I am getting ready to have a contractor screen in an existing deck with a gable roof. The contractor said he will need to support the deck with additional 6x6's on the sides as well as additiona l2x6's to provide the support of the structure. I would generally think that would be appropriate, however, I have also heard that there should also be support at the end of the deck? I have the existing support that runs about 1.5 ft from the end, but was told by other contractors that in order to support the screened in porch the support 6x6's need to go all the way to the end of the deck on the outside. My contractor said that the support for the gable roof really needs to be on the sides and not the end.
Answer:
Your contractor is right but if you have rafters instead of trusses, you might want to think about a centre support unless you also have sturdy cross ties.
