Potential Difficulties with Roof Design
We are in the final design phase of our super insulated home and need some advice. The difficulty is with the eastern side of the house(entrance way) keeping in mind that an in-law apt. will be added in the future. The two final designs are attached. One with a flat roof porch and one with a high porch roof with beam supports.
The Problem: We prefer the high roof design but have concerns in two areas:
One: We live in New England, and worry about having too much water flowing down the valley to the left of the garage. This plan would call for a gutter on the garage with possible an extra downspout at end the valley. We also would plan for “snow angels” to be installed on the metal roof.
Two: For you engineers and builders…….we are concerned with wind lift (You know how those Nor’easter storms are in New England) Note: the posts will be secured in a frost protected designed porch (no deep footings)
The second design with the flat rubber roofed porch roof is not as architecturally appealing but seemingly more functional. The dark area above the porch is rubber over layers of ice and water. Any comments will be helpful
note: we are in zone 5A Northeast CT
thanks John S.
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Replies
What direction is it all facing? Where is south?
The first picture, with the garage doors, is east. The second picture is south. Third is east again with no in-law apartment. Picture 4, 5, & 6 are all east, without in-law and 2 different versions of the in-law. We should have also pointed out that these were quick sketch ups and all the windows were not added.
John S,
I think it's time for a redesign. None of your suggested options work.
First of all, this is a "garage forward" design, in which the two garage doors dominate the approach and detract from the elegance of the entry. That's unfortunate.
Secondly, you're right that the valley shouldn't be directing snow or rain towards your driveway.
Third, none of the suggested entry porch roofs work, aesthetically or practically.
I would separate the apparent mass of the garage from the house, either physically or by design tricks, and create a separate garage roof with the gable above the garage doors. The designer needs to create more of a visual separation between the garage doors and the main entry, as well as a total rethinking of the roof slopes.