Plan Ahead To Avoid Construction Headaches
You can add this screened in porch to almost any house, but attachment details may vary from what we show here.
- On most two-story houses, you won’t have to worry about tying into the roof, but you may have to situate the porch carefully to avoid covering a window.
- The house roof sloped 5 in. per foot and extended 18 in. at the overhang. Your roof may vary from this, and the details of how the porch ties in will vary as well.
These illustrations above show the plans for the screened in porch, deck framing, gable framing, ledger, truss block, side walls and the end wall. To print these how to build a porch plan, see Additional Information at the end of this story.
Building A Covered Porch
If you missed my last video where my friend Greg and I demoed his existing porch and deck, then rebuilt the deck, then you can find that video HERE. In this video were continuing the process by rebuilding the porch. Ok here we go!
When we were demoing the old porch, the only part we held onto to reuse were these giant white oak posts. Actually, Greg is also a Sawyer and actually milled these posts himself.
We detached them from the rubble then set them in place one by one. Making sure to place these on top of the beams of the deck so the they were on solid footing, then we set two braces in place to get it nice and plumb.
To start, we would first make sure the post was sitting square to the face of the deck, then using a post level to move the post into plumb.
While one person was reading the levels, the other person would be squeezing down on the clamps to hold it in position. After checking it one last time that nothing had moved, we threw a few screws in the braces. If you dont have a post level then using a 4 level on two sides also works.
After we got the second post set, we next moved to the top and set the header to hold them into position. We could have gone through and first set all the posts, then gone back to do the headers but instead we built the porch by working left to right, and going through all the stages before we moved all the ladders and scaffolding over.
Once the header was in place, then we started throwing up the rafters.
Heres a before shot:
Finishing The Porch By Adding Trim
I first want to show you the finished porch so you have an idea of what I will be talking about.
One thing I regret not doing was adding a dangling light but that would have taken a while so I decided not to do it. Plus, birds were already trying to create a nest in all the openings!
Here are the supplies I used for this part of the project:
MATERIALS:
- ear protection
You can print the material list and instructions below.
First thing I had to do was add some bracing this way I had a place to nail into. To do this, I used 2×4s cut to the size I needed. Then, I used the Kreg Jig K5 to create pockets to secure the boards to the porch with a 2-1/2 exterior screw. Heres an example.
Next was cutting the 3/8 LP Smartside Siding panel to fit the space. I decided on this panel because we wanted the look of shiplap. I used a jigsaw to cut the piece to fit and we used a chalk line so we would know where the 2×4 boards were to nail into.
After the pieces fit correctly, we nailed into place using the 2-3/8 ring shank nails .
We also cut a piece to cover the other opening. Here are both of those pieces into place:
Next was adding the soffit to the roof overhang, just the sides. Rather than buying the actual soffit, I cut strips of the LP Smartside soffit panel using a circular saw attached to the Kreg Rip-Cut .
Next was adding trim to the 2×6s . I did this again by using the circular saw attached to the Kreg Rip-Cut to cut the 3/8 soffit panel into strips.
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Best Methods Of Attaching A Roof To An Existing Roof
Making a dream house isnt a one-night project, especially if youre out of cash while trying to embody that dream. Even installing a new roof can be a source of fun as it can beautify your house. If you have a plan of attaching a roof to an existing roof, this article will inform you of the know-how.
Attaching The Valley Board
Based on the size of the new addition that you wish to have to cover the porch area, attach a valley board by nailing it down on the existing roof. One thing that you need to understand here is that a different design will require different numbers of the board.
For example, you will need more when the new roof that you choose is in hip style. If you select shed design instead, which is commonly easier to build, you will possibly only need to attach a valley board on the existing roof.
The function of this element is as a solid nailing surface that you will later use to install the rafters of the new porch cover. This part is attached to the old roof of the house.
In this case, another thing that you need to know is that you have two options, which are to strip the shingles of the existing roof or just to leave it. Either of the options is good to choose. However, if you want to save time, you can just leave the old shingles without doing anything to them.
Once you are done attaching the valley board, the next thing you must do is dabbing roofing cement on the nailed part of the board and also along the edges of it. The function of doing it is to prevent possible leaks.
If you are not familiar with an item called roofing cement, you need to know that it is different from the regular concrete mix. In simple words, we can explain this as an adhesive and patching material designed for use on the roof only.
