
Protection From The Sun And Rain
The most common reason why people build roofs over decks is for protection from the sun and rain. A covering allows you to sit outside and enjoy nature on even the sunniest and rainiest days. During the height of summer when the sun is at its hottest, catching some shade on your deck is a great chance to relax for you and your loved ones.
First Step: Is A Rooftop Deck Allowed In Your Area
Before getting started, find out if a rooftop deck is allowed in your area. Do you have local zoning prohibiting a rooftop deck? Are there homeowner association restrictions in your area? Find out. If not, a great place to start is to check with your local building department. Building code officials are a wealth of information. They know the local building codes and can save you money in the long run.
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Its Time To Install The Roofing Material
Now that the roof framing is done, you can move on to installing the actual roofing. Your specific instructions for this stage will vary depending on:
- The material you choose to use
- How steep your angle is and,
- Whether or not there are overhangs involved.
Regardless of the specifics, though, there are a few general rules to follow for this stage.
Start by removing any footings that will be covered up. Then youll need to install some waterproofing before installing your actual roof material.
Next, lay down felt paper to protect the roofing material from moisture.
Make sure to keep your work area well ventilated, especially if youre working with wood shakes or shingles both of which are flammable materials.
Finally, finish up by nailing down any loose edges and replacing footings that were removed earlier.
Average Cost To Build A Roof Over A Deck
Unfortunately, we wouldnt be able to tell you how much it would exactly cost to add a roof to your deck without scheduling a consultation and coming to your home. But we can give you an average range of prices that it would most likely fall within. They include:
- Adding any deck covering or enclosure will typically cost between $1,000 $10,000.
- Adding a covered roof to your deck will typically cost between $3,000 $10,000.
The cost will vary depending on the professionals hired, materials used, square footage, and weather conditions.
Not a real zip code.
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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.
How To Build A Roof Over An Existing Deck: Step By Step
In this guide, well go over how to build a deck roof over your deck. This step-by-step overview will cover the installation of a slanted deck roof. Gable and hip roofs will vary, particularly in how you connect their framing to your existing roof, but the construction of posts and beams will be similar to the slanted roof.
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Round Up The Materials For An Under Deck Drainage System
Rune bought corrugated fiberglass panels at a home center to use for his under-deck roof. The panels he used are 26 in. wide and 12 ft. long. He attached the panels with special roofing screws that have hex heads and neoprene washers for sealing. Youll find these screws where steel or fiberglass roofing is sold. You could also use galvanized steel or plastic roofing panels and install them the same way. Rune screwed treated 2×4 purlins to spacer blocks to support the panels and provide the necessary slope .
Gutters arent required, especially if the water drains onto your lawn. But if the water falls onto the patio, gutters can prevent splashing. Rune chose PVC gutters because theyre inexpensive and easy to cut and install. If you decide to install gutters, youll need lengths of the gutter, gutter straps, end caps, a downspout outlet, downspouts and special glue to join the sections.
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Building A Roof Over A Deck
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Putting a roof over your deck will add protection and coziness to this part of the house. Before the installation, you should find out as much info as you can about such roofs, their design, cost, and more.
Weve decided to put all the information you need about installing aroof over a deckin a format of short and easy-to-understand answers to the most asked questions.
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How To Build A Roof Over My Existing Deck
Summer may be over, but its the perfect time to start building a roof over your deck for next years sunny season. If youre looking to enjoy the great outdoors right from your backyard while still getting some relief from the sun or rain, a roof over your deck or patio is the perfect solution.
So, how do you go about it? You may want to just get it over with and do it yourself, but sometimes its better to hire a professional who can get it done efficiently. In this blog, were going to cover the benefits of building a roof over your deck, how to do it, and the average costs. Here at Legacy Service, we will do all we can to help you perfect your homes exterior. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with us for a roof replacement, give us a call at 215-798-9790 or fill out a contact form here.
Not a real zip code.
