Covered decks and porch roofs in Lancaster and Chester County, PA

A roof over a deck is a structure in its own right. It carries snow, so the posts go down to footings that can take it, the beams and rafters are sized for the span, and the roof is tied into the house with a ledger and flashing at the wall. A shed roof runs under the second-floor windows, a gable gives height and light, and a hip matches many houses. The ceiling is beadboard or tongue-and-groove, with the wiring for a fan and lights run before it goes on, and the roofing matches the house in shingle or standing-seam metal.

• Roof shape and ceiling height, which set how much light reaches the room inside.
• Ceiling: painted beadboard, stained tongue-and-groove, or exposed rafters.
• Fan, recessed lights, and outlets, wired before the ceiling closes.
• Screens: a covered deck can be screened in now or built so screens can be added later.
• Gutters and where the water goes, so the roof does not dump on the stairs.

A deck roof needs a building permit and, because it is a roof, a zoning check for setbacks and coverage. The post footings, the framing, and the ledger are inspected. We prepare the drawings, walk you through the permit, and meet the inspector.