With a week to mull this over and with a couple of Houzz updates received in that time (amazing site for great ideas) we've decided we really don't need a big flyover roof. We have a big enough outdoor area under a roof, and really just want to protect our french doors in very heavy rain, and want some shade to replace the shade sails we've had before and keep morning sun off the glass.
So... thank you Houzz, this is what we are now thinking of doing. Much less "heavy" and the inside rooms will be lighter than if we do a flyover roof, plus cheap and hubby can do this job easily.
If we do something very lightweight like this with one post to form the other corner with thin, light strips like the photo (just the roof, not the sides), our grapes can grow over the top and we could add a narrow length of clear roof sheeting above the door/window section to enable us to leave everything open in blowy rain.
This was the inspiration photo -
This is where we want to put this structure -
WE have good sized BBQ behind where I'm standing that is under cover, so this structure is really to provide shade. We will tile over these stained pavers and replace the gutters.
My question now is for such a light weight structure, would we need approval at all? Is there a certain size we can go to without approval. If so, that is the size we will build.