Do you have a deck or patio that needs covering? Did you asked yourself how to build a roof over a deck? While some people decide to hire professional roofers to do the job, this sort of thing might be easier than you think to get done yourself. You should never bite off more than you can chew, but if you’ve got the right skills and tools for the job, it could be a lot more easy and satisfying to simply get things done yourself.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to build a roof over a deck
Some people decide to leave their decking or patio area uncovered to save costs and hassle, but they might be making a mistake. Wood decking can wear much faster if it’s exposed to the elements, especially rain.
You’ll also have to make sure everything you leave out there is completely waterproof. When you install a roof on your deck, you’ll be able to have cushioned seating and more – even if they aren’t waterproof.
Another reason you might want to cover your deck is so that you can use it all year round. Instead of only sitting outside in the dry months, you can really make the most of your outdoor space with a roofed deck, especially when combined with an outdoor heater.
That’s extra living space for your entire home all throughout the year, rather than just an outdoor area you barely use.
The benefits of a roofed deck keep coming:
It could even add value to your home. So if you’ve been putting off the expense of a roofed deck or patio for a while, remember that the cost could be easily offset by the value it adds to your property. And if you build the roof yourself, that cost might not be as high as you think anyway.
What should you consider when building your own deck cover?
The first thing you’ve 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 don’t 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 it’s 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. That’s 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 there’ll 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.
If you don’t have any carpentry experience and can’t cut angles very well, think about using brackets. You can get these in any DIY store and they come in a range of angles and dimensions.
How to build your own deck roof
1
If you like the idea of having the roof above your house’s roof, you need to make sure the support posts are within 4 feet or so of the original gutter (on that side). Place pier blocks so that the posts will be against the inside of the support frame.
2
Fix these support posts to your decks original support frame (bolts work well). Your support posts won’t need to be cut down to size yet, and can be left pointing out. Fixing these support posts is reasonably straightforward, just cut out some of the deck boards and move the posts onto the pier blocks underneath, fixing with bolts again.
3
When you have your support posts in the right place, measure their length to the deck and work out where they need cutting. Those on the side closest to the house should be cut so that they are about two feet longer than the supports which aren’t next to your home. This will create the pitch of your roof away from your home, so you can do it the other way around if you’d prefer the water to run onto your roof. You can also make the gap bigger or small depending on how much of a pitch you want.
4
Fix brackets onto the top of your support posts if you aren’t very good at cutting angles and joining. Place cross supports onto the brackets at a right angle and make sure they’re level. These cross supports will support the roof.
5
You can then fill out some of the gaps with rafters onto the cross supports. Again, fix these with brackets. You can then install additional support blocks on top of the rafters for extra solidity.
6
Picking the material for your roof is another important step. You might want to stick with wood like the rest of your deck, but some people find that makes the roof too dark and enclosed. Another good option is corrugated polyvinyl material. It’s super tough, and flexible. It’s also clear but will stop UV rays. That makes it a good, affordable all-round choice.
7
Make sure the sheets are square with the rest of the house and that they overlap each other. You don’t want any gaps, and you also want to allow the roof to naturally expand and contract. Use self tapping screws that have been dipped in silicone to attach, as this will help prevent leaks.
Now you’ve got your own decking roof and can enjoy your outside space no matter what the weather is like.
