Porch Roof Construction
The right porch roof design can add a ton of appeal to your home. The things that go into a porch design are all pretty similar: foundation, piers, joists, rafters, and more. Before constructing a new porch, or simply a new roof over your porch, it’s very important to consult a professional to ensure the job is done right. There are quite a few things to consider before you construct your porch and keep in mind once your porch has been finished.
Questions To Ask Yourself When Planning Your Porch
There are a few key questions to ask yourself as you plan your new porch.
How do you want to use the porch?
This question helps determine the depth and length of your porch. A porch with a table and two chairs is a different story than a porch made for dining and entertaining. A sitting area for cocktails and separate dining area is a fun option to make your porch a destination. This option will obviously require more space than a small sitting area.
When do you want to use your porch?
Depending on your region and climate, you may want to make your porch usable for three or four seasons out of the year. A few options to consider for an all seasons porch are a fireplace, a ceiling fan, and screens to keep out bugs.
Is your porch user-friendly?
To encourage good traffic flow and make the pace easily accessible, consider the best entry to and from your porch into your home. Large patio doors can offer easy access to side and back porches.
Porch Roof Design
The shape of a roof helps define your home’s architectural style. There are a few different types of porch roofs. This includes a gable roof, a hipped roof, a gambrel roof, and a shed roof.
Gable Roofs
The most common porch roof is a gable roof. A gable roof is a triangle shaped roof that projects along a ridge down the center of the enclosure. The sides of a gable roof are sloped at a pitch so snow and water easily moves off of it. Gable roofs usually overhang the walls of the enclosure on the sides. This creates the need for soffits and fascia.
Gable roofs are familiar and blend in well with many house designs. They usually use this type of porch roof for Cape Cod and Colonial style homes.
Hipped Roofs
Hipped roofs are roofs where the roof sides are sloped from each wall. It is a more complicated style. There are no gables and the slope is gentle in a hipped roof. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid. They are very strong against the wind and provide a solid, compact appearance. They’re more difficult to build than gable style roofs because they require a more complicated set of roof trusses.
Gambrel Roofs
A gambrel roof is a roof that has two slopes to each side. It is two sided and symmetrical. The lower slope is steeper and the upper slope is positioned at a shallow angle. A typical barn roof is a common example of a gambrel roof. We often find them on French Colonials or ranch homes.
Shed Roofs
Shed roofs involved a single sloping roof surface that attaches to the house all on the high end and support posts on the low end. This style is common for long and narrow front porches. They appear like a flat roof from the street.
Electrical Needs
Before construction starts, decide what electrical plans you will need. Outdoor fans, ceiling lights, and outlets should all be planned out in advance. If you do holiday lights, plan out outlets and electrical needs for them, too.
Check Building Codes
Some cities have very specific rules for construction, permits and building guidelines. Be sure to contact your local building department before you start any construction on your new porch. Contacting a qualified roofing professional is your best idea when planning your new porch, as they will be aware of building codes required in your area.
How To Tell When A Porch Roof Is Damaged
Porch roofs are an important aspect to a porch, and it is important to keep it in good shape. It doesn’t take much to keep a porch in good working order so do not ignore any warning signs or regular maintenance. Problems that start out small can easily grow into something larger and more expensive. Here are some warning signs that there is a problem with your porch roof:
Roofline Dips
If there is a sag in the porch roof or a dip in the topline, this could be a sign of rot. It usually means the sheathing has become saturated, which has led to it rotting. It is best to replace the porch roof before it becomes a larger problem.
Leaks Or Stains
Water stains are signs of a leak. If a porch has stains or visible leaks, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It could be an easy fix, like a shingle or flashing repair, but ignoring it will only make it worse.
Rot
Once you spot rot, prepare yourself to repair or replace your porch roof immediately. Once rot sets in, it can’t be repaired and has a tendency to spread. If the columns or fascia or other parts of a porch have rotted, it’s time for repair or replacement before the rot spreads to the rest of the roof and home.
A porch is such a great option to have on your home. It can add to the overall aesthetic of your home and provides you an extra space for entertaining, dining, or relaxing. You can use the same roofing materials used on your roof, or choose materials and colors that make a pleasant contrast to your current roofing. We offer FREE ESTIMATES for all of your roofing needs. Call us at 636-699-0449 so we can help you with the porch roof of your dreams.