New Porch Roof

[smeester]

Hi,

I have a two story home. Lower story brick veneer, upper is vinyl siding. I have a concrete patio across the entire back of my home that is approximately 6' x 40'. I want to build a shed roof to cover this patio. How do I determine the size of lumber (headers, joists, etc.) adequate to support a shingled roof, and whether I can get by with just rafters and headers (instead of building or buying trusses). I am no stranger to tools and wood working, but I don't want to build something that won't withstand the wind and weather. Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

[roger g]

First thing is where do you live? Do you have snow? Are you allowed to cover you patio?Earthquake area? Hurricane area? If you can cover it can you enclose it? (2 different things)
Since you will need a building permit I would check with your local inspector and they are usually a wealth of information. A 6 foot span is really nothing. Get a local contractor to give you a price and he will tell you what he is supplying and you never know it might not be too expensive fo him to do it. At least you will know how much you have saved if you do it yourself. Sometimes you can hire a carpenter by the hour and you be his helper. If nothing else you can learn a lot.

Roger

[Rich]

For the headers - it depends on what spacing you will have posts. I would suggest nothing over 8' for spacing - 8' works out well for the length you have also. IE all the spaces would be the same.
You're probably looking at everything at 2x6 rafters with double 2x6 headers - but you will need to conform with the building departments requirements like Roger stated - so start there.