Frame Roof Over "U" Shaped Open Patio - Fine Homebuilding (2024)

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1. 

   Mike_Mahan |Jun 29, 2013 10:44pm |#1

   I've got a similar situation coming up where I can't attach to the eaves and get any decent pitch. This leaves the possibility of using a scupper where the rain gutters are. But what I intend to propose for my clients is that the patio roof be floated by making it free standing and higher than the existing roof. Put posts in at the inside and outside corners of the existing roof and cantilever beams and joist back over the existing roof enough to minimize any wind blown rain. The existing gutters function normally. The new roof can be pitched to drain away from the house without loosing height. There is no need to disturb the existing roof at all.

   This wouldn't work very well with certain traditional styles, but your's seems contemporary enough for it. This would work well with a translucent roofing material like polycarbonate.

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1. 

   Richard2212 |Jun 30, 2013 09:22am |#2

   Frame Roof Over "U" Shaped Open Patio

   Mike, Thank you for the comments. I would like this area to eventually become a "year around" usable space (Mid-Indiana - cold, snow,etc)

   I will look into your recommendations.

2. 

   Richard2212 |Jun 30, 2013 10:35am |#3

   What do you think about this?

   mike,

   what if I float the roof as you suggested then float a "t" channel lay in ceiling just under the soffit hanging from the floating roof?

   Later I could frame in the open end with a door, windows etc. nearly air tight but surely bug proof.

   Thanks again - good thought starters. Maybe some metal roofing to let the snow slide off.

3. 

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   Richard2212 |Jun 30, 2013 09:24pm |#4

   Modified Floating Roof Idea

   Mike,

   Since the Floating Roof would be flat - I have seen a roof situation like this , on one side, that was shingled and flashed into the adjacent roof slope. I have enclosed a sketch and would appreciate your comments.

1. 

   Mike_Mahan |Jun 30, 2013 10:58pm |#5

   What's snow?

   Being from South Califonia, I know that snow lives in the mountains in the winter where I sometimes go to ski. We could sure use some snow here today. >110 F.

   I like your design. I suggested the floating roof not knowing what climate you were in. What you have drawn should work well. You need to make sure the pitch of the "flat" part is as steep as possible. You're going to need to be very careful roofing and flashing where the valleys meet the "flat" roof and where the "flat" roof meets the sides at an angle creating a very shallow valley.

   You can't just bear the new roof on top of the old. You'll need to support it at the wall line. I just did a patio cover where we tore of existing tile and cut back the sheathing to put the new joists on the existin wall. In my case the joists were 4x12s laid right on top of the wall. You might need to cripple up.

   We've got some pretty strict fire regulations here now. The roof itself has to be fire proof. That's pretty easy since most roofing meets the requirements. The structure must be non-combustable or heavy timber. Non combustable basically means everything must be wrapped in stucco or fiber cement. Heavy timber means that posts must be 6x6 min. Beams 6x minimum and joists 4x minimum. If the soffit is not stucco or fiber cement the sheathing must be at least 2x solid or 1 1/8" plywood.

1. 

   Richard2212 |Jul 01, 2013 07:49am |#6

   What's 110

   Thanks Mike you have been a big help. I will move forward now with formal design and submit to the local building department for a Permit.

2. 

   Richard2212 |Sep 04, 2013 10:10pm |#7

   Patio Roof Project

   Mike, This is an update on my Roof Project. Thanks for your thoughts that gave me confidence to do this Project. Got the Permit to do the job. Design utilizes 2x6 rafters on 12" Centers - 12'x20' patio - 12' open span - 1/4" OSB and Raised Rib Metal top cover. Just finishing the Sofitt trim. Pix attached. Went with 1/2"/ft slope to be able to conserve headroom and stay under the House roof overhang. Greenfield,Indiana 30#tsqft snow load.

1. 

   Mike_Mahan |Sep 05, 2013 10:12am |#8

   Thanks for the up date.

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