skip to main content

extending roof with a patio cover and it's tight

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I have a fifty year old Santa Fe style house (old style, pre-yuppie) and want to add a patio cover on to the back. It would span the entire roof width. The house is essentially a single story on-slab rectangular block house with a nearly flat 3% roof that’s inside the front and side walls, and rests on top of the (lower) back wall. The roof is not seen from the street.

My rear block wall’s top plate is only 93” from the top of the foundation stem wall. I want to extend the roof out 12 feet in an open patio cover, but keep the slope and extend the BUR seamlessly. I’m calling it a patio cover because it will have 3 open walls and no floor/deck.

There are two problems I’m having trouble wrapping my head around..

One, the spacing of the original 2x10 house joists varies from 16 to 24 inches depending on the span. If I’m sitting out back and looking up at the bare exposed/uninsulated/non-ceilinged undersides of the roof extension, I’d like to see evenly spaced joists. Normally one would sister using the existing joist spacing at the top of the house rear wall, but I don’t want to be stuck with the existing variable spacing and don’t have the slightest idea how to get around that. A ledger board arrangement seems weak.

The second related brain vacancy I have is how to go out 12 feet with a 3% (4 1/2 inches over 12 feet) slope, prop the joists on a 6X8 beam at the 10’ mark, and still be able to walk off the porch without some of the tall ‘uns in the family having to duck under that beam. I think I could run 2X6 lumber dead level off the sill plate, adding ripper strips on top of them to keep the roof slope smooth. Would this sort of thing be considered a tapered joist or a truss, or would an inspector be inclined to insist on continuing out with 2X10 stock to match the original house roof? The 2X6 scheme gives me 84” under the beam, but going with 2X10 wood knocks the clearance down to 6’8”. That’s a little too cozy.

I don’t mind a rustic look as long as it is neat and proper, and tend to overbuild. I also don’t mind entertaining the county inspectors when I go for the permit, but I don’t want to make them laugh TOO much!

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

PRO
Best Quality Roofing & Chimney, Inc.
9 years ago
I can tell you this: extending a low-pitch roof is looking for trouble. We have tons of these "patios" that were converted open sun rooms (that were just screen porches, but made into part of the existing structure by pitching the roofs a little) and they are giving our residents here nothing but trouble. Not only does the snow here destroy them and cause leaks, but the rubber roofs are a headache. (Not that I'm complaining, I get 30% of my work from them!) But just sayin' - hope you don't live up North. Now - as to the extension: It's going to be too long- too short. You'll find that the inspectors will want you to hire an architect to assure the soundness of the build. They will also prefer that you match the existing structure.
0
Related Discussions
Patio Ideas - tying in to slightly elevated covered patio
Q
Comments (6)
This is a general concept only. Part of making it successful would be adequate front-to-back depth of the planter. At the right side, I'm suggesting a rail between the post and house wall, if the planter doesn't extend that far. You might consider extending the planter back to the house and filling in that niche area between deck and bump-out and eliminating the need for the rail. If wide steps are flanked with cheekwalls their location will be obvious from a distance ... and they will look better. (I'm not suggesting the color red.)
...See More
Extending patio
Q
Comments (1)
I think you are really thinking this through. I would certainly use a brick edging border also sold at lowes. I would consider, Do I want to add any electrical lines for outside lights? Is there water or electrical lines under ground? How is this gonna connect to the house itself? I would also consider using a diverter to run excess water from the downspout. Just my thoughts. James Maloy
...See More
Plumb Vent Terminates in Attic - How do I Extend Through Roof??
Q
Comments (12)
Begin in the attic space. Use a string & plumb bob to extend a vertical line from the center of the pipe to the underside of the plywood roof decking and mark the spot. Drill a hole through the roof decking from the underside up through the roof then push a wood dowel, piece of wire or other object through that hole that you will be able to see when on the roof. That will mark the center of hole through the roof. Now go on the roof and locate the center index marker you pushed up. For a 2" pipe I would layout a 3" hole centered on that mark, then cut the hole out with a jig saw. Drop your PVC pipe down through the hole and connect it to the cat iron pipe. If the cast iron pipe has a hub you can get a "Fernco" rubber donut gasket to seal the PVC to the hub. If the cast iron pipe is cut off so that it has a spigot end (raw pipe diameter) you can use a "Fernco" PVC x CI rubber coupling to connect the pipes. Next you will install a "Roof Flashing", which is a flat aluminum plate about 1/8" thick and about 2' x 2' square. The flashing has a hole through the center to fit over the pipe and it has a flexible rubber gasket that seals it weather tight against the pipe wall. The flashing is slid down the pipe and placed tight against the roof. The shingles on the upper side of the pipe should be carefully folded up to allow slipping the upper section of the flashing under the shingles. In this manner any rain water coming down the shingle will go on the top of the flashing plate and continue running down over the flashing and onto the roofing below. The bottom corners of the flashing should be nailed in place to prevent the flashing from moving. Now looking at the pipe from the side you will note the roof angle. The vent must extend 6" above the roof measured from the high side of the pipe on the roof angle. If you live in a region subject to snow the vent must extend 6" higher than your average snowfall. (Check your local AHJ because most communities have set a specific length to allow for snow in your community)
...See More
Design help for Extending patio l& partially covering
Q
Comments (3)
https://youtu.be/DXdP9U__HN8 This link of our patio and space shows how we configured the back lawn. Looks like you have a large lot to work with. Anything DIY will reduce cost but extend completion. We softened the patio look with gardens. Absolutely agree with previous poster recommendation for a professional design. For example, where are utilities and will they need to move for a pool? Equipment access and might excavation disturb planting beds, drainage or compact the soil. As to patio/shelter, stake out your space and stretch string to “live” the space before you build anything. Again, consider utilities snd lifestyle needs. IF you want a roofed shelter you must consider wind and depending on your location , snow load.
...See More

