For many homeowners, a porch is the perfect place to relax and unwind. But when the sun’s hot or rain is pouring down, that time spent outside can get uncomfortable quickly. Adding a roof to your home’s porch is an excellent way to enjoy your outdoor space regardless of the weather. But before you add a roof, there are a few things you should consider.
1. Determine the Type of Roofing Material
If you want your new roof to look like part of your home, it’s best to choose roofing materials and colors that match the rest of the house. For instance, if your home has green asphalt shingles, then you should try to match the shade and style of shingles to the new roof. This creates a more consistent look and feel.
Working with a professional roofer gives you access to more roofing materials and color options. Professional roofers can more easily match colors to create consistency across the project.
2. Research the Costs of Building a Roof
The size of porch roofs is significantly smaller than the rest of the home. But they can still be quite costly to build. It’s important not to underestimate the cost of adding a “small” roof to your home, as the project requires several days of work. It involves digging holes to install support posts, framing the roof, laying shingles (or whatever roofing material you’ve chosen), running electrical wires, and other tedious steps.
Even though it’s small in size, you will need the expertise of a professional roofing company. We’ll ensure the roof is built to code and is properly constructed. We can offer a quote for your porch roof project so you can make an informed decision.
3. Understand the Rise and Run of the Roof
Rise and run refer to the angles and measurements of a roof. These two measurements tell how much material will be needed in order to construct a stable, long-lasting roof.
The rise of a roof is measured from the bottom of the slope up to its peak, or highest point. It’s measured in inches for every 12 inches along the horizontal plane (the run). In other words, if a roof has an 8:12 pitch (rise over run), this means it rises 8 inches for every 12 inches along the horizontal plane. The steeper the slope, or pitch, of a roof increases, the more material it will require for construction as well as additional support beams beneath it.
You don’t have to calculate the rise and run yourself — that’s our job. But it’s important for you to understand rise and run prior to starting your project, as this will affect the cost and the overall look of your new roof.
4. Determine Your Electrical Requirements
Many homeowners want to add a light, power outlets, or a fan to their new porch. That’s completely doable, but this step in the project comes with special considerations.
Electrical wiring is one of the most important components when constructing a porch roof. Without proper wiring, your home could be at risk for an electrical fire or other hazards. It’s best to work with a skilled electrician who knows local building codes.
5. Hire a Professional Roofer to Build Your Porch Roof
Having a porch roof is an excellent way to extend the living space of your home. However, for maximum safety and quality assurance, hiring a professional roofer is essential. Not only do they have the skills and experience to build a reliable and long-lasting roof, but they also have access to superior materials that could last far longer than those available at your local hardware store.