How to Frame a Roof Against a Brick Wall

When adding a porch, awning or shed directly adjacent to a building, frame the roof against the wall with a rafter board. The rafter board will support the rafters, which in turn will support the roofing material. Brick walls do not typically have the strength to support the pressure of an attached roof. Guarantee a secure, safe porch roof by anchoring it to the bricks as well as to a framing member of the building, such as a second story band joist.

Rafter board
Level
Chalk
Drill
Hammer drill
Carbide bit
Carriage bolts
Hex nuts
Slip lock washers

Instructions

- 1
  Position the rafter board against the brick wall in the desired location. Set a level on top and adjust for evenness. Delineate the placement by tracing around the board in chalk.
- 2
  Mark the points on the rafter board where the rafters will be attached.
- 3
  Drill pilot holes spaced 16 inches apart for anchoring the rafter board to the wall. Drill pilot holes through the rafter board, using a drill bit with a diameter that will accommodate the diameter of the carriage bolts. Reverse the placement of each pilot hole so half sit near the top of the board and half sit near the bottom. Avoid placing holes in the marked rafter end locations.
- 4
  Position the rafter board against the brick wall in the desired location. Set a level on top and adjust for evenness. Delineate the placement by tracing around the board in chalk. Also mark the pilot hole locations on the wall. Set the rafter board aside.
- 5
  Drill corresponding pilot holes through the brick and house-framing member. Drill through brick using a hammer drill with a carbide drill bit.
- 6
  Set the rafter board back in place. Slide carriage bolts through the holes. Tighten hex nuts with slip lock washers onto the ends of the carriage bolts to secure the rafter board in place.

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