Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 5/2/2008

Question
I want to add a gabled portico (with the same pitch as the roof on the house) to an existing brick colonial (2-story) with an existing porch. Are there any special considerations for attaching this structure to the brick wall?  [Of course, the front end of the portico will be supported by 2 columns]. My main concern is providing enough support where it meets the building. Thanks much.

Answer
Hi Joe - thanks for your question!

You've got three ways to do this:

1) Attach a ledger board (aligned with the rafters) to the brick veneer with masonry anchors or "tap-con" screws.  That'll give you a solid wood base to attach the porch roof structure to.  It will work, but unless it's a very small porch I don't recommend it.

2) Remove some of the bricks and fill the openings with treated lumber blocking that is thru-bolted to the frame of the building.  Attach your ledger boards to the wood instead of the brick veneer.  A more difficult to build approach, but it puts the load on the frame instead of the veneer.

3) Build pilasters against the wall to support the back end of the roof.  The pilasters should be 1/2 columns that match the full columns at the other end, and should be anchored to the brick veneer, but should bear fully on solid structure below (don't just hang them off the brick).  You can still use the anchored ledgers for the roof structure, but with the pilasters installed they won't be carrying all the weight of the porch.  I think this is the best looking option also.

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com