Designing a porch roof
12 Porch Roof Ideas for Your Home
Porch Goals
1/13
A porch is a laid-back place to enjoy some fresh air. Whether on the front, side, or back of the house, a thoughtfully designed porch can boost curb appeal, and beckon people to use the small, outdoor space more often. Adding a roof is a great way to add shade and make the space feel even homier. Check out these creative porch roof ideas to see how adding a little cover can make a big difference.
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Back Porch Roof
2/13
Extend the home by adding a roof that allows you to slide open the back door and remain covered as you enter the back patio. This will create an indoor-outdoor feel when the doors are open. It’s the perfect way to enjoy an al fresco dinner party and still have easy access to everything that’s needed inside.
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Porch Roof with Skylights
3/13
Keep it classy with a timeless design while adding modern skylights. This porch roof is especially pleasing as it allows so much of the sky and surrounding scene to be enjoyed from the comfort of the patio while allowing people to stay covered from the elements.
Related: 10 Smart Ways to Bring Shade to Your Outdoor Space
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Glass Sheet Porch Roof
4/13
This innovative porch roof design is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The glass offers a sleek, unique appearance while allowing more light to shine through. Sitting beneath it feels like there’s no roof at all, and yet the coverage is surely there.
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Wraparound Porch Roof
5/13
A wraparound porch is filled with possibilities, from decorating with hanging plants to outfitting the space with comfortable, stylish furniture. With the home’s roof extending out over the porch, plenty of protection exists. Paint the porch ceiling a bright, cheery color and install ceiling fans to keep a comfortable environment all summer long.
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Sunroom Porch Roof
6/13
A sunroom porch is great for enjoying the outdoors no matter the weather. Use different building materials and colors for the sunroom that will stand out from the rest of the home. A tin roof is especially nice for listening to nature’s music, like the rain coming down.
Related: So, You Want to... Build a Porch
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Balcony With Gable Roof
7/13
Enjoy the view from up high by installing a balcony off the bedroom. Relax and take in the sights on the small porch concept while remaining protected from the sun, wind or rain with a gable porch roof.
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Vaulted Ceiling Roof
8/13
Turn a patio into a grandiose seating area. A vaulted ceiling is just the trick to create a larger-than-life look that feels luxurious. Add touches like intricate stone columns that will stand out from wooden furniture and a wooden ceiling as well.
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Open Air Porch Roof
9/13
Extend an existing porch roof without the need for shingles, intricate angles, or major structural support with an open-air pergola porch roof. This design is great for an outdoor dining area that seeks to let the sunshine in during the day, and a view of the stars at night.
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Metal Porch Roof
10/13
If you can’t commit to a full roof, try something like roofing panels. The patio pergola shade structure makes for a slight amount of shade and a whole lot of style. The look will ensure the patio feels separate from the rest of the outdoors without inhibiting views.
Related: 14 Inventive Ideas for a Perfect Porch
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Small Back Patio Roof
11/13
If the goal for the backyard is to maximize lawn space, keep the patio concept small. This design extends the home’s roof over a small concrete area that’s perfect for placing a bistro table and chairs or hanging a charming porch swing.
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Flat Roof Porch
12/13
Transform the front of the home into a large porch on ground level. A flat roof on a one-story has midcentury appeal. The porch beneath the roof will feel understated yet spacious.
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Ornate Porch Roof
13/13
An old home like a Victorian deserves a wraparound porch with style. This one features fun and intricate trim that stands out, and an arched design over the door that’s typical of a Victorian.
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Porch Roof Designs and Deck Roof Ideas
Which roof style should I consider for my Denver area covered patio, roofed deck or porch?
Here at Archadeck of Greater Denver and the Foothills, we frequently field questions from clients considering a roofed outdoor project about might be most desirable roof style for their backyard plans.
As designers and builders of multiple outdoor roofed decks, porches, and covered patios we are happy to help with the many variables that influence porch and deck roof design and construction. Adding a roof to any outdoor living area introduces several important decisions that will have major impact on the final project. Roofs come in many sizes, shapes, and slopes and each factor is important in determining the success of the final project.
Metro Denver covered deck design with single-slope shed roof.