Related Stories

PATIOS Patio Details: Covered Dining Area Extends a Family’s Living Space

By Annie Thornton

Large sliding glass doors connect a pergola-covered terrace with a kitchen and great room in Seattle

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Light Your Patio, Extend Your Evening

By Mike Dietrich

Cast a magical spell on a summer night with decorative outdoor lighting as sleek or as rustic as you please

SUMMER GARDENING 10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color

By LuAnn Brandsen

Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more

DESIGN DICTIONARY Bonnet Roof

They don't just cap off a home — bonnet roofs have patios and porches covered

0

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 3-Season Rooms: Fire Warms a Pergola-Covered Pennsylvania Patio

By Becky Harris

Amish-milled lumber and local bluestone set off a focal-point fireplace beautifully in this comfy outdoor living space

PATIOS Patio Details: Awning-Covered Patio and Playhouse for a Shared Property

By Annie Thornton

A main house’s patio uses a wall of the property’s secondary unit to help create a private outdoor living space

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: Desert Home Blurs Every Line Between Indoors and Out

By Becky Harris

Expansive windows, oversize doors, skylights, a covered patio, an atrium and a roof deck make the most of beautiful surroundings

PATIOS 6 Patio Cover Types to Shade You in Style

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Protect yourself and your deck from the blazing sun with umbrellas, cloth, built structures — or nature's perfect shading solution

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Self-Sufficient Farmhouse With a Sheep-Pasture Roof

By Karen Egly-Thompson

LEED Platinum certification and a soil-covered top make this pastoral Virginia home green in more ways than one

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Innovative Home Reunites Generations Under One Roof

By Annie Thornton

Parents build a bright and sunny modern house where they can age in place alongside their 3 grown children and significant others

Sponsored

More Discussions

Raised ranch second floor addition

1

Kitchen floor tile advice

13

Seeking Feedback on My Dream Home Renovation in Google SketchUp

3

advice on outlets that stick out like a sore thumb?

7

How does this look for a tile bid?

10