How To Build a Shed Roof Over A Deck

Always try to match the house roof pitch angle and overhang for your shed roof.  Some shed roofs are designed to be nearly flat.  Flat roofs are more susceptible to leaking than pitched roofs. Shed roofs project as a single plane roof pitched away from the house.  If you are tying the roof directly to a house wall, you can install a ledger board with flashing and install rafter ties to attach the rafters at the appropriate angles or use engineered trusses. The opposite side of the porch roof will be supported by a header beam that is installed parallel to the house on top of 6x6 support posts. Support posts should be spaced less than 8' apart and be located on top of properly sized frost footings. Rafters should be attached to the header beam using hurricane ties.

If you are tying the shed roof into an existing roof on the house, you will need to remove the shingles and sheathing to expose the roof framing. You will need to attach the porch rafters to the house roof rafters and replace the roofing and flashing.

Many building departments require a local architect or engineer to design plans for porch roofs because of the increased snow, roof and wind loads created by adding a roof.

Building a Shed Roof Over A Deck: Step By Step

Save

Post Base Connectors

Install post base connectors to attach the support posts to the deck frame. Make sure the frame has the appropriate blocking to ensure a solid connection. Do not attach the post base to only decking.

Save

Set Support Posts

Install your 6x6 support posts to the post base connectors.

Save

Temporary Bracing

Install temporary bracing to keep the support posts level and in place. Notice that the tops of the 6x6 support posts are notched to hold the header beam.

Save

Install the header beam

Install the 2-2x10 header beams to the notched 6x6 support posts. Use thru bolts for a solid and strong connection.

Save

Installing the header next to the house

Attach the header to the support post next to the house. Do not attach the header directly to a house cantilever.

Save

Install the ledger board

Flash and bolt the ledger board in place to the house wall. This board will support the rafters.

Save

The rafter pitch angle.

Use a speed square to mark and cut your rafter angle to the roof pitch.

Save

Layout your rafters

Lay out your rafters. Most hand-framed porch rafters are installed at 16" on center along the ledger board.

Save

Installing the rafters

Toe nail the rafters in place to the ledger board.

Save

Attach the rafters to the header

Install the birdsmouth of the rafter to the header with framing nails.

Save

Install the roof sheathing

Install the plywood roof sheathing over the rafters to create the subroof.