What to Use When Laying a New Porch Roof

Roofing Material

• A porch roof typically is the same roofing surface as your home. This provides visual consistency and keeps the porch from looking like a separate element or structure. Asphalt shingles, tile, wooden shakes and metal are all appropriate for porch roofs. If you are laying your roof on a budget, you can consider synthetic roofing that imitates the roof on your home but costs less and is highly durable.

Lower Layers

• Besides the visible roof surface, a porch roof requires several materials, collectively known as sheathing, that are hidden below it but still serve important functions. If your porch's roof attaches to your home's roof or exterior walls, install metal step flashing to create a watertight seam between the surfaces. A layer of roof felt will help shingles or shakes lay properly, while additional flashing will let your porch's roof shed water into your gutter system.

Insulation

• While insulation in the roof helps maintain interior temperatures, a porch roof doesn't have the same needs. However, you can still use insulation to help regulate the temperature of the porch roof itself and the space directly below. Foam insulation isn't necessary, but a reflective radiant barrier can help keep the roof's surface cool and prevent the roof from conducting too much heat to the porch area.

Tools and Equipment

• Laying a porch roof requires a number of common tools. Metal cutters are used to cut flashing to size. Nails and a nail gun attach the sheathing and roofing. Safety equipment — including boots with good tread, heavy gloves and eye protection — is also important to prevent injuries while laying the porch roof. If your porch is especially high or steep, consider using a harness or net system to prevent accidents from falls.