Roofing for Your Porch

When people think about roofing, most immediately have thoughts of asphalt shingled roofs.  In actuality, there are many types of roofs and roofing material.  While some may think that all types of material can go on all types of roofs, this is simply not the case.  Porch roofs are a great example of smaller roofs that do not get the attention or care that they need.  If you need to repair, replace or put a roof on a new porch, try some of the tips below to get you started.

Evaluate
The first thing you need to do is evaluate the current roof on your porch.  Look at the type of material that is on it now and think about how well that material is holding up for you.  If you only have a few minor leaks that are the result of a heavy snowfall or a loose seam, it may be a good idea to replace like materials with like.  Also be sure to look at the slope and angle of the roof.  Does it drain properly?  Is water getting under seams or shingles?  These are important points to consider, as they will impact the type of material that you use to replace the current roofing material.

Choices
After you have evaluated the roof, decide if you will be replacing the current material with something different.  If you will be, take a trip to the home improvement store and talk with a roofing expert there to get his take on what type of material you should use.  In most cases, he will be able to direct you toward the right materials.  However, should you wish to replace the current roofing material with a new type and are unsure as to which to use, do some investigating on the Internet and look around at your neighbor's porch roofs to get an idea about what they are using.  If you are replacing the roofing material with the same type, it will be much easier to purchase the correct material in the right amount.  Replacing a roof, whether it is the roof on the main part of your house or over the back porch, is a big job.  If you feel like it is beyond your skill set, call in a professional roofer to complete the job correctly the first time.

Common Materials
Common types of roofing materials for porch roofs include shingles, roll-out roofing, and silver coating.  Shingles are ideal for sloped roofs with excellent drainage.  They may be trickier to install than the other two types, but they also tend to last much longer.  Roll-out roofing material is almost like paper roofing with texture.  You roll the material out onto the roof after putting down a barrier and caulk the seams together.  This is a good, inexpensive option if the seams are sealed properly.  You do have to watch out for cracks and holes in the material, as well as leaks in the seam.  Silver coated roofs are most often found on flat roofs.  They need to be re-coated once every four to five years to maintain their integrity.