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.
Patio attached to roof using 4x6 joist.
Use the span tables below to determine allowable lengths of joists and rafters based on size and standard design loads.
This post may contain affiliate links.
Make a cutting on one of the sides of the horizontal roof beam on an angle.
Free standing patio cover plans.
Patio roof maximum beam rafter spans.
Recommended beam joist spans for deck framing.
If attaching a patio roof to a ledger beneath the eaves does not allow for enough headroom you can set the new patio roof s rafters on the wall s top plate.
For more information see our disclosures here.
You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths.
Attach the horizontal beam by using a nail gun.
When the 4x6 beam is in place and supported by the 4x6 posts the existing roof does not carry any of the weight of the new patio cover roof.
The bigger you make your deck the more you ask of the framing timbers that hold up the deck s structure and the joists and beams that support the.
This new patio cover roof plan replaces the ledger board that you might attach to existing fascia with a 4x6 beam supported by 4x6 posts.
On a two story house you can usually tie the ledger into a band joist also called a rim joist located between the floors as shown below.
In this situation i would use double 2x joist hangers at each end of the joists.
I would keep the tops of each joist flush.
While your beam size ultimately depends on design factors such as whether you include a covered roof structure or open lattice strips a familiarity with conventional beam spans gives you an idea of how far apart you can space your posts.
You have to do it thoroughly so that the rafters sit flush on it.
Use construction adhesive and nail as you would any normal double joist or header etc.
The smallest beams for patio covers are typically 4 by 6.