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Installing a Floating Roof from Trees. Possible? Input Needed..

MillerMav

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I live in a massive PIMA home owners assoc. Because of that there are a million rules in regards to out buildings. When I researching putting up a "shed" to get it approved it ended up being a $30k 1 car garage just to get assoc members to consider it.

Well I don't have that kind of money......

What I do have is a bunch of brick from CL that I put down last night as a pad for my mower and snow blower. These two items have been parked on dirt for over a year and hasn't affected performance in any way so I figure the pad is a huge upgrade for simple piece of mind.

That being said; this location is not seen by any HOA member and is camouflaged well by my wood pile (that never gets used!). What I would like to do is float a nice roof from the surrounding trees since they are fairly symmetrical and I have 3 that are sturdy enough to tie into. From that also do some sort of back/side wall to keep the weather at bay somewhat.

I spent some time last night researching hanging stuff from trees but it was all for tree houses. I am not going to walk on this thing so it only has to support the weight of itself and minimal snow since it has the tree canopy to keep that volume down.

I am thinking some sort of triangulation off of the trees with cable and then tying the roof onto the tree with straps that I would adjust yearly to allow for tree growth. I am trying to do this with minimal to no damage to tree. The only reason I want to use them is if I tie them into the tree and not onto the ground there is no HOA regulation in regards to "tree houses" or "hanging" things from trees.

Here is a pic of the area from this afternoon.

IMG_3669_zpsd4057abd.jpg


1. I know the ground isn't level; but its level enough and my only intention is to use it as a parking pad for the mower and blower (to keep them off the dirt and keep the weeds at bay)
2. I only want the roof to be as high as it needs to be; probably 6' from the bottom to the brick at most.
3. Dimensions of the roof are going to be around 10'x10' (just to round it off)

Like I said I am thinking stainless lags into the tree's up high with cable going to the roof. Then tying the roof into the tree somehow to keep it from swaying (but still allow the trees to move of course).

Any input would be greatly appreciated as long as its constructive.
 
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WQ59B

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

Are those the 3 trees? Are you talking about building some sort of framed/sheathed roof system?

I don't think I would put anything of any weight (say over 250 lbs) overhead/over stuff, suspended by cables. Have you considered those stretched canopies at all- see a lot lighter, cheaper, more accommodating to weather/wind.

http://shadecanopy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Deck-Shade-Canopy-Design-Ideas-For-Patio.jpg
 
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MillerMav

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I spent quite a bit of time looking at a canopy/tarp type setup but my problem comes from not having a fourth post to tie into and needing that fourth leg coverage.
I figure some sort of "solid" roof will allow me to hold multiple corners of the roof off of one tree.
 

tomd

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

Would they accept one of those free standing plastic greenhouses from home centers? They are quite large, and since they are for 'green' purposes maybe they will allow it.
 
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MillerMav

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Would they accept one of those free standing plastic greenhouses from home centers? They are quite large, and since they are for 'green' purposes maybe they will allow it.

No; it's a small HOA of only 9 houses all of whom have lived together since building around 01-04. We moved in 3 years ago and have found while everyone is nice and respectful they are ******** about the outbuilding thing. I am in pretty much full on McGuyver mode over here! Haha!
 

crazytrain

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

Will the HOA allow you to build a roof over your wood pile like this.


If so build the roof and get some more wood to close in all 4 sides leaving the center empty. Frame out a door way and build doors then cut some pieces and glue them to the doors to camo them. something like this.



 

atfulldraw

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

What do they say about fences?

I'd put up a couple of sections of nice cedar fence in front of the pad with a gate.

then add another one on the side

and then another one on the other side.

and then drop a light metal roof that sits inside of the front fence and is supported by the other two sides.......
 

DekeT

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

Moving is the best option.
 

bczygan

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

How about a big tarp on the wood pile?

Then build a structure with the real roof under it.

Keep the tarp above uneven by putting some random pieces of wood under it and on it.

Camouflage!
 
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bczygan

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

For a 4th post, set a post in the ground, and then stack firewood all around it to hide it. It will look like you just have a roof sitting on a stack of wood.

Another solution is to park an enclosed trailer there and store things in it.

Fences and walls and evergreen plantings also hide things.

