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How: Attach patio cover ledger

theHulk | Posted in Construction Techniques on April 9, 2006 11:44am

I am building a patio/deck cover that will use the polycarbonate 12’x2′ panels that Home Depot, McLendon’s sell. The framing will be 2×6 rafters on 24″ centers with cross blocking of 2×6 every 24″ effectively forming a grid. The width of the cover will be 20′ and depth 12′. The beam is a 4×6 on 4×4 posts spaced about every 6′-8″ on center. The beam will sit about 7’6″ above the deck surface and parallels the house about 10’4″ out. The ledger will likely be a 2×8.

This is to be attached to a two story house and there is an overhanging eave. A few times a year we’ll get a driving rain that brings water at the house.

The house has Hardie Plank lap siding over tar paper over 7/16 OSB sheating.

My question is this. Which is the best practice for attaching the ledger to the house? Should I open the siding and lag directly to the sheating or is it acceptable to lag through the siding with caulking in the holes and getting the ledger flush and perpendicular?

What other details do I need to attend to in order to ensure a weatherproof finish?

Best Regards,

Tom Clowers

Reply

Replies

  1. calvin | Apr 10, 2006 02:48am | #1

    Remove the siding where the ledger will go (allowing for enough room for the roofing) and properly flash both above and below the ledger.  Make proper connection of the ledger to the framing-not sheeting.

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    1. theHulk | Apr 10, 2006 10:31am | #2

      What would be considered proper flashing both above and below the ledger. In addition, how should the ends of the ledger where they butt with the siding be treated? What do I do to prevent leaks there?

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