Continuous posts from the roof to the footing transfers the roof load to the ground rather than the deck this only makes sense and then the deck itself should be supported on a beam by separate posts.
Post and beam roof support.
Large 8 x 8 posts are necessary for the use of supporting a porch roof.
An essential part of planning a patio roof or gazebo project is determining the number size and spacing of rafters beams and posts according to the loads they will carry.
While many like to use the smaller 4 x 4 posts they can tend to warp after they have been standing under the weight for several seasons.
If one side of the roof is supported by the house and the other side is supported by the beam divide the total load by two as the beam is only supporting half of the roof.
The beams support the roof rafters or joists which in turn hold the roofing material.
Typically 2x12 spruce rafters 2 o c.
And cdx fir plywood.
The main structural members of patio and deck overheads are posts or columns and beams which run from post to post or from post to ledger.
Use the span tables below to determine allowable lengths of joists and rafters based on size and standard design loads.
Measure the distance between the bottom of the porch roof and the top of the ledger beams of the porch.
Exposed ridge beam collar ties or purlins for cathedral areas as required and 6x8 douglas fir plate beams.
Maximum rafter spans for a patio roof in areas with mild climates patio roofs are generally designed for loads of 30 psf pounds per square foot.
You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths.
Divide the total load according to how many supporting beams the roof will have.
Minimum sizes of posts and beams are set by engineering requirements and are strictly governed by local building codes.
This is an economical roof system with beautiful exposed support beams.
The smallest beams for patio covers are typically 4 by 6.
Join the support beam and wood load bearing post by toenailing them together and attaching two metal t braces to opposite sides of the beam with galvanized 10d box nails.
Pacific post beam was founded in 1983 in sandpoint idaho as a custom builder of timber frame homes we relocated to san luis obispo in 1986.
If there is also a beam in the middle of the roof divide the total load by three.