Homeowner here. I’m designing a porch to replace the one that’s rotting away on my 157-year-old house. I’m hiring pros to do the actual building. I want it to duplicate the original. Deck area measures 15’x11′. See the attachment.
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Here’s the thing. I want to maintain the structure of the roof. That means 6×6†beams running over the porch columns and into the ledger. Mitered where they meet at the corner. Atop these beams are a small gable roof and flat roof (inclined to drain)
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I tried to look this up in the IRC but it is silent on porches. I am worried about the span and the weight. (I live in a region with a snow-load factor of 50.)
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Also, there’s got to be a better way than just toenailing the two ornamental columns bearing this weight into the porch floor. (They are positioned on the deck over Sonotubes, concrete and 6X6†posts holding up the deck.)
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Also, I want a wood for the columns that will last, and all I can think of is cedar and that is not likely to be sufficiently load-bearing.
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Any and all advice welcomed. Thanks.
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Frank Spencer
Edited 6/19/2007 3:03 pm ET by DabblerBabbler
Replies
What do you find wrong with toenailing the posts in? There are other ways but I don't see how they are "better" ways. You can use structural screws and bondo over the countersink hole
The cedar should do you just fine. Clear doug fir is stronger but does not paint as well and while it is fairly rot resistant, it does not compare to red cedar. It also does not turn as well on the lathe.
Thje one thing I can see that needs improvement is that your dormer and the valley from it is dumping water on the stairs. By moving the stairs over to under the dormer, there is a practical utilitarian reason for it to be. I would be surprised if it were not located that way originally.
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Toenailing just doesn't seem like a strong way to fasten. (Isn't that why Simpson strong ties were invented?) Thanks for the word on cedar. Too true, the roof is whacked. But putting steps under gable would mean moving front door to match.
Strength is what you need vertical. Rare that much force will ever apply horiontaal against the toenails and they can handle it if carefully placed.
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