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How To Connect A Porch Roof To A House
We all desire to own a house, and we work hard to achieve this goal. A house is not just its four walls. You need the special spaces in your house which make the difference between your house your home
Contents
Sometimes home is as much the places outside the four walls as within. The lawn where you can set up a grill in the summer or bring over friends for a cold beer in the evening. A porch where you can set up a rocking chair, sit cozily with your special someone, chat with friends, read novels or just enjoy the weather. Having a porch is often just as important as whats inside the house itself.
You need to treasure and protect your porch, so you should get the best roofing material to cover your porch. A porch roof will protect you from snow, wind, rain and the summer sun. A beautiful porch is a perfect entrance to your abode that people can admire from afar.
So lets find out how to connect a porch roof to a house. All you need is some basic construction skills and to follow 6 simple steps.
How To Add A Porch Roof To An Existing Roof In 5 Different Ways
A porch is a great outdoor area for you to relax with your family and friends. However, the sunlight or even the rain might ruin your tranquil moment. Therefore, its essential to have a porch roof installed. The roof will not only protect you and your family from the uncontrollable heat and the rain, yet it will also add accent to your house.
Read on to find out the most popular ways to add a porch roof to an existing roof.
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Diy Or Professional Job
As youve likely noticed, a lot goes into building a porch. Now, some folks may be equipped with the tools and skills needed to DIY their porch, but most will benefit from hiring contractors .
In construction, labor prices generally take up between 20-40 percent of the projects final cost. The average labor costs to build a porch range from $60 to $70 a square foot, or between $20 and $40 an hour, according to Fixr.com. But its a complicated job, and you might benefit from hiring a general contractor, especially if the project is also going to require carpenters, electricians and other specialists.
How Do I Add Flashing To Existing Siding
INSTALL FLASHING UNDER SIDING TO STOP LEAKS. A-The flashing was not properly installed. It should go under the bottom two rows of siding, then fold it out over the roof for at least 8 to 10 inches. In other words, you will have to rip off the bottom rows of siding to install the flashing, then replace the siding.
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How To Attach A Patio Roof To An Existing House
When you attach a patio roof to an existing house, you can create a patio look that flows from roof out. Creating this patio roof requires some woodworking knowledge and patients, but if you have the skills and time, you can make it work. Here, our roofing experts explain how to attach a patio roof to an existing house.
Flashing A Patio Roof Ledger
Unless it will be protected from rain by the houses eaves or a solid roof, a roof ledger that is fastened directly to a house with wood siding should be capped with galvanized metal Z-flashing that tucks up under siding to prevent water from seeping in behind it.
Where integral flashing isnt possible, such as on a stucco wall, use Z-flashing and caulk the top edge. This is a job you must do before fastening the overheads roof rafters in place.
You can buy L- or Z-shaped flashing or bend it yourself. To bend sheet-metal flashing, make a form by clamping two 2 by 4s together on each side of the metal, and then hammer the metal to create a sharp edge at each fold.
Fit the flashing in place, caulk the top edge, and nail it with galvanized nails long enough to penetrate at least 1 inch into the structural members. Then caulk the nail heads.
If the house is sided with shingles or lap siding, simply slip the metals top edge up under the bottom edge of the shingles or siding as far as possible.
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Why You Will Need To Add Porch Roof To Existing Roof
There are different options for trying a porch on your existing roof. It gives your family a long area to enjoy the outdoor sight. This is especially beneficial as it protects you from the elements.
However, tying a porch is simply a new addition to your home. But it should look blended with your original home architecture. Here are the ways to tie porch roof into existing one with the following steps:
Make The Patio Roof A Little Bit Higher
It is almost similar to the first method, but to make the patio roof a little bit higher, you will need to remove the house gutter and place the back channel a bit higher.
Because the gutter is removed, you will need to install transfer flashing from the roof of the house to the patio. It allows you to add over a hundred millimeters of extra height.
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Different Types Of Porches
Before diving into how to build porches, lets review the basic different types.
Technically, a porch is a covered area that is attached to the exterior of a building. Typically, it is also somewhat elevated, requiring stairs or a ramp to access it from the outside. Its these three things the attachment, the covering and the elevation that distinguish porches from decks and patios .
Pick Roofing Materials That Match Your Existing Roof
If you use a roofing design that matches the main house roof, its a good idea to use the same roofing material to make everything consistent and blend nicely.
