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Built in trellis sunscreen

| Posted in Construction Techniques on December 9, 2003 01:41am

Can anybody help with with alternative ideas to install a trellis/sunscreen? On the houseplans the architect has the sunscreen penetrating the vinyl siding and married to the floor/ceiling joist. The trellis cantilevers out from the house approximately 3’6″. It is constructed of 2X12 joist and 2X3 on top of the joist on edge to provide shade for the southern exposure.  The South side of the house will receive lots of weather (rain). I don’t like the idea of penetrating the siding. I don’t want to use any posts for support because it is on the second floor and will also interfere with the view.  Any ideas / suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Woodie

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Replies

  1. User avater
    GoldenWreckedAngle | Dec 09, 2003 02:20am | #1

    There is no way to attach anything to the house without penetrating the siding. The cantilever is going to be one of the cleanest ways to do this. It does sound like 2x12's might be a little overkill but the width may be there for visual reasons as much as structural. No way to know without seeing a set of plans.

    It sounds to me like your architect already has a pretty good plan. He should provide details for the penetration that will insure a good seal. Just make sure his instructions are followed and you probably won't have a problem.

    Good luck.

    Kevin Halliburton

    "I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity."  - I.M. Pei -

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Dec 09, 2003 03:02am | #2

    Without the trellis being freestanding (no posts near the house to support that end) you have two good options: penetrate the siding at each joist as spec'd by the archy, which shouldn't be a problem as long as each pentration is detailed correctly, or run a ledger the length of the trellis and tie each joist into that.  The ledger should be mounted and flashed to the sheathing.  Either way will penetrate the siding to be done correctly.  Personally, I think the individual pentetration plan would look much cleaner and more professional and less like something tacked on after the fact.

    As an aside, next spring I have to repair something very similar for a client, a trellis over the front door constructed of 2x10 doug fir where each joist penetrates the shingle siding.  The ends of several of the joists have rotted.  The penetrations through the siding are still sound.  (Gonna have to rip them up to replace the joists, though.)

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Dec 09, 2003 08:23pm | #4

      The ledger won't work. At least not without something else. You need somethig to spport the far ends of the joist.

      Either knee braces or tension cables/rods, or something like that, that go up to the sidewall above.

      1. User avater
        GoldenWreckedAngle | Dec 09, 2003 10:08pm | #5

        "Either knee braces or tension cables/rods, or something like that, that go up to the sidewall above."

        ... and make more holes in the siding. :-)>

        I did think of one sunscreen that might work well here. It meets all the requirements and leaves no holes in the siding...

        ... DrapesKevin Halliburton

        "I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity."  - I.M. Pei -

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Dec 09, 2003 10:50pm | #6

          Yes, they make holes, but small controlled ones. Lot leasier to flash than counterlevelered joist and a lot easier to repair in the future.

          1. User avater
            GoldenWreckedAngle | Dec 09, 2003 11:08pm | #7

            True - and I wasn't taking a dig at your suggestion.

            The initial poster said, "I don't like the idea of penetrating the siding."

            I was simply pointing out that you were still breaking the rules. :-)>Kevin Halliburton

            "I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity."  - I.M. Pei -

      2. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Dec 10, 2003 05:16am | #8

        I guess I assumed there were posts at the far end.  Though rereading the original post, it doesn't appear to be so, in which case, you're right, the ledger idea is out.  Diagonal braces would work, though IMHO would look clunky.  But the options are very limited for the design constraints.

        I never met a tool I didn't like!

  3. ANDYSZ2 | Dec 09, 2003 12:41pm | #3

    Plant some trees and enjoy.

    Let's see no post no attachment to house all that is left is a lighter than air scenario.

    I suggest a helium filled arbor shaped balloon.

    ANDYSZ2

    I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.

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