Hello, Can someone offer some solutions to a racking issue. I am trying to get a permit for a simple screened-in porch here in northern AL. It is going to be 12X20 with a shingled roof and screened over studs on 24″ centers. I will be building up from an existing deck. Very simple and basic. It is just like 100s already existing in this area. The roof would be attached to the back of the house. The inspector tells me the codes have changed and that I need to have 24″ solid corners with a header, preferably LVL. I can’t tell if this fella just doesn’t understand what I want to do or if he is right. My primary problem is aesthetics. It would look silly to have a 12′ screen wall with a solid 24″ wall at the end. The only sensible solution I have is to call one of the metal awning companies to see if they will do the frame work. Any helps appreciated.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The "She Build" initiative is empowering women in Seattle, WA by ensuring they have safe, healthy homes.
Featured Video
SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than BeforeHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
The inspector tells me the codes have changed and that I need to have 24" solid corners with a header, preferably LVL. I can't tell if this fella just doesn't understand what I want to do
Could be there's "a failure to communicate" going on.
I'm surprised the BI had no complaints about foundations, if non-racking roof structure is the issue above the existing deck.
But, maybe bb can weigh in with some 'Bama experience.
Maybe the lack of foundation is the reason. Basically he wants me to build the corners following the same codes that are now standard for garages. Is anyone else running into this kind of issue?
rock.... i think your BI is correct, but you can engineer a solution
we had a wind-uplift problem with our last screened porch (12' x 12' )
we tied our 4x4's all the way thru from the footings to the top of the plate.. (rebar and galv. bolts to the postbase tiedowns )
we made our plates from PT 4x12 and used simpson corners to tie the plates to each other
the 4x12 box formed by the wall plates was tied to the wall of the house with the proper connections
the ceiling joists were diagonally braced ( X-braced ) so the ceiling plane & 4x12 box could not rack
the rafters were tied to the 4x12 plate with simpson h2.5's
so we solved our uplift and racking problems and satisfied the BI
our verticals were 4x4 @ 4' OC... and the screen system was Screen-tite
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks, Mike. I'm not familiar with the Simpson ties for connecting the posts to the top plates. My BI is concerned with that area as it could shift, rack and allow the roof to fly away.
Is anyone else running into this kind of issue?
Dunno, I haven't had to get any porches past the local P&D folks in a while. Makes for an interesting question, though.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
You're lucky. When we built our sunroom we had to have 4 feet of wall on each corner (for a total of 8 feet wrapping around the wall). In an 11' wall that gave us exactly 3' of window for our "sunroom".