Whether you've recently constructed a new porch or wraparound deck or have had one for years, you may find that sitting outside comfortably is difficult for much of the year. Between burning sun, chilly rain, and sleet and snow, your enjoyment of your new deck can be compromised without a roof. However, extending your existing roof can be a pricey prospect. What can you do to add a roof to your porch without breaking the bank? Read on to learn more about your least expensive (and most aesthetically-pleasing) options for roofing a porch or deck after it's been built.

Metal panels

Framing your porch roof with pine beams and adding aluminum sheets as roofing can be an attractive way to shield your porch from the elements without spending too much on supplies or labor. You'll have a variety of colors and textures from which to choose, making it easy to match or coordinate with your home's roof, whether you have asphalt shingles, cedar shake shingles, or aluminum panels. You'll also be able to feel closer to the outdoors (without actually being rained on) by enjoying the sound of precipitation on a metal roof. 

To reduce your costs even further, you can opt for recycled aluminum panels instead of new ones. These panels are just as durable as new ones but are often less expensive and help keep old aluminum out of landfills. For information on metal roofing options, check out websites like http://www.premiumpanels.com.

Recycled rubber shingles

Another durable and inexpensive roofing option is recycled rubber roofing shingles. These are made by shredding or melting other rubber and crude-oil–based products (like used tires, rubber seals, and even asphalt shingles), mixing them with a sealant, and then pouring the resulting mixture into molds.

These shingles can be designed in a variety of shapes and colors, allowing you to choose small, square shingles or larger printed sheets. They can also be treated with a UV-resistant chemical during the manufacturing process that will help them repel the sun's rays, keeping your porch cool while minimizing sun damage to the shingles themselves. By choosing thin shingles, you'll minimize the weight of the roof and limit your use of heavy-duty support beams.

Like recycled aluminum panels, recycled rubber roofing tiles are an eco-friendly option when compared to other roofing materials. Not only do they keep rubber products out of landfills, but the manufacturing process uses much less energy than manufacturing new asphalt shingles or rubber panels.

Canvas screen

One of your least expensive options that can provide you with the flexibility to extend or retract your porch's roof at will is the use of a retractable canvas awning. This is a great option for smaller porches, as these awnings come in a variety of standard sizes that can make it easy to install it yourself. 

Durable canvas is also a good way to repel the elements, and you'll be able to choose from many colors and even shapes to find the best new look for your porch. You'll also be able to replace this canvas awning when it becomes frayed or damaged without needing to replace the mounting equipment or other crucial components, keeping your costs low over the long term.

Mounting your canvas awning should be relatively easy to accomplish if you have a ladder and a few power tools (like a drill and corded screwdriver). You'll need to remove a small section of siding for each bracket, then mount the metal bracket directly to a wooden board drilled into your outer walls for support. Once your brackets have been secured to the wall, you'll be able to attach the canvas awning and crank the shaft to extend or retract it.