Hip roofs, gable roofs, shed roofs, flat roofs, and various combinations of all of these can be used to compliment your outdoor project. There are a variety of considerations to be taken into account in the final design that influence aesthetics, functionality, and durability.
What are some important considerations in porch and deck roof design?
- How does the roof design compliment my house design? Certain roof shapes and designs may not fit on to your existing house, while others may add value and look original.
Most people consider this to be very important in their final decision. If you want your new roofed deck or covered patio to compliment the design of your home, your choice in roof style is crucial. - How does the roof design effect light penetration under the roof and to any windows that will be covered by the new roof? This issue can be very important to the final plan. The direction of the light, the shape of the roof design, the height of the roof, and the size of the roof all need to be taken into consideration. In some cases, clients are seeking to obstruct the light and glare from one direction and in other cases they may wish to minimize any reduction in light to the existing windows. All these factors influence the final design.
- What shape of roof will provide the best durability and drainage? The most attractive design is of little use if it does not drain properly or is not durable. We have been to newer homes with existing roof drainage problems that need to be solved as part of a new porch or deck roof addition.
- Will my deck or porch roof attach safely and permanently to my house? There are many important building details involved in the design and construction of a new roof that is connecting to your house. Proper flashing, roof slopes, water flow, and snow load ratings all need to be taken into account. All roof additions require a building permit and in many cases an engineer’s or architect’s approval.
- Will my new roof be supported properly to stand up to all the vagaries of Denver wind, weather, rain, and snow? If you have lived in the Denver area for any length of time you know that the weather here is highly variable to say the least. All of our roofs are designed and built to exceed the load requirements of the building codes, and to withstand the heaviest snow fall. If you live outside of the Denver metro area at higher elevations, additional snow loading reinforcement will need to be taken into account, to meet code and safety standards under high snow conditions.
- And lastly, how do various roof designs impact cost and the project budget? Not all roof designs have the same cost basis, even if they are the same size. Roof shape, slope, height, and column support design influence cost and budget. In general, the simplest single-slope “shed” style roofs are the least expensive but may not work in your specific situation. Gable roofs, hip roofs, and various combination designs will cost more than single slope roofs but are very popular!
Note: If you have come here in search of flat roof porch ideas, it is important to know that Archadeck of Greater Denver does not build flat roof porches. Some clients might identify a single-slope or shed roof design as a flat roof. Flat roofs are not typical to porch design and construction, as they require rolled roofing products that are more often used for commercial buildings, rather than porches and homes.
As you can see from the above considerations, porch, patio, and deck roof design and construction needs to account for a lot of variables to create a successful project.
At Archadeck of Greater Denver and the Foothills we make sure that each of these issues is covered in the design and construction of your roofed deck, covered porch, or patio. Successful roof additions are permanent and will have durability equal to or greater than your existing home.
Hip Roof Porch Designs
Hip roof designs are often used for custom porch or patio covers. They are very attractive, inside and out!
And whether you realize it or not, a hip roof porch design will be structurally stronger than a gable roofline. Aided by multiple inward slopes, a hip roof will stand up against strong winds and heavy snowfall. What’s more, those same slopes offer a bit more shelter beneath than a gable roof, which is typically open on one side. We custom-designed and built this hip roof as a patio roof cover in Arvada, Colorado.
Hip roof design, patio roof cover in Arvada Colorado
Can you apply a hip roof to any type of porch design?
Yes, you can.
Whether your porch is open or screened, ground level or elevated, it can be designed with a hip roof, so long as your existing home will accept the roof connection. Here is another example of a hip roof design...
Hip Roof Screen Porch Design
This beautiful hip roof screened in porch is a fantastic complement to the home’s existing rooflines. The screen porch roof mimics the original architecture, providing a seamless integration of the new porch to the existing home.
Screened in porch with a hip roof, exterior and interior
Porch Roof Design by Way of 2nd Story Deck
Some porch roof designs offer a bit of the unexpected. Imagine that you are considering building a deck on the second story of your home. Now imagine the walk-out space below being made into a cozy living space, with a porch roof made possible by the deck above. Archadeck of Greater Denver and the Foothills can help you optimize your use of the spaces outside your home. This is one such project, with a custom composite deck on the second story and a spacious covered porch tucked beneath – so expansive, in fact, that it affords multiple living areas.
You can have your deck and porch roof too!
