The only way I'd extend roof is continueing the gable out. Extending present shed roof will get too low for head room. Raising heigth of shed is possible but should only be atempeted by one who know's what they are doing. Tieing into that valley higher up can result in some never ending leaks that rot the structure. Extending to edge of stoop and running to corner of house sound's like more trouble than it's worth for such small porch unless camera fool's the eye. How deep is stoop? Meter placement is likly to alow easy access and viewing from street. Will they wait until proch is complete before installing new meter?

If the porch gets built, it will be after the meter. Won't do any good if built and they have a problem. I'd say the stoop is 4ish feet deep.

I would be taking wood from the knome side side of the stoop and extending to the edge of the pavement. I'd cut an insert out for the spigot, of course. It's just a matter of determining how...if...the roof would work.

Yes, the front of the pavement was put in at an angle. Not sure why.

" What should I use as a ceiling?" Was your origional question and my answer is to use about any weather resistant material that appeal's to you. 90% of the important decisions and construction details have to do with roof. A four feet deep porch doesn't have alot of practical uses but it might beat no porch at all.

Can you not request that the meter be placed in a different spot? I'm surprised they would put a meter right on the front of your house!

Klem, I think that is a large part of my reasoning, actually. We had a spot that I thought could work. I was willing to accept 4 ft deep and just have a tiny set of chairs and table for two. A nice, bug free area out front for the summer. I understand the need for weather resistant, but I didn't know if there was anything in particular to help with a seamless transition to prevent leaks...and also allow rain to run off and support however much snow we get.

Jellytoast, it was either there or right around the corner going into the driveway. They would have torn up the pavement and we all know who pays for it to be fixed....

If you get an estimate on building a 4'x16' and an 8'x16' you will see doubling size only increases price by 25% not 100%,and there in is the reason small additions are not very pratical. I believe you are confusing ceiling and roof. Ceiling is what you see looking up in your living room,roof is where you see shingles looking from outdoors. On your porch it's very common to eleminate the ceiling alltogeather. The material and construction for roof would be best if the same as rest of house. If I used anything other than what's presently on roof of house it would be standing seam,R panel,U panel or AP steel panel on porch and house. To be honest your question sound's similar to someone asking for meatloaf recipies and worrying more about which pan to cook it in than at what tempature. Or perhaps I'm simply failing to grasp what you're saying.

May want to check with the building dept. as the houses all appear the same stet back from the street and you may have an issue with the distance and need a variance.

Klem,

You know, when I brought this idea to my Dad he said "buy a new house". Since this would be the first project of it's kind that I'll have done, I'm also probably underestimating complexities. I like the idea of a screened in front porch and see even a small area that could accommodate it, I'm just trying to make it a reality, yet the more people I talk to, the fewer think I should do it or it should be done. I perhaps should have pursued a permit to see if the city would even allow it, but I really want to see if my idea itself is possible, not necessarily if it is allowed. Kind of a validation thing.

Maybe one day I'll seek out a contractor because this is sounding like a bit of a heavier project than I initially thought/hoped.

Millworkman,

If I had ever figured out how to build it, I would pursue a permit. Maybe that's the opposite of how it should be done...?

Will this work for you? A gazebo or free standing screen house in the yard? It's far less expensive to build, better ventilated,easier to permit and moved in the future if desired. You can even buy ready to assemble kit's from big box stores.

Just my personal opinion, but I would rather a utility meter be located just about anywhere besides the front of the house. And if you do plan on selling in the future, I imagine most buyers would feel the same way. How big of a pavement repair are you looking at?

Klem,

I wanted something actually attached to the house.

Jelly,

I wasn't enthusiastic about either spot myself. I don't know how much of a pavement repair there would actually be because I don't know how big the meter is. Our driveway is also one car wide, so wiggle room isn't something we have a lot of and given where the gas lines are, I don't think the utilities have a lot of options either. This is all only being done because we've had gas leaks in our downtown area (about 4 miles from me).