Ideas for Roof Bracing on a Porch

Columns

• The most common solution for supporting the porch roof is to hold it up around the edges with vertical columns that extend from the porch up to the roof. As long as these columns have adequate posts or foundations underneath them, they should do the job well. Railings that are built in between the columns also help to make the whole structure stronger and less prone to movement. Decorative columns, in addition to holding up the roof, can serve as architectural accents and enhance the beauty of the building.

Diagonal Braces

• If the roof lacks a solid porch or foundation underneath it, it can be supported by diagonal braces that extend back at a 45 degree angle and attach to the building itself. While these braces are not as strong as vertical columns, they are adequate for smaller roofs. Angled braces should be made as large as possible, extending out to the front edge of the porch roof (the point farthest away from the building) for maximum strength.

Cables

• A less common but quite effective solution is to support the roof with cables attached to the top, running up at an angle and attached to the front of the building above the porch roof. This is often done with flat porch roofs. It is necessary for the building to be at least one story taller than the porch roof for this method to be possible. This method is generally used in special circumstances where columns and angled braces are less feasible, for example a roof that is extending out over water.

Internal Bracing

• Internal bracing is a possibility for porch roofs that are sagging in the middle. A custom truss can be manufactured that will be supported at the edges of the roof and press up underneath the center. These trusses are installed by jacking up the sagging center to where it is supposed to be, installing the truss to hold it there, and then removing the jack.