Different roofing material functions best when installed at a specific pitch, so you should check with the manufacturer to make sure the pitch of your roof matches the manufacturers recommendations.
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Set The Support Posts
Opposite to the ledger board, dig two posts in the ground to the depth required in your area. If your area freezes, you may be required to dig the holes below the frost line. Fill each hole with about four inches of gravel. Set the six-by-six posts plumb in the concrete and let the concrete fully cure.
Does Changing Your Porch Roof Improve Home Value
It can. Studies show that doing renovations to your homes exterior is a very reliable way to add value to your home, not to mention improve curb appeal. However, this is a project you should consider after youve already worked on the landscape and given the homes exterior a good cleanup. Those two projects add more value than what improving the underside of a porch roof could do.
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Make Your Patio Roof A Little Bit Higher Than Usual
If you want to go high, then you can use this method. This method is suitable for roofs that are at least 2 feet higher than the eaves of the house.
To do this, you will have to attach a rafter from the roof to the patio roof joists at approximately a 45-degree angle and then secure the rafter with building code-approved screws.
Raise The Roof By 500 Millimeters
You can raise the patio roof up to 500 millimeters by removing the eaves, fascia, and gutter. After that, cut the rafters back to the wall line.
The back channel is connected to the rafter directly and reinforced. By doing this method, you will have a clean finish that is connected to the wall line.
But, you may also need to install transfer flashings on top to complete the look.
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Full Protection From The Sun Snow And Rain
If you are looking for something that can give you the ultimate protection from the heat of the sun, rain, and snow, you need to take metal roofing to your consideration.
This metal roofing suits the style of the house very much. Besides accentuating the house, it gives you the protection that you need as it is attached directly to the wall.
Should I Hire Someone Else Or Do It Myself
It is always a good idea to hire someone else to do a task that you are not confident in doing yourself. This is because there is a higher chance of making mistakes when doing something by yourself.
On the other hand, if you are confident in what you are doing and believe that you can complete the task on your own, then by all means go ahead and do it yourself. There are many online resources that can help you with the process of starting and running your business.
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Some Steps On How To Attach A Patio Roof To An Existing House
Attaching a patio roof to an existing house is not a doddle, but it does not mean that you cannot do it. You just need some assistances of experts if you are not really good at carpentry.
Before attaching a patio roof to your home, you need to prepare some materials such as:
- Nail gun
- Ledger
Steps:
- Measure the sightline clearance height from the roof to the house, not the other way around.
- Measure the size of the beam that you are going to use.
- You can either remove the eave or just keep it.
- Using lag bolts and a screwdriver, fasten the base of the posts to the ground. You have to make sure that they sit plumb.
- Make a cutting on one of the sides of the horizontal roof beam on an angle. You have to do it thoroughly so that the rafters sit flush on it.
- Attach the horizontal beam by using a nail gun. After that, to make it flush with the roof of the existing house, cut the two outer rafters.
- Now you can begin assembling the outer rafters and attaching the rafter beam to the edge of the roof of the house.
- Cut each of the house ends while continuing installing the rafters so that they fit the top of the rafter beam perfectly.
- When all the rafters are installed correctly, form your patio roof by attaching the planks horizontally across the rafters.
- If you are going to use shingles to cover the patio roof, do not forget to install black roofing felt along with a single layer of oriented strand board. When they are installed, you can begin attaching roofing shingles.
The House And The Existing Roof Are Both Worth Evaluating
After you check the local building codes, it is time to evaluate your house and existing roof.
For this, there are two things you must consider seriously. Those are the space available for the new porch roof addition and the area of the existing roof.
A roof addition of this size must be evaluated on the overall square footage of the house. It is not simply a matter of adding another room!
There are non-standard roofing materials that can cause problems if installed improperly, either through an improper framing plan or shoddy installation. For example, metal flashing can contact your siding and create unwanted damage. So you must make sure to have a professional evaluate the existing roof to match any new construction before starting anything!
Of course, what we said here is that you should only evaluate the area where you will add the new roof addition. This step is very crucial for you to know, but many people skim it anyway, and that is not a thing that we wish you to see.
The prime goal of the evaluation remains to demonstrate whether or not the existing roof can be modified with the current addition. Its also helpful to know whether or not the existing roof is safe for the extension.
You can also check whether or not some things later can make the process to add a porch roof to the existing house one harder to complete in this evaluating step. Phone wires, power cables, or nearby trees and branches are among the items that can be used.
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