How to Build a Covered Side Walkway
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A covered side walkway can turn a dead strip beside the house into a dry route for bins, bikes, garden tools and everyday storage. The important part is not just the roof; it is the route, drainage, boundary position and how the structure sits against the house.
Tools
- Tape measure, pencil, chalk line and long level
- Drill/driver and masonry bits
- Saw, square, clamps and ladder
- Spanners or socket set for post bases
- Sealant gun, tin snips and PPE
Materials
- Treated posts, ledger board, beams and rafters
- Post bases, anchors, brackets and exterior fixings
- Clear roof sheets and compatible fixings
- Wall flashing, guttering, downpipe and water butt or drain connection
- Hooks, rails or shelving if adding storage
1. Plan the Route, Clearance and Drainage
Start by measuring the usable path width, door swings, gate access and anything that must pass through the space. Mark where posts can sit without narrowing the walkway too much. Decide the roof fall and where rainwater will go before you buy materials. The gutter should take water to your own drain, soakaway or water butt, not over the boundary.
- Keep enough headroom along the full route.
- Leave air bricks, vents and inspection covers accessible.
- Check whether the fence is yours before fixing anything near it.
- Plan storage so it does not create trip hazards.
2. Fix the Ledger and Set the Post Line
Fix the wall ledger to sound masonry using fixings suitable for the wall type. Keep it below windows, above head height where possible and clear of the damp proof course. Set the post line on your side of the boundary, then use post bases or suitable foundations so the timber is not sitting in standing water.
3. Build the Frame and Rafters
Install the outer beam, check the posts are plumb, then add rafters at the spacing required for your roof sheet system. Keep the fall consistent so water runs to the gutter without ponding. Dry-fit the roof sheets before fixing so you can check overlaps and edge positions.
4. Fit Roof Sheets, Flashing and Guttering
Fit roof sheets using the manufacturer's fixings and overlap guidance. Add flashing where the roof meets the wall and seal it carefully. Fit guttering with a slight fall toward the downpipe, then test the route with water before calling it finished.
5. Add Storage and Final Checks
Once the structure is dry and sound, add hooks, rails or narrow shelves only where they leave a clear walking route. After heavy rain, check for drips at the wall, ponding on the roof, splashback near the house and any water crossing the boundary.
Open the checklist builder | Use the postcrete calculator | Estimate fixings | Plan the budget