Roof Installation for a Sunroom

Types

• The type of roof you select for your sunroom -- and the procedure you must follow to install it -- will vary depending on the type of sunroom you select. For example, if you are constructing a patio room, which is similar to a roofed porch enclosed with mesh, you can install your sunroom roof to meet the pitch of your existing roof. Solarium sunrooms, which are enclosed with glass and used year round, generally require a straight eave or curved roof.

Converting Covered Porches

• If you are converting your existing covered porch into a sunroom, you may be able to do so without changing your current roofing. This depends on the building code in your area. Unlike roofed porches, sunroom roofs typically have a ventilation layer between the roof panels and shingles. Your local building code will determine whether the ventilation layer is required. If so, you must modify your porch's roof to meet code requirements during the conversion.

Aluminum Roof Frames

• Unlike covered porches, which are generally made of wood, Patriot Sunrooms & Home Solutions of Kirkwood, Missouri, notes that most modern sunrooms have aluminum frames because the material is both lightweight and sturdy.

  When installing a roof frame over aluminum beams, you must screw down the roofing beams rather than nailing them, as aluminum has a tendency to bounce when struck with a hammer. Aluminum is a versatile material and you can install aluminum roofing beams over either an aluminum or a wooden sunroom frame.

Considerations

• Regardless of whether you select aluminum or wood for your sunroom's roof, you must weatherproof the roof with underlayment before installing your roofing panels or shingles. The underlayment prevents moisture from passing through the roofing material and onto your sunroom's frame. Underlayment is particularly important if you construct your sunroom entirely of wood. Wood that is exposed to moisture for an extended period of time will rot -- leaving you saddled with the expense of repairing a damaged roof and wall frame.