Awning, canopy, carport, whatever...

[MotorT]

I'm wanting to put up a awning/or carport deal in the front of my shop. I want to go with a flat metal roof and as few support posts as possible. Needs to be the length of the shop (80') and come out 20 to 25 feet from the front of the shop.
My question is, are there any metal kits available. I've been searching online for abit and not really finding anything other than the little carport kits with the peaked roofs.

 

[Stinger]

You'll want to list if you have a steel building, pole barn, etc. so people know what you're working with.

 

[WalkThru Guy]

Having been in the business for 21+ years, I would recommend that you contact a local sunroom dealer. As you will see by the picture below, a structure such as the one you are trying to build can be achieved by using the light weight structural roof panels used in that industry.

CraftBilt Manufacturing from the Philadelphia, PA area is a manufacturer of such product and we've been utilizing their products for 16+ years. They have dealers throughout the US and Canada so I suspect they have one near you. Perhaps a visit to www.craftbilt.com will help you locate such a dealer.

They manufacture 3", 4 1/2" and 6" panels in both an expanded polystyrene and honeycomb......the thicker the panel the greater it capacity. The panels are typically 3 ft wide and go up one at a time making this a relatively easy and very quick solution. The difference between the two types of panels pertains to their use in the sunroom industry......it will not be an issue in your case.


Being from Grass Valley, Ca snow loads will be important to take into consideration. As I am writing you from Canada, snow loads are something we deal with for each project and the CraftBilt products serve us well and that leads me to believe that you should be very pleased with the finished product.

I hope this helps you down the path to achieving your goal.

Kind Regards,

PS.....more pictures can be viewed at

http://www.gaudetsaluminum.com/shade_structures.html

 

[ddawg16]

Don't you love it when a member has direct knowlege....even though it 'almost' sounds like a sales pitch.....but walkthru answered the question.

Need to file this one away for future reference....

Walkthru....what do you think of those roll up awnings? The kind you see on the side of Motor homes?

 

[WalkThru Guy]

Hello again!

The ones on the sides of motor homes and other RV's serve a purpose as they need to be rolled up for travel so for that purpose, there is no better solution.

Now, I have a totally different opinion of the similar type roll out awnings that are mounted on homes and cottages. I have difficulty with their costs as it relates to their use. They are a shade structure and a fair weather umbrella at best. So when putting the cost in relationship to a use/hour basis, it is money poorly spent as these structures remain rolled up when no in use providing zero benefit to its owner. On the other hand, a permanent structure is providing service 24/7......good and bad weather..... be it to protect from the damaging sun, keep rain/snow of the BBQ or simply giving the family pet an area to retreat. I will always recommend spending money on a permanent structure over a retractable. In my 21 years of doing our thing, I have yet to come across a use where it would be advisable to go with retractable.

I hope this helps.

Germain