The weather in San Diego is great for enjoying time outdoors. If you have a porch, you can enjoy your time in the privacy of your backyard. Adding shade can improve your outdoor space and give you more room to work with when you’re hosting a gathering. Converting your existing porch or deck into a covered porch will also add resale value to your home and improve the curb appeal significantly.
Of course, adding a porch ceiling or patio roof is a lot simpler than it sounds. You’ll need to make sure it has adequate support to prevent it from collapsing, and the roofing material should be designed to withstand the elements, rain or shine. In most cases, a professional roofing company can save you time and money in the long run by keeping waste to a minimum and avoiding common mistakes that can destroy your roof long before it’s projected lifetime.
If you are interested in more expert advice, like how to frame a roof, how to tarp a roof, or how to build a lean to roof, we have all the information you need on our blog!
Tools and safety gear
In order to cut your rafters, you’ll need a jigsaw or circular saw and a rafter square to measure your cuts. You should wear a helmet, safety glasses, and gloves throughout construction, and only use sturdy ladders with rubber feet. Make sure they’re always placed on level ground to avoid falling. Cutting rafters requires some experience with a saw. Each rafter will need a tail cut, a plumb cut, and a bird’s mouth cut to install securely into the frame of the roof.
You’ll also need at least one other person to help install the header boards and place the rafters. Depending on the size of your porch roof, you may need to use scaffolding to keep you secure while you place the shingles. Walking on a roof requires care, and the wrong step can damage your roofing material and lead to leaks.
Building a porch roof
Porch roof construction starts with proper planning. Whether you want an open porch or a screened porch, you’ll need to choose a roof design that has adequate drainage. A flat roof can collect debris and allow water to pool, which can compromise the integrity of your building material. A pitched roof, such as a gable roof or a shed roof, will have better drainage and encourage debris to slide off when it falls on your porch. However, a lean-to roof is often the simplest choice for a porch roof, allowing you to extend from your existing roof easily.
Take measurements
You’ll need to start by determining the pitch of your existing roof so you can match it to your porch roof. On two-story homes, you’ll need to allow for at least 3” below windows, so this isn’t always feasible without adjusting the height of your porch.
Once you know the rise and the run, you can calculate the approximate length of your rafters using a construction calculator. Once you’ve got an idea of how long your rafters will be, and you know the area of your porch, you can determine how much lumber you’ll need to buy.
Install the rafter plates and place your columns
Now you can install the rafter plate. This will be a 2×6 board where rafters of your porch roof attach. You should mark out your rafter board placement in chalk, allowing 3” inches below any windows to accommodate your roofing material.
Next, remove any siding within the chalk lines and attach your rafter plate to the wall studs using lag screws. With your rafter board in place, it’s time to measure out your column placements. You’ll need a column on either end of the porch roof, and additional columns every 6’ to provide ample support to your roofing. When anchoring and installing the columns, the goal is to have each end squared up with the house and the floor for the right look.
Framing your roof
The frame of your roof is what supports the weight of the roofing materials. Start by installing header boards on each of the columns. This will carry the brunt of the roofing material, so you’ll want to use thick boards, either 2×6 or 2x8s. Place the header boards over the columns and secure them using a toe nail technique.
Once the header boards are in place, you can begin installing your rafters. For asphalt shingles, the rafters should be placed every 16” to account for the weight. Metal roofing is much lighter, and you can use 24” spacing for the rafters. Once the rafters are in place, you should add support using jack studs between the header boards and rafters, and install plywood on the sides and over the top for the roofing material. Next, you’ll install a fascia board to the rafter tails. This is where your gutters will attach to guide drain water away from your porch.
Sheathing and underlayment
Once the framing is complete, you’re ready to add sheathing. Use 7/16” plywood sheathing, and nail it in place over the rafters. You should space the nails out every 6” along the edges, and use a nail along each of the rafters throughout the middle. Once the sheathing is in place, install a drip edge along the eaves. Secure it in place using nails about every 12”, and make sure it’s straight. The drip edge should have a 2” overlap where they meet. The drip edge should also extend ¾” beyond your focaccia board to ensure the water can drain properly.
Next, use a synthetic underlayment over the sheathing to keep water off of your frame. Roll it out over the sheathing, and make sure there are no folds or creases. Apply staples every 3 or 4”, and make sure the underlayment overlaps every 4” wherever separate pieces meet. You’ll also want to install it 4’ above where the roof meets the wall to keep water from slipping in.
Add your roofing material
Now it’s time to install your shingles or other roofing material. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines no matter what style of roofing material you are using. You should start by placing your roofing material from the top and work your way down.
With the roofing material in place, you’re ready to install aluminum flashing over exposed wood on the sides of the porch and over the rafter. This will keep it watertight to protect the wood from rotting. Now you can install your gutters on the focaccia board. Once you’re finished, be sure to check for leaks with a garden hose.
Maintaining your roof
Depending on how well your roof is installed and the type of roofing material you use, your porch roof can last anywhere from 20-70 years before it needs to be replaced. Of course, that also depends on how well you maintain it. You should have your whole roof inspected twice a year by a professional roofer, and be sure to keep the gutters clean and remove debris from the roof regularly.
A roofing company can check your roof for damaged or missing shingles and flashing, or spot mold and moss growing. All of these things can lead to a leaky roof, which can do some serious structural damage if it’s not treated promptly. A professional roofer can help you determine when you need repairs, or whether it’s time to replace your roof entirety before the damage spreads throughout your home.
Know when to bring in the pros
Working with a professional roofer means you won’t have to trouble yourself with learning building codes and applying for the proper permits before starting a job. They can handle these details for you so you’re not hit with a fine (which can be up to $1,000). They can also perform the job much faster, and a good roofing company will back up all their work with a guarantee, so if there is a problem with the roof, you don’t have to worry about getting it fixed.
It also means you won’t have to worry about whether or not your roof is safe. If you want to host patio parties to come, reach out to the best San Diego roofing company, Preman Roofing Solar. We have installed thousands of roofs in the San Diego area, and we offer a free estimate on porch roof installations or any of your other roofing needs– whether it be commercial roofing, residential roofing, or roof maintenance!
We only use the highest quality materials, and we back all our estimates with our guarantee. That means we’ll be there when you expect us to and won’t surprise you with any extra costs to your job. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help transform your porch into your personal oasis.
