How to Roof a Porch

Building a roof over your porch will give you extra hours of enjoyment.  It will protect you from the rain and shade you from the sun.  A person with some do it yourself skills can build a roof over a porch.

Items Needed:

• Ladder


• Shovel


• Concrete mix


• Hammer


• Nails


• Post base connector


• 6 x 1/2 inch steel nuts with corresponding washers and bolts


• Wrenches


• Saw


• 2x4 lumber


• 2x6 lumber


• 4x4 lumber


• 5/8 inch plywood boards


• Stainless steel screws

1. Find a spot on the ground where the support post will stand.  Dig a hole about 18 inches deep and 12 inches across for each of the support post.  The post base connector will come with long bolts.  Fill the holes with concrete and place the long bolts into the center of the concrete.  Make sure the bolts are straight up.  Let the concrete dry overnight.


2. Mount the post base connector bracket to the bolt that is in the concrete.  Measure and cut the support post to the height you want the roof to be.  Factor in the roof slope on one side for the rain run off.  These posts will be shorter than the others.  Put the support post into the connector and fasten with nuts and bolts.


3. Build a frame for the patio cover.  Cut four pieces of 2x8 lumber, two each to the planned length of the sides of the porch.  Then add 8 inches to that measurement.  Screw the boards together in a rectangle shape using heavy-duty steel screws at each end.  Cut 2x4s to put inside the frame.  Place the 2x4's 18 inches apart and nail to the inside of the frame.


4. Get four other workers to help set the ladders and raise the frame.  Place the frame on the outside of the support post.  Nail each side to the post as a temporary hold.  Use extra lumber to help brace up the frame while you finish the final fastening of the frame to the posts.  Drill holes through the frame and posts.  Insert heavy-duty bolts into the holes and fasten with lock washers and nuts. 


5. Remove the temporary bracing.


6. Nail roof decking to the top of the frame.  Use 5/8 inch plywood for the roof decking.  Cover with roofing felt.  Nail the roofing felt down using roofing tacks.  Attach a drip edge and shingle the roof.


7. Stain, paint or waterproof the roof to your liking.