How about an RV with an awning to cover things. And a tarp or cover, like you have, for extra protection.

How about an awning off the back of your garage or house?

Do you have an area of grade change like a little hill where you could excavate into the hill and go underground?
 
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LXCam

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

That wood pile shed is classic!. That'll go in the ole memory bank fur sur :). Is that your doing?, if so I got to hand to ya bud!.

Op, sounds like a enclosed trailer would be a great idea, plus it could double as a shop if you went large enough. GL
 
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bczygan

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

A note or two on the floating roof.

You only need 3 trees for a square roof. The 4th corner may cantilever if the roof deck is designed right, It needs members that have enough depth for the span of the cantilever. The mass of the roof deck will counterbalance the cantilevered part, so no fastening to anything else is needed.

As far as attachment to the trees goes. You need to make that a slip joint so the trees can move independent of the roof. Install cleats on each side of each tree. Then build your roof structure with beams that go on each side of the tree, and rest on the cleats, but slide on them. Each double beam is connected together so it straddles the tree trunk on both sides.

The only connections to the trees is through the cleats.

Another way to support the 4th corner is by a cable secured diagonally to a point much higher up in the center tree. The same thing can be done with a sloped rafter that is part of a triangle formed by a horizontal joist, and the tree itself.

Try to keep the structure as light as possible. Use 2x4 construction for the rafters and space them 2' o.c. Use 3/8 exterior plywood decking, and to avoid the weight of roofing, just caulk and paint it.

To deal with the weight of a snow load, think of creating a structure with some slope, like a regular roof, so snow just sheds off the sides.

This has the additional advantage of triangulating your structure and making it stronger and more rigid. Depending on the spans involved, you might be able to use 2x3's for the rafters and 2x4's for the beams. Use screws and glue for a stronger structure.

What are the dimensions of the area you want to cover and the locations and sizes of the trees?
 
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justanengineer

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

Moving is the best option.

+1. Dont waste money just to have more issues down the road.

My siblings and I had several tree houses, lean-tos, and other structures supported off multiple trees when I was a kid. The problem is that trees grow at different rates and never straight, so eventually the structure will rip itself apart.
 

kbs2244

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

I don’t think you are going to do it with any kind of “stiff” roof.
The flexibility of a “tarp” type will allow for the trees to flex in the wind.
 

ZRX1040

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

I'd pile wood up on 3 sides, put a few landscape timbers across the top and throw a heavy duty brown tarp over it with a few chunks of wood to hold it down. Nothing says you cant store your snowblower IN the woodpile.

BTW I've had the same WHite 10 hp snowblower for close to 20 yrs. That thing is bullit proof and would probably run on old kerosene. My daughter bought a house a couple months ago and I gave it to her.
 
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MillerMav

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......BTW I've had the same WHite 10 hp snowblower for close to 20 yrs. That thing is bullit proof and would probably run on old kerosene....

Good to hear! I got it used off of CL 3 years ago and it hasn't let me down yet. It needs some maintenance so I may try to get it in this fall. The guy I bought from hadn't started it in 2 years and wasn't sure about the gas. Two pulls and it started right up. It seems pretty stout especially for the low price I paid.
 

crazytrain

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Re: Installing a Floating Roof from Tree's. Possible? Input Needed..

That wood pile shed is classic!. That'll go in the ole memory bank fur sur :). Is that your doing?, if so I got to hand to ya bud!.

Op, sounds like a enclosed trailer would be a great idea, plus it could double as a shop if you went large enough. GL



Not my doing, just found on the net. But if I was in the same situation as the OP I would build one liked it.
 

Ray Kelly

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I would say to just cover them with a tarp and forget it. If you hang a tarp from the trees, a limb or branch could fall and punch a hole in it anyway. While you have them so close to the trees- you might think about chaining them to the trees. That way they won't come up missing in the morning. :)
 

Lippyp

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Does it say anything about pitching a tent in your garden? If not then pick up an old frame tent and just replace it every few years when it finally rots/rips. Proper canvas army surplus stuff lasts well especially if you re-waterproof it every couple of years.
 

rsanter

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Costco has the canvas shade covers foe reasonable price. That and some cable and turnbuckles and you are set

If you can get a trailer back there, how about you buy an enclosed trailer and use it as a shed

Bob
 
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