Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Tips on how to fasten the posts of a patio roof to an existing deck
Patio roofs are a great way to provide shade and a sense of enclosure to outdoor decks. And, in some cases, patio roofs can be built more easily and affordably when a deck already exists to serve as a foundation.
Where local building codes allow this practice, you can bolt a patio overhead's posts directly to existing deck beams, joists, or other heavy structural members. Or, you can lag-screw through post bases and decking into the top of a deck joist or beam.
When bolting to the deck's structure, be sure to use heavy-duty galvanized lag screws that are long enough to penetrate the deck's framing by at least 2 inches.
Patio roofs are a great way to provide shade and a sense of enclosure to outdoor decks. And, in some cases, patio roofs can be built more easily and affordably when a deck already exists to serve as a foundation.