2nd Story deck offers the perfect porch roof design below
This under-deck porch roof design has full electrical installation behind a beautifully finished tongue and groove ceiling application. The space can be kept cool by the shade it offers and by the addition of a large ceiling fan. Use after dark is no problem, as we completed this porch roof design with recessed lighting, as well – bringing amenities you would find indoors, outside the home.
If you’re looking for a Metro Denver deck builder, call Archadeck of Greater Denver and the Foothills to schedule your complimentary deck design consultation. Call (720) 704-1556 or complete our online form here.
Also read: Choosing the Right Metro Denver Deck Builder
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85 photos of application ideas for different types of houses
A secure and well-made roof is just as important to your home as a solid, well-built wall.
Properly designed, it will protect the building from various climatic influences and retain precious heat. A project made by specialists or with your own hands will help to plan a future roof.
Projects today are carried out with various computer programs, and there is a greater variety of ready-made options in the databases. Photos of various roof projects can be seen below. nine0003
General principles of roof design
To correctly create a roof project, it is necessary to study the design and materials of the load-bearing walls of the building, the climatic conditions of the region in which the house is built, discuss design preferences with the customer, if necessary - the method of thermal insulation, budget, materials , deadlines and make an optimal estimate.
To create a project, you can use such software products as ArCon, FloorPlan3D, Autodesk Autocad. nine0003
If you decide to design your own roof, you should start by preparing sketches.
Consider the design of the future roof, materials, color theme and more. Put all your thoughts on paper, count all the pros and cons and decide on the best solution.
The next stage is the most difficult. You need to start creating diagrams. They should be carried out taking into account all the important details: determining the angle of inclination, possible loads on the roof, selecting rafters, calculating the size and quantity of materials and purchasing them. The last stage is directly construction work, according to the created drawings. nine0003
Shed roof plans
Shed roof plans are usually designed for buildings whose wall dimensions do not exceed 6-7 meters. Such a roof is also ideal for covering garages, verandas and attics. For its arrangement, it is possible to use one large sheet of roofing and cladding material.
Flat Roof Projects
Flat roofs have an angle of inclination of 2 to 5 degrees, and therefore are considered ineffective, especially in the winter season, when snow lingers on them for a long time.
The appearance of such a roof is unpresentable and therefore recently they have been used only to cover outbuildings. nine0003
One design is easy to make, minimal time, low material, affordable and so there are people who choose it.
The flat roof project may provide for the creation of an additional resting place. On such roofs it is possible to place verandas, green spaces and even pools.
Gable Roof Projects
The most popular and sought after roofing option for a private home is the gable roof. It allows you to equip an additional room. In the design of such a roof, it is possible to add an arrangement of windows to provide additional illumination and ventilation. nine0003
Sloped roof project
Such a roof combines two structures - hip and sloping. Usually used for large, presentable houses, its design is quite difficult to implement, so the project includes all the small and complex details.
Such a roof is referred to as a mansard roof, because due to the tangible angles of inclination it creates one more additional room.
Half-hip roof project
This type is considered to be a cross between a gable and a hip roof. In appearance, it resembles two trapeziums and two triangles connected to each other. nine0003
Dormer windows can be installed on gables. The roof of this design looks original, it is preferred and ordered quite often.
Hip Roof Design
A hip or hip roof is one of the most stable and reliable, able to withstand powerful gusts of wind and rain. The project of such roofs is always complex and difficult to implement, usually they provide for dormer and dormer windows and are used for large houses. nine0003
Domed and Conical Roof Design
Domed roofs are used for large highways, semi-open theatres, circuses and houses of unusual design. Conical roofs in houses cover small rooms, or turrets to create an original design.
Usually they are combined with other types of roofs.
Choice of material for cladding
Once the type and type of roof for the project is determined, it is necessary to think about the cladding that will best suit your home and make it practical and beautiful. nine0003
There are many types, colors of materials and their fractions for roof finishing. It can be slate or tile, iron, roofing felt or metal profile. In some cases, the roof is made of wood.
Conclusions and recommendations
If you have made a roof project on your own and plan to build it yourself, first consult with a specialist. In any project, architectural or structural miscalculations can be made, the insulation or ventilation system is incorrectly selected. nine0003
Another miscalculation can be an incorrectly designed drainage system, which can lead to the destruction of the roof or an error in the calculation of the slope.
