How to Build a Roof Over a Front Door

Locate with a stud finder the wall studs, door header and wall framing outside the front door that will support the canopy. Measure using a measuring tape to mark the locations. Design the canopy to extend beyond the door’s sides, with its lower side 10 to 12 inches above the door height.

Attach a vertical 4-by-4-inch post to the wall framing at the width of the canopy using lag bolts. Ensure the two posts are level before installing. Use a power drill to drive 3/8-inch pilot holes through the siding, sheathing and framing. Insert 1/2-inch bolts into the holes using a wrench.

Measure and cut two wooden beams that are 4-by-4-inch to the desired depth of the canopy. Use a miter saw to cut one end of each beam to 45 degrees. Secure an end of each wood beam to the upper ends of the vertical wall posts using 3-inch galvanized screws.

Measure and cut two pairs of 2-by-4-inch wooden rafters to frame the roof. Use a speed square to angle the tops at the desired pitch. Put the square’s pivot point at the upper end of a rafter and align the pitch on the square to mark the angle.

Position the pivot point at the base of the board for the cut at the end. Use a circular saw to cut a triangular notch in the rafter’s ends that fit over the side beams' tops and edges.

Use galvanized screws to attach rafters to the side beams, setting the top ends together and attaching these with screws. Drive lag bolts through the inner pair of rafters and into the framing to secure the rafters to the wall.

Measure and cut a 1/2-inch strand board to fit the sides of the canopy to cover it. Spread the strand board over the canopy and secure it to the rafters using 8d galvanized nails. Ensure the board extends just past the edge of the rafter on the outside and beyond the side beams.

Attach roofing paper to the strand board on both sides of the roof with staples. Overlap the paper at the roof’s peak.

Attach 1-by-6-inch fascia boards pre-cut to the same pitch as the rafters. Nail these to the outer rafter, just below the roofing shingles. Cut the boards to fit the outer facing and wall boards before nailing them to the side beams.