Build a Patio Cover

 When you start to build a patio cover, you should define the area you will need to build a patio cover. Measure the area from the house to the outer edge of the slab deck and then measure from one side of that area to the other to get the width. A good formula for this is Projection plus width plus Projection equals total Lineal Foot. Your second measurement will be from the floor up to where your header will be mounted. The header can be mounted on the wall of your house or the overhang of the roof.

Locate your starting point for your header. When this is done, take one of your support posts and place it on the edge of your concrete slab and against the side of the house. Level the post and mark a line on the fascia board. This will represent the edge of your concrete slab. At this point you have to establish the amount of overhang you will want. The normal overhang is one to two feet. Take the amount of overhang and measure the distance using your mark on the fascia board as a starting point.

The end of your header should be one and a half inches longer to fold against the roof pan to prevent any water from leaking in. This should always be caulked on the box end. You should also fold and caulk the header onto the side of the riser now you can begin to install the header.

The first thing you do is putty tape the back side of the header with two rows of putty tape - one at the top and one right below the first. Take the first piece of header and slide the one-inch lip under the edge of the fascia board. Screw this firmly to the fascia board.

Screw the header through the tape through the top of the fascia board with a 10 x 2 “ screw. Screw through the fascia into each rafter tail. When you’re ready to install the second header notch out the end where the two meet. Approximately one inch allows it to be a better fit, and then screw the second piece of header as you did the first one. Remember if you’re installing behind the edge of a drip pan always use flashing to prevent leak. Bolt the post to the base and screw the post and beam together.

The next step is to install your post and beams. Locate where you want the post to be, measure this carefully when you find total distance and dividing by three this will give you the location of post. Drill holes in concrete base and then tap the anchors into the cement until it’s flush. You are now ready to put your post in place, but keep in mind that your roof has to have a gently slope for rain run off. Install your support beam, making sure it is level.

To install the roof pans make sure your first pan is square. Screw the box side first and then the beam side. Insert them on the outside of the flashing, before the flashing is screwed down. Make a chalk line between the bottom of the roof line to beam. Then you can install gutter braces and down spout.

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