What is a porch overhang and why is it necessary?

Overhang is the part of a roof that extends over the edge of the porch. Its primary purpose is to shield your outdoor living space from the weather. If the roof overhang is too small, water can run down the walls and cause building materials to rot.

How much overhang should a porch roof have?

A typical porch overhang is 12 inches long. However, the size may be significantly smaller or larger depending on where you live. If you live in a wet climate, an overhang up to 24 inches may be necessary. In a dry climate, you may not need much of an overhang at all.

7 Porch Roof Design Ideas for Your Home

A well-designed porch is a great place to relax and get some fresh air. If you have an open porch or patio, adding a roof can increase your comfort by adding shade and protection from the elements.

The type of porch roof you build depends on the style of your home, the look you’re after, and your local building codes. Whether you’re building a porch from scratch or renovating an existing covered porch, look to our best porch roof ideas for inspiration.

1. Porch Roof for Bungalow Homes

A bungalow is a single story type of house that may have a partial second story. They’re usually small homes, and a broad, beautiful front porch is a defining bungalow feature.

Covered front porch with a shingle roof and natural wood railings adds charm and structure to this brick home facade. — Source: @ballash_woodworks via Instagram

Bungalows have low-pitched roofs, so a low-pitched porch roof is fitting. These homes often have a gable roof supported by thick, Craftsman style columns made of wood and stone. A bungalow porch is deep and wide, and the porch space is often used as an outdoor living room.

2. Cabin Porch Roof Designs

A rustic cabin porch or deck can support basically any roof style. A gable roof may be a good idea if it coordinates with the cabin’s roof line. Exposed rafters or beams add architectural interest and a country cabin vibe.

Rustic wooden porch with a metal roof and exposed beams, featuring cozy seating, hanging lights, and blooming tulips in front. — Source: @ballash_woodworks via Instagram

Log cabin porch with dark wood railings and a shingle roof, decorated with a small pumpkin and surrounded by lush greenery. — Source: @lazycreekcabin via Instagram

Cozy wooden porch with a metal roof and rocking chairs, surrounded by snowy woods and playful dogs in the front yard. — Source: @myswallowsnest via Instagram

Modern porch with a metal roof, natural wood beams, red door, and matching red chairs creates a bold and inviting entryway. — Source: @plaids.and.poppies via Instagram

If you need a simpler type of porch roofing, a flat roof with metal panels can add to the rustic aesthetic. A shed roof addition is suitable for a cabin that has a smaller porch design.

3. Canopy Roofs for Front Entrances

A canopy roof is a small structure built over a front entrance to provide some protection from the elements. This small-scale roof addition is rarely big enough to be considered an actual porch roof, although it may extend far enough from the door and wall to feel like a tiny porch.

Small front door gable with exposed timber trusses adds character to this brick and cream-colored cottage-style entryway. — Source: @oak_frames_norfolk via Instagram

Small porch roofs like these look best when they coordinate with the rest of the home’s exterior. Use the same type of roofing material that is used on the home’s roof, or get creative with copper or other metal roofing material.

4. Implement Flat Roof Design

Flat roofs are exactly as they sound: flat and level. Commonly found on historic old house porches, a flat roof is cheaper and easier to build than a sloped roof. Many people like the way a flat porch roof follows the natural landscape’s horizontal lines.

Simple modern porch roof extends from the main structure, creating a clean-lined sheltered entryway on this red brick home. — Source: @renovating443 via Instagram

Flat modern porch roof with clean lines and recessed lighting complements the minimalist architecture of this snowy contemporary home. — Source: @hughjeffersonrandolpharchitect via Instagram

Angled modern porch roof with metal trim adds sleek contrast to this two-story brick home with dark-framed windows and clean lines. — Source: @d_pohrte via Instagram

Traditional front porch with a dark ceiling and white trim, featuring a wood door, flower pots, and classic railing for a welcoming look. — Source: @theverdanthomect via Instagram

Many people assume these are bad porch roof ideas because they aren’t sloped to enhance drainage. However, flat roofs can be designed to drain water fairly well.

5. Create Classic Look with Gable Porch Roof

A gable roof is a triangle shaped roof with sloped sides that connect at a ridge down the center of the enclosure. A gable roof matches many house designs, so it may be your preference if you want a new covered or screened porch to look like it was on the home’s original blueprints.

Gable porch roof with rustic wooden brackets and tiled covering adds charm and structure above a natural wood front door. — Source: @briskconstructionltd via Instagram

Gable porch roof with wood beams and a dark ceiling adds rustic contrast to the black brick home with double doors and fall decor. — Source: @greyandsimcontractinginc via Instagram

Craftsman-style home with a gable porch roof, white columns, stone bases, and warm lighting that creates a cozy and elegant curb appeal. — Source: @faillajason via Instagram

Classic gable porch roof with white trim and columns frames a dark front door, flanked by lantern-style lights and seasonal planters. — Source: @constructionlewis via Instagram

Charming yellow Victorian home with a gable porch roof, tapered columns, and detailed trim creates a welcoming and timeless facade. — Source: @cummingsarchitects via Instagram

Colorful row houses with gable porch roofs, decorative columns, and cozy front sitting areas add charm and personality to the urban block. — Source: @noplacelikehome_ct via Instagram

Clean and simple gable porch roof with white trim and open rafters, paired with dark wood steps and tropical landscaping. — Source: @laurentaylor_design via Instagram

Gable roofs overhang the porch sides and allow rain or snow to run off. Sometimes a gabled roof addition is built on a flat or sloped existing roof, serving as an architectural feature that draws attention to the front door.

6. Elevate Your Porch with Hipped Roof Style

A hipped roof, or hip roof, is more complicated to build than a gable roof. A square hipped porch roof has slopes on all four sides. It is shaped like a pyramid, but with gently sloping sides.

Grand wraparound porch with a low-pitched roof and brick columns adds timeless character to this classic Victorian-style home. — Source: @onceuponahaus via Instagram

Traditional front porch with a hipped roof, white railing, and decorative screen door adds charm to this yellow house with green trim. — Source: @sarapfannkuche via Instagram

White two-story home with a hip-roof front porch supported by brick columns, surrounded by a manicured lawn and tree-lined street. — Source: @carlieb_design via Instagram

Traditional front porch with a red metal shed roof and decorative trim, featuring white railings and a cozy urban seating area. — Source: @therealtor.aaron.schwartz via Instagram

Charming white farmhouse with a low-pitched porch roof, decorative brackets, and a wraparound design surrounded by lush landscaping. — Source: @perkinshouse via Instagram

Hip roofs add elegance to a covered patio, porch, or other outdoor space. A hip roof structure is also more stable than a gable roof’s, making them one of the better porch roof ideas if you live in a windy or snowy climate.

7. Innovate with Shed Roof Ideas for Porches

A shed roof is attached to the house wall on one side. It has a single sloped roof surface that’s held up on the lower end by columns or other support posts.