Hi and thank you for this forum. I would like to build a roof onto my house for 2 cars to park under. I started looking at metal carports but I want it to look like part of the house. I have a hip roof and trying to decide if I should support with posts under the overhang or tie into the existing roof. My main hangup with the second option is I have 55 year old gutters that I would have to cut and I do not know how to cap the ends of the gutters. Also wondering if I go that route should I remove the facia and nail to the rafters or go higher and attach to the roof itself. I do know it will be a flat roof 24' along the house and 22' deep. Planning to support with 6x6 posts with 2x6's running on front and back of each post along the 24' span and the 2x6 rafters 16" on center resting on top of the joist. There would be 3 post on each side so six 2x6 joist would be supporting the 22 or so 2x6 rafters on a 1/12 pitch. I tried to attach pics of my house so you can see the situation but they will not upload for some reason. Thank you for any advice that you can offer.
Any Ideas?
- Thread starter treblot
- Start date
pattenp
Well-known member
To look like part of the house you need to tie it in to the structure. I highly recommend not doing a flat roof.
pattenp
Well-known member
The carport is not mine. It's just a picture I grabbed off the web. 
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pattenp
Well-known member
Sorry about that rouge post. That was in my clipboard when I posted and obviously had nothing to do with your post. So I deleted it.
pattenp
Well-known member
Here's some online info: http://www.woodworking-online.com/chapter7/1.html
The big box home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot sell how to books.
The big box home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot sell how to books.
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Thank you for that link. Now I know I have to go with a flat roof. That is way over my head. The way I am looking at it is a flat roof attached to the house is going to look a lot better than a steel structure stuck under the overhang.
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pattenp
Well-known member
You don't need to cut hole in existing roof.
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/tying-new-roof-to-old-one.aspx
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/tying-new-roof-to-old-one.aspx
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pattenp
Well-known member
Those are compound cuts. The two angles are the two roof pitches. Maybe you should stick with the flat roof.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Those are compound cuts. The two angles are the two roof pitches. Maybe you should stick with the flat roof.
A compound angle is simple to cut. Figure the pitch of the roof and the angle of the board going to the peak, set the saw and go. Lots of vids on the net explaining how to do it.
John in OH
Well-known member
Pattenp has given you some very good information and I agree with him that a flat roof would not look too good. A roof configuration as he shows in his attachments looks much better and far more professional. You always need to keep in mind how any addition or modification to your house will affect its value.
Regarding the main portion of your carport roof, you could build the trusses yourself, but trusses in the length you would need and at a common pitch of 3 or 4 are very inexpensive and fairly easy for two people to handle. Check out what your local lumber yard can provide and the cost. I think once you consider the cost of buying all the raw material and the hours you would spend making the trusses yourself you will find the cost of pre-fab trusses to be very attractive.
Regarding the framing that would be over your existing house roof ... yeah, some of those cuts on the bottom of the rafters will be compound cuts and a little tricky to make, but once you get the plank attached to your existing roof and the ridge board temporarily in place you can start making some experimental cuts until you get the correct angles figured out. You'll probably waste some material in the testing process so buy some extra just for your test cuts.
Regarding the main portion of your carport roof, you could build the trusses yourself, but trusses in the length you would need and at a common pitch of 3 or 4 are very inexpensive and fairly easy for two people to handle. Check out what your local lumber yard can provide and the cost. I think once you consider the cost of buying all the raw material and the hours you would spend making the trusses yourself you will find the cost of pre-fab trusses to be very attractive.
Regarding the framing that would be over your existing house roof ... yeah, some of those cuts on the bottom of the rafters will be compound cuts and a little tricky to make, but once you get the plank attached to your existing roof and the ridge board temporarily in place you can start making some experimental cuts until you get the correct angles figured out. You'll probably waste some material in the testing process so buy some extra just for your test cuts.
pattenp
Well-known member
If you get brave and do the gable style roof let us know and keep us up-to-date. If you chicken out and go with a flat roof then just don't tell us. 
Either way, wish you the best of luck.
Either way, wish you the best of luck.Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Hire a carpenter. If you have any local building codes a permit will have to be obtained which requires drawings.
Zeke
Well-known member
Well, I could cut that roof for you in a day, but who knows where you are?