We are getting a metal roof put on our old house. This means that the snow will slide off and land onto our air source heat pump. We need to construct a small roof to protect it. We were thinking of extending the 2 x 6 roof rafters another 4 feet and then having 2 x6 or 4 x 4's going back to the house exterior wall. Kind of a triangle. I would like some advice on this.

You should investigate those little dookickeys that are placed into the roof itself near the edge of the roof to keep the snow "dammed" up on the roof or invest in some gutters. If you are having the roof done professionally, the roofer will know what the dookickies are called. They are about 4" long.

Sounds like that will work, but whatever you do make it stout and lag bolt it all around, as snow can weigh tons and will rip off something that is not heavy duty.


Good luck

Roger

I think what twinkie is referring to is a snow fence which could work. If you go that way, home repair is also correct, they need to be properly secured so they do not get ripped off the roof. Your idea could work too, but why not just build a freestanding roof over it rather than extend your roof.

Well, not tons, but maybe on the order of 15 lbs/cuf for snow..

Yes not tons, but it's not just the weight, it is also the force of sliding snow on metal roofs that can rip a snow fence off.