With all the above errors, the roof may turn out to be fragile and unreliable and, having saved on specialist advice, you will soon have to spend money on unplanned repairs.
Photos of roof projects
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9028 9how to build a veranda with a gable roof
Of all the possible options, the gable roof of the veranda always looks win-win against the background of the house.
This is a kind of copy of it, the rhythm of the overall exterior, when several large elements are effectively repeated - a large roof of the house and a small extension. With such a veranda, the most beautiful projects are obtained! A good veranda with a gable roof is that it drains melt and rainwater in both directions at once, without creating streams right next to the house. nine0003
Thanks to this, puddles dry quickly after rain and do not erode the foundation of the house. And it is also convenient to decorate it, install the necessary exterior details, stylize and distinguish favorably against the background of a common house. But the main thing is to build such a roof correctly, which we will now discuss in detail.
First, let's talk about the construction of such a roof. Note that the gable roof of the veranda in our time is very rare. Somehow she did not take root in her time. And all due to the fact that its design looks a little more complicated than the design of a shed roof, so you will rarely see such projects.
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In fact, there is nothing super complicated here. And the gable roof of the veranda looks especially beautiful against the background of a small building, such as a bathhouse or a country house:
The device of such a roof is as simple as the device of a single-sided version. Of course, in addition we will mount another skate, but in principle this task is not complicated. Therefore, if you like such veranda projects, feel free to get down to business!
Now think carefully about what angle of the roof this veranda will have. The fact is that a lot depends, of course, on snow and wind loads, but if we are talking about a veranda, then it is worth making a roof with such slopes as the roof of the house. Because any other design will look ridiculous. Although, we note, many architects take risks, and still play with the shape of gable roofs of extensions in their projects. nine0003
It must be said that sometimes it is successful, and sometimes it is rather the other way around.
Therefore, if you do not have enough building experience or a familiar architect, you make a roof with identical slopes, like the house itself.
Let's say with 100% certainty that when building a house, you or your predecessors carefully calculated the angle of the roof, and this has its own important meaning. For example, the angle of inclination of the slope, at which the snow cover practically does not exert pressure, is an angle of 45 degrees. But for the wind, the sharper the roof, the worse. Therefore, in the northern latitudes it is better to increase it to 45-50 °, because the snow here is much more dangerous than the wind. And many, many other nuances. nine0003
You can make an approximate calculation of materials for such a roof free of charge using our online calculator.
If the foundation was not originally shared with the house, then make it as strong as the scale of the extension will require. For a massive stone veranda, it is better to build a tape, for a log house - a columnar one, and for a frame - a beam around the perimeter.
Here is a good example of how to build a solid column foundation:
- Step 1. Dig holes in the ground up to 1 meter deep. nine0230
- Step 2. Next, we install pipes made of rolled roofing material in them.
- Step 3. Sand is poured inside such pipes, and then concrete is poured. In the process, we pat these pipes on the sides, thereby replacing the work of the vibrator.
- Step 4 Now install the overlay. To do this, you will need 6 bars 50x150 and 8 bars 50x100 two meters each. We make ceilings along the contour, and in the middle of the beams, with a span between the boards of about 1 meter.
- Step 5. Now we put the floor boards, for which it is most convenient to use a regular inch. nine0230
Here's how it all looks in practice:
With walls it's even easier, such a veranda is built no more difficult than any other extension:
Of course, there is no point in making a full-fledged attic in such a roof. You can't put a bike there, you can't stack hay, and you can't throw garden tools in there.
But still, the attic itself in its direct sense is necessary.
Let's immediately define this concept: what is an attic? But this is not only the space that is usually located on the roof and is sometimes converted into a living space, like an attic. In fact, the attic is a small space between the living quarters of the house and the roofing, which can be either in the form of a spacious attic or in the form of a very small air gap between the roof itself and the inner lining. Entering such a room, you think that there is no attic, and instead of a ceiling - just slopes trimmed with siding. nine0003
In the case of a room such as a veranda, whether you want to have a flat horizontal ceiling or leave it as a house, the air space between the cladding and the vapor barrier film is a must. Ideally, if it is within 5-15 centimeters, and the air can exit and enter through special vents.
