My house has a pergola style back porch with the porch roof as a lean-to off the house roof. The pergola itself is cedar and the roofing is polycarbonate sheets. We've been in the house a little over a year, and the back porch has leaked when it rains since we've been here. Finally deciding to fix it.

The framing is in great shape, but the polycarb panels leak in several places, and the seam where the the porch roof flashes into the main house shingle roof leaks badly. I got a quote to remove the panels and replace with a brand new roof of the same material, and they would replace the flashing to the house roof. This system wouldn't require any fasteners that would penetrate the polycarbonate panels, and the whole thing has a 10 year warranty against any leaks.

Before I pull the trigger, I'm wondering if I should go a different direction. I've got enough slope on the pergola roof to do any kind of metal paneling, and I'm wondering if that would be a better option. Anyone here have experience with this scenario?

This post was edited on 1/7/21 at 5:37 pm

3 ...

Report Post

Posted by CoachChappy

Member since May 2013

32535 posts

Posted on 1/8/21 at 6:25 am to lob1284

We built one like that when I bought my house 8 years ago. I hired some Mexicans that worked for a contractor I know. They did a decent job. Eventually, it leaked. We were new hime owners and price was a major concern.

Last year, we upgraded to an insulated patio cover and are extremely happy! It’s significantly cooler (20-30*) in the hot months and has a 20yr warranty on parts and labor. No leaks even in hurricanes. My wife swears it’s warmer under here this winter. Maybe so. The only outside materials I had to purchase were the cypress 8x8s which weren’t necessary, but we just wanted them.

I’m not saying this is your best route, but I highly suggest looking into it. If you’re in the Lafayette area, I can recommend my guy. I shopped everyone.

However, if you’re happy with the quote you got, go for it. You could come back with tin or another metal. All are good options. It comes down to how much you want to spend/what look you want.

This post was edited on 1/8/21 at 6:28 am

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by BMoney

Baton Rouge

Member since Jan 2005

16269 posts

Posted on 1/8/21 at 7:57 am to lob1284

I'll second the aluminum patio cover. We had almost exactly what you currently had with all the same issues, and some of the wood had started to rot as well. I took nearly the entire structure down when we got a new roof last spring and had it replaced with an aluminum patio cover. It's so much nicer, and while not insulated, it's still a good bit cooler than what I had previously (was also able to install a ceiling fan).

Pic from before fan install:

This post was edited on 1/8/21 at 7:59 am

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by LSUlove

Louisiana

Member since Oct 2003

518 posts

Posted on 1/8/21 at 3:53 pm to lob1284

We have the same type of pergola lean to porch. It used to have a sunbrella fabric which was original when we purchased the house. For a hurricane several years ago, that ended torn to pieces. I decided to come back with painted plywood sheets on the ceiling and aluminum sheeting on top of that. It looks great, much better than the fabric did and the plywood offers some insulation to the noise of rain on the aluminum. Plus it has held up for other hurricanes with no damage. It has been up there for 7 years and no leaking.

Page 1