help needed with covered walkway design

[ticklechicken]

I want to build a covered walkway between my house and my detached shop. The distance is only 10 feet. I'll also install a cement path which I know how to do, but I'm completely lost on how to build the cover.

When I try Google and YouTube, I can only find long walkways with support posts running to the ground. I'm assuming I can span 10 feet with only attachments at each building. I can't find any help with that design.

I don't have any idea where to start. What materials? Metal? Wood with shingles? How do I attach to each building? At the walls or at the soffit?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Talk to your insurance company first. It may have a significant impact on your insurance.

That’s going to be a pretty involved project for such a simple function. Probably going to involve roof penetrations on the house at least. My thought is to use poles. Free span requires heavier lumber which makes attachment at the ends more involved.

 

[tarmy]

You need to think about a lot of force trying to LIFT that surface. I lived in FL a few years...and worked at an engineering company. We designed structures...and a covering like that is going to experience a hell of a lot of energy trying to shear it, lift it and twist it. The existing structures have little or no eves for a reason...

I am thinking a separate structure on posts properly anchored and designed for the appropriate wind/lift load.

That also requires you to think about drainage between the structures, underground utilities, if any, and proper connecting hardware.

 

[TheOtherChris]

Talk to your insurance company first. It may have a significant impact on your insurance.

^^THIS^^

Currently you have a detached shop/garage. The covered breezeway will connect the two and may result in a change in liability.

 

[Jinks]

Between the two doors, or the entire length of the shop?

 

[sjvicker]

With how little space you have between the door and the eve on the left you're going to fight connecting buildings with ledger boards. In my experience working in the patio cover industry we would design this one with 4 or 6 posts and a gable roof over the existing roofs. The goal is to get close enough that it looks attached yet be a freestanding structure.

Most areas around me allow 120sqft or 200sqft accessory structures without a permit but connect one bit of that to a house and you need engineering plans and a permit.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[4xdog]

Do you strictly need to attach it? Would a freestanding canopy covering virtually all of the open space work?

That might be easier to engineer and insure -- but as others have said, this is a minefield of codes and insurance, so best to check before starting anything.

 

[infinkc]

I would look at having an aluminum patio cover installed under both the eves. It would be freestanding and engineered for the weather. I wouldn’t attach the 2 structures together.

 

[southalabama]

Small things aren’t simple.

Once you figure out how to attach better plan on where the water is going to.

 

[ticklechicken]

Well, that was unanimous. Freestanding it is. Thanks everyone.

When I pour the walkway between buildings, I'll include supports for some posts. The structure will be about 4' x 11', so not big enough to worry about permits.

Aluminum would be easiest for initial construction and maintenance, but I think a timber frame would look cool here. I've never tried that before, and I like the challenge. Cypress is cheap around here and holds up well, so I'll probably try that.

 

[southalabama]

Go treated on posts and box it in cypress. Dad did the lakehouse that way.

 

[ticklechicken]

Go treated on posts and box it in cypress. Dad did the lakehouse that way.

Good idea.

 

[pmiranda]

Yep, freestanding so you don't have to compromise the structure/watertightness of either building. 4 posts, a couple 2x6 to span them, and half a dozen 2x4 trusses to hold up a tin roof, or decking + shingles if you want to match the house. I wouldn't attach it to either building in any way, but I would use at least 3 plastic or rubber "deck spacers" on each end to keep the top from rubbing in high winds. Use hurricane ties to hold everything together. They're pretty cheap.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was going to suggest free standing as well but I'm a little late to the party. However, I'll toss out this idea.


Is you garage one of those metal frame pre-fab garages ? How about contacting the company and see if the can design a covered walkway. They would need some pictures and measurements. Shoot them an email with a description of what you want or drawing.

I'd have it built with the side walk as part of the substructure to hold it down since you are in Florida.

 

[pmiranda]

I'd have it built with the side walk as part of the substructure to hold it down since you are in Florida.

Fine point... since you're doing a concrete walkway anyway, it'd be easy to put 4x4 post anchors in it, then you don't have to dig post holes and have the posts rot out down the road.

 

[Marctrees]

1/8" or bit smaller Wire rope, eyescrews, turnbuckles, custom sewn nylon "canvas" , done.

Like a basic open floating pup tent "shade sail"

Washed rock walkway.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Actually, an awning company can sew you one needing way less hardware than I just said.

Show them the photo for advice.

Marc

 

[rsanter]

4 posts
Metal frame
Tin roof
Free standing
Easy,done