Neighbor wants to put up something to provide shade over his backyard patio slab, which faces west. See attached pic. The eave of the high roof is 10 ft. Idea is something that provides shade, probably wooden slats…no shingles, rain protection is not an issue. Here’s the thought: can I set two suitable posts in the grass, and rest the house end on the roof? I would lay down a heavy galvanized sheet under a couple of runners to allow for shifting without damaging the shingles. The problem with setting four (or more) posts is the odd shape of the patio area, coupled with the location of the windows and kitchen door (out of sight on the angled wall). Total size would be about 15 x 15 ft.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Edited 5/29/2003 4:29:36 PM ET by ELCID72
Replies
Ick. Is this serious? Looking at the picture, I'd put a post at each of the 2 outside corners of the patio. Put another post just off the corner of the house behind the hanging basket (left of the grill). Put 4th post in same relative position on near side of patio. Support beams running between the pairs on posts parallel to the house. Joists perpendidular to house, cantilevered to about 1' from house, equal distance cantilevered on yard side of outside beam. Maybe a bench/potting table in the 2' or so between the near-side post closest to the house and the house itself, to force traffic pattern out of that small gap between post and house.
What ya mean "Ick"? Neighbors wife is pushing for the shade thingy very heavily, so looks like it's gonna happen. I considered posts about like you described, and that's probably how it will go in. The problem with the post by the grill is that it has to clear the window, which puts it about 4 ft from the drip line. If I put it tight into the corner, it will only cover about 1 inch of the window, but then the opossing post can't be lined up because of the door. Was just looking outside the box a little...
Thinking about 6x6 post and 4x6 beams, then smaller stuff.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Edited 5/29/2003 7:36:06 PM ET by ELCID72
Sorry, the "Ick" was about resting on the roof, not the shelter itself.
The idea was that bad, huh?Do it right, or do it twice.
Elcid,
The idea isn't bad in general. On a typical roof with only one plane with the pergola type structure coming off of it, no problem but I assumed he meant "ick" because of the way the house comes in and out, and it wouldn't look right. As far as it goes, I like these structures to be as self-supported as possible, but also like to avoid posts so sometimes set them on roofs or attach through fascia (when possible) and save a post or two that way.
I think 6x6 posts are a minimum to look halfway decent. If you use 4x4's and box them in for columns, great.
Will you use footings?
Footings? Hah! The north side of San Antonio is the beginnings of the Hill Country, and also over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone...as such we have between 1 and 6 inches of soil, then lovely limestone. Cement and cruched limestone are two significant local products. We'll dig as deep as possible, hopefully get a foot into the ground. Frost depth here is about as deep as you can scratch with your boot.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Edited 5/30/2003 1:35:52 PM ET by ELCID72
I have faced similar considerations for a west-facing patio. If I recall correctly, you're in San Antonio, right? My only observation is that I personally would hate to invest time and money in an exposed wood structure that the sun's going to destroy in a matter of 5-10 years. I'm in Austin and from what I've seen, no matter what kind of wood, and no matter what you treat it with, the UV is going to get it sooner or later. Sure, it'll still be standing, but will quickly become an eyesore so that you'll plant wisteria nearby and pray that makes it disappear.
For that reason I'd steer them towards either shingling the thing as a shed roof extension, or go for an aluminum or galv. frame awning with a UV resistant fabric. The metal frame idea may also eliminate some of the space constraints for the third & fourth posts.
just my 2c
Right, San Antonio, home of the world champion Spurs (they beat the mavs tonight). Yes, the sun here does a great job of aging wood. metal framework won't fly, but shingles might, in which case we would probably do a proper job and tie it in with the existing roof. More money. I will probably get flak for this but...he's a really good neighbor, and the plan is that he buys the materials, feeds us lunch and plenty of cold drinks, and another neighbor and I volunteer our time and the three of us knock it out over a weekend. We did just that last year and builkt three storage sheds.Do it right, or do it twice.
I've been looking for neighbors like you around here... haven't found any yet. <g>
Cutting into the roof may stretch the limits of such an informal arrangement, I don't know... it's not something that can be done at low priority once it's started.
go Spurs