I’ve attached two photos that show the rear of a house that I’m currently remodeling. I’ve installed a set of french patio doors where a double window used to be. The patio doors will eventually lead out on to a deck.
Since the patio doors are exposed directly to the elements, I’d really like to construct some type of roof over the entrance. This would help reduce the risk of rain penetration and provide a bit of convenience during inclement weather. I’m thinking along the lines of a small gable roof, but I’d prefer not to have support posts running down to the deck since it would likely result in an awkward appearance.
I’d sure appreciate any ideas or suggestions.
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Replies
If it were me I'd either leave it as is (cause the overhang will help a lot with rain unless it's wind driven)....
or I'd build a deck large enought and turn the whole thing into a screened in sun porch with a gable roof dying back into the existing one.
Any little roof without the proper support will look as if it weren't planned and a quick fix.....IMO
Lao Tzu....how do you do....
Ask Mike Smith if he doesn't have a bracketed idea that would fit in that application. His latest picture thread has all sorts of nice brackets (that wouldn't fit your decor) that add to the look of the house.
I know you could cantelever an entry cover with framing coming back into the house and carry the same fascia line around. Would look as though it were hanging there.
You could build a pergola that would look good with the deck, provide some shading and if you thought it out, probably could insert some rain screen at the doorway.
So, how's the budget?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
"So, how's the budget?"
Calvin, if my budget was a horse...I'd shoot it and put it out of its misery.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I'd be concerned that using brackets to support a significant extension of the roof would require some rather large brackets that would extend pretty far down the wall at each side of your door. If the brackets have a 45 degree angle, they will come as far down the wall as they extend out from it. You couldn't attach them to the brick veneer, either - the horizontal force componant of the reaction at the bracket ends might crack the brick.
I don't think the appearance of columns supporting a roof over the deck would necessarily look strange. Some suggestions -
Make the columns supporting the roof larger than any posts supporting the deck railing. Make the roof a few feet wider than the door, and try to have an odd number of railing segments between the porch columns. Bump the roof and deck below out a couple of feet beyond the deck on each side to emphasize it as a special feature.
I know the above suggestions mean more money. If I were in your position, I wouldn't spend money on a short extension to the roof - as someone pointed out, you do have a substantial overhang already that will keep out the worst of the weather. I'd wait until I could afford a roof area large enough to function as a small outdoor room, with screened porch or whatever. I think you'd get a lot more enjoyment out of the investment.
Are you looking for something like this?
http://www.richardburbidge.co.uk/rburbidge-277
Thanks for the link, Framer. And thanks to all of you for the feedback. I think the idea about the screened porch/deck combo is probably going to be the most aesthetic and functional of the possible options. Of course, that will drive up the cost even more. You just don't know how good that makes me feel.
I used to worry about what I'd do with all my time and money if I ever got rich. But, thanks to this remodeling project, I'll never have to worry about that again for as long as I live.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
From the detail picture, it seems like you already have something like an 18" overhang protecting the door. This is far more protection than most doors get these days. You didn't say whether the door faces south, or what the local weather patterns are like.
In my opinion, the most vulnerable spot of a door or window is at the head. You've got that part covered in spades.
Keeping the entire door protected would require something like a 5' or 6' overhang. My front door has a covered porch of this depth, and the bottom rail sees a little rain about once a year. Snow is worse, of course, because the flakes blow horizontally so easily -- but I don't know if you get any snow at your location.
If you really want a covered and/or screened porch, then decide on that project on that reason alone. But if you're only concern is protecting the door, then I honestly wouldn't worry about it.
In your spot I'd think about what direction the door faces first. Is a driving rain really going to attack the door? Or is the weather more likely to be worse on the other side of the house? Decorative side walls that extend on both sides of the door at a depth of your overhang would add detail at less cost while shielding the door sill more often. Depending on the direction the weather is coming from. Only a head on driving rain would get to it. And how often is that likely to happen? Is a roof worth the expense?
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Building as thou art paranoid never harmed anyone.