How to Build Patio Roof A patio roof offers much-needed protection from the sun where you and

your loved ones can relax. Roofing a patio can provide you with shade, keeping your skin from withering away on those excessively sunny days. Patios may differ in dimensions because of design or preference, but roofing them requires a fairly standard method that you can do on your own. Measure the patio to determine the dimensions for the roof. Cut 4-by-4-inch lumber into 4 posts that measure 10 feet in length; 1-by-4-inch and 1-by-6-inch lumber into eight 30-inch boards each; and 2-by-6-inch lumber into enough planks to stretch across the patio in one direction, spaced 10 inches apart. The length of these posts will depend on the dimensions of the patio, accounting for about 10 inches of overlap past each supporting post. Cut plywood sheets into pieces large enough to cover the top of the wood beams. Saw 2-by-4-inch rectangles out of the faces of 4 of the 2-by-6-inch beams, spaced every 10 inches. These are the outer beams and form the border of the patio area. Saw an identical space out of the remaining boards approximately 10 inches from their ends. Sand all the wood, and treat it to prevent weather damage. Dig four holes at each corner of the patio, extending 2 feet in depth and measuring at least 10-inches in diameter. Assemble the 1-by-4-inch and 1-by-6 inch boards into 4 box braces, using 2-inch nails, that measure 30 inches in length and have a perfect 4-by-4-inch square hole in the middle. Slide the braces into the ground holes and fill the area outside of them with concrete. This will form the hole for the 4-by-4-inch posts. Place the 4-by-4 posts into the 4-by-4-inch holes you created. Ensure that exactly 8 feet of post extend above ground and drill a hole measuring 5/8-inch all the way through each brace-post coupling. Bolt the posts into position using a 7-by-5/8-inch bolt and lock each in place with a nut on the other side. Choose the direction to which your crossbeams will be directed and drill a 5/8-inch hole into the topmiddle of each post, perpendicular to this direction. Drill two matching holes into the flat face of each 2-by-6-inch board, approximately 12 inches from the ends of each, to line up with the holes drilled on the top of the posts. This should leave around 10 inches of board extending past the post. Lift your first beam into position against the outside of the posts, line up the holes, and put a 10-inch bolt through them, locking with a nut on the inside of the patio area. Repeat this on the other side. Slide one of the remaining two outer beams into place, fitting the pieces together into the rectangular cutout. Repeat this on the other side. Fit the remaining boards into position, spacing them 10 inches apart, fitting each into the cutouts. Drill a 5/8-inch hole from the top of the boards, through the center of each intersection, locking them together with a nut from the bottom.

Lay the plywood boards over the inner perimeter of the patio area, on top of the patio cover and secure them into place using 2-inch nails or screws at each intersection. From within the patio area, there should be a beautiful cross-beam appearance with a clean wood cover. If your patio is too large to reach all of the intersections safely from a ladder, use extra caution when moving on top of the roof. Youll Need: Measuring tape Ladder 4-by-4-inch lumber 1-by-4-inch lumber 1-by-6-inch lumber 2-by-6-inch lumber 1/2-inch plywood Electric sander Wood treatment Shovel 2-inch nails Concrete Power drill 5/8-inch drill socket 7-by-5/8-inch bolts 5/8-inch nuts 10-by-5/8-inch bolts