building a Post and beam Carport

[porkchopexpress]

Hello everyone. I recently joined this forum for advice on a carport project.

I am building a post and beam carport that will be 12'X24' with 6x6 vertical posts. A contractor is going to pour a 14'X26' pad and set the posts next week. The 6 posts will be spaced 12' apart. They will start out as 6"x6"x12' and set 2' in the ground. I want the bottom of the carport 8' tall. The roof will be gabled with minimal cross beams to keep an open feel when I use it as a picnic area. My questions are as follows:

1. What would be a good technique to attach the trusses and rafters to the vertical posts? Any links to some pictures?

2. Should I cut the posts before they are set or after in case they settle? If after, is it difficult to cut a vertical 6x6 with a circular saw while balanced on a ladder?

3. Should I add diagonal supports if the posts are set 2' deep?

4. Does anyone have experience with vinyl or polycarb roofing? How does it compare to metal roofing as far as cost and longevity?

Thanks for any input. You will be repaid in good karma.

 

[olytdi]

You can through-bolt the trusses and rafters to the uprights. Some also attach a veritcal plate to the post on which the trusses/rafters sit.

I have a carport attached to my shop (roughly 12x28). I have the corrugated poly carb roofing material on it mainy becuase I wanted as much light as possible to come through. However, this resides under a giant Big-leaf Maple and it ends-up with 2 ft of leaves on it in the fall.

I like that the poly carb is UV stable but it's pretty pricey. I had to fix a perfed piece a couple of years ago and it cost like $60 or $80 for one sheet.

 

[Thruxton]

First, great idea! But I would set those posts deeper, around 3'. After that, I would not worry about settling at all (I'm assuming a concrete pad at the bottom of the hole, PT posts, concrete added to the hole after the posts are trued vertically). If you do it that way you can cut the posts whenever you want, they won't settle enough to matter. I did a 12 X 24 this way and it worked fine. That was 4-5 years ago.

 

[wintermute]

The posts on my carport (since turned into a garage) are just attached to steel anchors that are set into the footers. No worries about topping posts that are cemented in place that way.

 

[camarotoolman]

Just make sure your ladder is stable when you climb to cut your posts. Cut in from 4 sides and finish them off with a hand saw, just be careful! I would run 2x8s around the top of the posts vertical, and then horzonal to from a strong back corner. Then cut and set your rafters or trusses on top. I would use the same roofing as your house and other buildings, have it all matching.

 

[porkchopexpress]

I like the idea of running 2x8's along the sides and top. Sounds strong and simple. I guess I should mention, this carport is going to **** against a small barn that is falling down. My long term plan is to use the carport to brace the barn so that I can true it up and keep it from falling down. If it starts getting too expensive, I can always quit and I'll still have a nice carport.

Here is a link to a forum where I was still contemplating how to fix the barn and where I was directed to this website, (has pictures of the barn).

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=778762

 

[markmorris09]

I want to put an attached garage on my house but for various reasons
I'd like to do the floor in a few years, not now.

Is there anything wrong with building a carport using post and beam
construction with the posts resting and secured on individual
footings? Then top with beams and roof trusses and a finished roof
attached to the house.

In a few years I would pour the floor and then put up non-load bearing
walls to enclose the garage.

I'm thinking that as long as the footings are below frost line that
there will not be relative movement between the house and carport so
attaching the carport roof to the house will not be a problem.

 

[wintermute]

I want to put an attached garage on my house but for various reasons
I'd like to do the floor in a few years, not now.

Is there anything wrong with building a carport using post and beam
construction with the posts resting and secured on individual
footings? Then top with beams and roof trusses and a finished roof
attached to the house.

In a few years I would pour the floor and then put up non-load bearing
walls to enclose the garage.

I'm thinking that as long as the footings are below frost line that
there will not be relative movement between the house and carport so
attaching the carport roof to the house will not be a problem.

That's effectively what I started with in my conversion. (link in signature) I had footings that ran the length of the walls, attached to the house foundation with 6 posts attached to them. The floor was a separate pour.

 

[BlackdogJunkyard]

I PM'd you. I can draw you plans. I've been timberframing for 7 years.

 

[700hpAMG]

Curious if anyone has a good site for plans? I am looking at building myself a decent wood 10/12x20' covered patio. Currently dirt in that part of the backyard.

Thanks,