On a highset Queenslander, a split-level home or a house on a sloping block, the living areas are a storey up and the backyard is down below. The outdoor area that gets used is the deck at floor level, and that is where the roof goes. It is a different job from a patio on a slab, with more height, more wind and more ways to fix it.
Four ways to do it
- Roof over the existing deck, fixed to the house and carried on posts down to the ground.
- A new deck and roof built together, with one set of posts and footings for both.
- A flyover from the upper roof line, lifted above the gutter for height and light.
- A freestanding roof over the deck, on its own posts, where the house cannot take the load.
Can the old deck carry it?
A roof adds weight and, more importantly, wind uplift. An older deck was rarely designed for that. Posts that run from the ground straight past the deck to the roof are the usual answer: they carry the roof on their own footings and leave the deck as it is. If the deck itself is tired, rebuilding the deck and the roof together is often the better value.
Fixing to the house
On an old timber home, the fascia is rarely strong enough to hang a roof from. We fix to the rafters or the wall frame with brackets, or use a flyover that sits on the existing roof structure. Where the house is fragile or the owner would rather not touch it, a freestanding roof avoids it altogether.
Height and wind
A roof a storey up is more exposed than one on the ground, and the posts are long. The engineering for your wind rating sets the post size, the footings and the bracing. On a hilltop or an open slope the rating is often higher, and the design reflects that.
Building it
Working at height takes more care. The frame goes up on temporary props while the posts and beams are fixed, then the roof goes on. It takes a little longer than a patio on a slab, and we plan safe access to the deck and the roof before we start.
Approval
- A deck more than 1 m above the ground needs a building approval, and so does any roofed deck.
- A balustrade is needed where someone could fall 1 m or more: at least 1 m high, with no gap a 125 mm sphere can pass through.
- On a Brisbane character house built before 1947, a patio at the back is usually assessed like any other, while anything forward of the house is restricted.
- Over an Urban Utilities sewer, a deck more than 1.2 m high needs a removable section of about 1.5 × 1.5 m for access to the connection.
Under the deck
The space under a high deck can become a shaded area of its own, a spot for the boat, or storage. Under a roofed deck it stays drier, but water still comes through the decking boards. If you want it dry underneath, a waterproof deck membrane or a ceiling under the joists can be added. Keep in mind that enclosing the space underneath can change how it is classed for approval.
Matching the house
- A gable roof suits the pitch of most Queenslanders and gives a high ceiling.
- Heritage colours such as Manor Red, Classic Cream and Woodland Grey suit tin roofs and timber.
- Timber-look steel posts give the traditional look without the upkeep.
- An insulated roof keeps the deck cool and quiet in rain, and gives a ceiling for fans.
Stairs and the view
Plan the stairs from the deck to the yard with the roof, so the roof covers the top of the stairs and the posts do not land in the way. On a deck with a view, set the beam high enough that it does not cut across the view when you sit down.
Getting a price
Send us photos of the deck from the yard and from the house, and the height from the ground. We measure up, check what the house and the deck can carry, and price the roof, or the deck and roof together, with the approval included.