Needing some advice building a lean-to.

[MarkV]

Chuck I think you have the right idea for your shed. There have been a lot of valid comments and suggestions but I don’t think everyone understands what a light weight roof structure this is going to be. If you were building a two story structure or one that had a wider span then some of the sizing suggestions would be right on.

One thing I would consider would be to add some diagonal bracing on your back and side corners. Even post set in concrete can have some movement when nine foot out of the ground. The triangle formed by braces at the corners will stiffen the whole structure significantly.

MarkV

 

[EddieWalker]

Chuck,

Mark makes a very valid point about bracing the corners. In fact, I'll go one step farther and suggest you brace the tops of every post with diagnal supports.

I have a better feel of what you want to build with your latest diagram and the type of roof that you are after. Using existing wood is also a good motivator for sizing your building!!!

Using 2x6's to span 12 feet for the roof isn't that big a deal. I'd put them on 2 foot centers if it was me. One item of concern is going to be the pitch of your roof and the length of the 2x6's. You can easily install the 2x6 rafters with joist hangers in between your headers. That will cut down the distance 6 inches or so. It will be close, but with a shallow pitch, you should be ok.

With a shallow pitch and a weak roof, metal is your only option for roofing material. Since that is already your plan, that works out good. If you go with 2x6's on 2ft centers, you can use 1x4's for purlins, which will save you some weight.

Use screws to attach your metal. Nails will always leak.

Eddie

 

[Chuck K.]

Well its been months but just realized I never posted any finished pics.. Well if I did I dont remember











Anyhow., Many thanks to all that help me with fantastic advice.....

BTW it made through 8hrs of hurricane IKE without any damage and the guys who skinned it left the bottom row of screws out and I had not yet put the diaganol braces in!
Chuck.

 

[MacLawn]

Great job there, Chuck. When you said "lean to" in the topic, I thought you meant something that was actually attached to another building, not a free-standing building. Anyway, looks great. If the water I see is a pond... I couldn't get any work done for wanting to fish!

 

[yooperdave]

I have some initial questions/observations based on my former life as a structural engineer. Now I work at a Nuclear Power Plant and have other things to focus on.

If you are building in Texas, you will most likely not have significant snow loading or a deep frost depth (if any depending on where in Texas you are).

The big thing I would address is wind loading. This includes, but is not limited to uplift and lateral transfer of wind loads. This type of structure needs to be well anchored. Piers should be anchored to the columns with Simpson post bases or similar.

If you are using pressure treated lumber, you may want to use galvanized or better hardware.

I would try to space the columns as far apart as possible as equipment will tend to be attracted to the columns and might cause damage.

Good Luck

Yooper Dave