Why is this needed? so that the attic can fulfill its most important function - to be a thermal cushion between the cold roof, which is in direct contact with the environment, and the internal humid and warm room.
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By the way, if you had to build such a veranda to an existing house, use the useful tips from this video: in a country house. All this suggests that there will always be water vapor from food and people on the veranda, and, in view of its closeness, the temperature will always be higher than on the street. And, therefore, it is impossible to build a simple roof without the necessary insulation from vapors and condensate. nine0003
On the other hand, for pitched roofs, the arsenal of roofing is much more open, while for the same flat roofs it is often necessary to limit yourself to roll materials or liquid rubber. Therefore, if your veranda is open, like a terrace, and you do not plan to cover it with the same as on the house, seriously consider modern roll materials - these perfectly protect the interior of the veranda from precipitation and do not require additional roofing layers:
B in other cases, you will need reliable waterproofing. This or the membrane film does not allow moisture to enter the insulation, and we will definitely use insulation in the gable roof of the veranda.
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Further, under the waterproofing film, when viewed from top to bottom, the insulation itself should be located. It can be mineral wool, glass wool, ecowool and any other modern insulation. The main thing is to protect it from rain moisture and melt water, for which a film or membrane is spread over it:
But from the ceiling of the veranda, the insulation must also be protected from moisture. It's a vapor barrier film. This insulation is designed to withstand, as far as possible, invisible water vapor rising up, which can do a lot of harm to the insulation. nine0003
As a vapor barrier, we do not recommend you to use unusual inexpensive films that protect the insulation by only 50-70%, but modern dense membranes. After all, you don’t want to completely sort out the rotten gable roof of the veranda in 2-3 years, do you?
In addition, if according to the plan there will be something like tea and coffee on your veranda, then take a waterproofing film that is anti-condensate and always breathable, with special drainage holes.
Such, if moisture still penetrates into the insulation (and it gets, for example, a high-quality vapor barrier film can withstand water vapor up to 90%, and yet there are these 10% that penetrate the vapor barrier), it will bring these droplets out through itself, where they will be picked up by the ventilation flow.
This is how we smoothly approached the issue of gable roof ventilation:
Specifically for the roof of the veranda, you will need to build a truss system called hanging. Its essence is that you:
- pre-fabricated roof trusses - isosceles triangles, which are securely fixed at the corners. And only then on the finished base you will lift them and fasten them. nine0230
- all work will be carried out at a height, but both roof slopes will rest only on the walls of the veranda, without any supports in the middle.
So, for the roof of the veranda you will need bars 50x50 centimeters and fasteners. So how do you fasten the bars of truss trusses together? You can do this with the help of modern metal plates, screws and bars.
In total, the whole process will look like this:
- Step 1. Place the logs at the same distance. nine0230
- Step 2. Fasten the vapor barrier to the joists using a construction stapler or thin nails.
- Step 3. Now, between the joists, directly on the film, lay the insulation.
- Step 4. Spread a waterproofing film over the insulation and fix it in the same way as the vapor barrier.
- Step 5. Now we attach the counter-lattice. These are thinner bars that are attached to the logs strictly perpendicular.
- Step 6. The selected roofing is already mounted on the counter batten. nine0230
Be sure to treat all prepared elements with flame retardants against fire and antiseptic against rotting before building a truss system for the veranda. And keep in mind that a drain must be organized at the roof of the house right above the roof of the veranda, otherwise a double load will already affect the gable roof: rainwater and what flows from the roof.
Simultaneous construction of the roofs of the house and the veranda
In this project, for example, all the construction of the gable roof of the veranda and the house is carried out simultaneously, and at a height of:
This is the easiest way to build, and the most economical, mind you.
Simple gable roof porch
Simple and unpretentious:
A classic, perfectly proportioned. What else does a veranda need?
Gable roof with cross construction
And the roof of this veranda is built in a tricky way:
Here the so-called cross construction is used. What is its essence? In order not to waste valuable ceiling space on such a low roof, but also not to leave the truss system too weak, it is reinforced with criss-crossing supports. As you can see, it all looks quite impressive and practical. Take note! nine0003
Construction of a veranda… on the second floor
Yes, sometimes this really happens. After all, it is always more damp below, and the higher, the fresher and warmer the air.
