PORCH ROOF types
A porch roof can take many forms, from a tiny gable at the entry to a full-width construction that wraps around the house on two or more sides. The most recognizable type is probably the shed roof, where the roof slopes away from the house. Another simple form is the extension roof, where the porch roof is merely an extension of the roof of the house. Still others may accommodate roofed structures within the roof massing, such as gazebo bump-outs.
The pitch of a porch roof may be steep, shallow, or nearly flat. Some, especially those that wrap around two or more sides of the house, may have multiple pitches. Obviously, the amount of maintenance required varies depending on the complexity of the roof and how the structure is exposed to the elements. Common types include:
EXTENSION a porch under the overhang of the house roof
SHED a roof with only one plane, attached to the house along a horizontal sill plate
DUAL-PITCHED an extension roof with a change of pitch, often where the porch roof meets the house
FRONT GABLE a porch roof under a full gable, with the same orientation as the house
GALLERY, DOUBLE GALLERY a long, corridor-like covered porch, sometimes stacked to open off two or more storeys
L-SHAPED a roof that forms an L on two sides of the house
PORTICO a porch or covered area supported entirely by columns
PEDIMENT a porch roof with a triangular gable end, supported by columns