How to Build a Barbecue Roof Area

Mark the dimensions of the roof area on the ground in powdered chalk. Keep the lines straight either in a rectangle or square. Write the measurements down so you know how big the roof will be.

Dig 3-foot deep holes with a post hole digger at each corner. Make the holes 16-by-16 inches. Add a layer of about 3 inches of gravel to the bottom of the holes. Tamp the gravel down with the end of a wooden board to make a solid foundation.

Mix a batch of cement in a wheelbarrow according to the package direction. Place the longer 12-by-6-by-6 wooden posts in the front corner of the shelter. Hold the posts upright and pack the cement around the posts. Place the 9-foot posts in the back corners and pack the holes full of cement. Keep the posts straight by using a carpenter’s level. Let the concrete dry for 48 hours.

Attach a 2-by-4 board the same length as the distance of the two front posts. Nail the board in with long galvanized nails and a hammer. Add a 2-by-4 board across the top of the two back posts. Ensure that the crossbeams are secured tightly.

Nail 2-by-4s across the top between the front and back posts. Add a board every 3 to 4 feet, working from one side to the other. You need a 3-foot drop between the front of the roof and the back to repel rain and snow.

Place the first panel of corrugated tin roofing in a lower corner and leave a couple of inches of tin hanging off the roof edges. The grooves in the roofing channel water downward so orient the piece to drain the water down the back of the shelter.

Nail the first piece into the crossbeams spacing the nails every 12 inches. Overlap the first piece with the second piece of tin roofing. Keep adding pieces of roofing until the whole roof is covered. Cover each spot with a nail with clear silicone caulk to prevent leaks into the barbeque area. Paint the shelter and roof with exterior paint.