This is an awning I built. It is a replica of another awning on the other side of the house. I’d like some feedback from the pro’s who have an eye for this sort of thing. Does it look like it’s strucutrally sound or does it have flaws in design and execution that are alarming?
Some info: It is made of rough redwood, construction clear. The actual thickness is 1 7/8. The ledger for the rafters is 1 X fir nailed into studs. Then I used redwood as pressure blocks to secure the tops of the rafters. Each rafter got 3 16’s nailed into its adjacent pressure block. I also nailed the other way at an angle through the rafter into the opposite pressure block. At the birdsmouth, I nailed the rafter with 3 16’s into the 4 X 4 plate that is positioned on the top ledge of the corbels.
The bottoms of the corbels are butted into a 4 X 4 that runs from plate to plate. I toe nailed the base of the corbel to the vertical 4 X 4 with four 16’s and then lag bolted from behind, two 7 inch lag bolts in each corbel.
On the roof, I used 5/8 thick redwood tongue and groove starter boards. I sheathed with 5/8 CDX and nailed it with 10 penny’s at 6 inch intervals on the outside rafters, 8 inch intervals on the inside rafters.
Am I okay on this, or are there things here that could be a problem? Specifically, I’m now worried about using 1 X material for the ledger. Should it have been 2 X? (I used the thinner material because it won’t stand proud of the stucco.) And I’m worried that the corbels don’t have a lot of meat where they carry the load of the roof. Any advice and insight will be much appreciated.
Replies
It looks great.
Structurally it would have been better to shift the beam back more onto the brace. Keep your eyes on it and watch for splitting. It probably will give you some warning signs.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I agree it looks great. If you wanted to make it bulletproof, I would suggest 4X4 treated next time for the ledger part. Bevel the top and cut dados into it for your rafters. Screw it into the gable studs. I would countersink the screws.
Having said that, as small as the roof is, and considering it is made out of very light material, it will probably hold for many years, unless you used balsa wood to connect to the wall. :)