If you’re planning a patio cover, one of the first questions we get is how the thing actually connects to your home. It’s a fair question. The answer changes depending on your wall height, your roofline, and how your house is put together. There are really three ways we do it, and which one we use comes down to your specific situation.
Ledger Attachment: The Most Common Method
The first option, and the one we use most, is attaching the cover directly to your wall. This is called a ledger attachment.
If your wall is tall enough and we can get up in there, we’ll run a ledger board and attach it right to the home, into the studs. The patio cover ties into that ledger board, and it becomes part of the structure of your house.
This method is clean and simple for most homes, which is why it’s our go-to whenever the wall allows for it.
Roof Mount: For Extra Height
The second option is a roof mount. Instead of coming off the wall, we go up on top of the roof.
We use this method when a project needs more height under the cover than a wall attachment can give. Maybe the wall just isn’t tall enough to provide the clearance you want.
When we mount to the roof, we use brackets designed to keep the roof waterproof and everything secure. You shouldn’t have to trade headroom for a leak down the road, and the right hardware is what makes that possible.
Freestanding: No Contact With the House
The third option isn’t attached to your home at all. We call this a freestanding patio cover.
With this method, the posts carry all the weight. They go straight into the ground, and there’s no contact with the house whatsoever.
This is a good route when the wall won’t work, the roofline is tricky, or you simply want the cover set out away from the home a bit.
How We Decide Which One Fits Your Home
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Your estimator will look at your home in person, including the wall height, the roofline, and how everything sits together, and tell you which method fits your project and why.
If you’ve got questions about any of this, ask us when we’re out there. That’s what we’re there for.
Thinking About a Patio Cover?
If you’re weighing whether your home can support a patio cover, or which attachment method makes sense for your layout, we’re happy to walk through it with you. Get an estimate and we’ll look at your home in person before recommending anything.