Tips for Building a Roof Over a Patio

If your patio catches too much sun or if you want to try sprucing up your home’s outdoor appeal, you may consider building a roof over your patio. This could end up being a great decision for you in the long run, but as with most roofing jobs, the process can get very complicated if you do not have the right professionals at your side. This is where ServiceWhale can help. Our contractors have years of professional roofing experience and, with their help, we have compiled this short collection of tips for you to keep in mind when building a roof over a patio.

Keep Your Existing Roof in Mind

If your patio or deck is considered a part of your home, the patio roof should be as well. In other words, your patio roof should look like a natural extension of the main roofing. To do this, you will want to calculate the rise and run of your existing roof and then construct your patio roof accordingly. For the most part, your patio roof should be about the same as your home’s roof; this includes with roofing material.

Select the Right Roofing Materials

Whatever roofing material you choose for your patio roof does not necessarily have to match the rest of the home’s roofing but it probably should if you want to prevent it from becoming a likely neighborhood eyesore. At the very least, the rise and run of your roof will also dictate what specific materials are available to it: a roof with a rise of 4 or more, for instance, can use shingles, tile, slate, etc., but a roof with a rise of 3 or less is likely limited to asphalt shingles.

During this step of the process is when you will really want professional help.

Understand Electrical Requirements

If you plan on incorporating electrical features such as lights or fans when building a roof over a patio, you should definitely make sure to do your homework beforehand. Electrical complications can doom many non-professional roofing projects, so keep this in mind when planning your design.

Note the Doors and Windows

You should note the location of all your doors and windows when deciding where to place your patio roof and how tall it should be. Generally speaking, you need to leave at least three to five inches of space between the roofing and your highest windows but you can get a much better idea of exact numbers by checking your local codes and applying for any permits as needed.

Hire a ServiceWhale Contractor Today!

Building a roof over a patio is never easy but it can be made a lot more difficult by attempting to tackle the job yourself. By hiring a ServiceWhale contractor instead, you are getting access to years of licensed professional experience that will ensure your next roofing is built to last. In order to learn more about how a ServiceWhale contractor could help you or for a list of the many other services we offer, contact one of our representatives today and get started.