Patio cover

[kerwinq]

I am going to install a patio cover by adding hangers to the overhang in the house and running 2x6 boards to the edge. The question is how many upright supports should I use (they will be 4x4 posts) with a 4x6 header on top. The cover will be about 16 x 24. Not sure if I will be using shingles or the metal roofing though I am leaning toward the metal because of the cost and the weight will be considerably less.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks, Kerwin

 

[m.james]

I'm not sure but I will tell you to account for more weight if you wife ever decides grow a vine up it this happened to my neighbors awning.

 

[drmarkr]

I am going to install a patio cover by adding hangers to the overhang in the house and running 2x6 boards to the edge. The question is how many upright supports should I use (they will be 4x4 posts) with a 4x6 header on top. The cover will be about 16 x 24. Not sure if I will be using shingles or the metal roofing though I am leaning toward the metal because of the cost and the weight will be considerably less.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks, Kerwin

Check the engineering specs for those spans. Off the top of my head, a 2x6 ain't going to cut it. I'm assuming you're 16 is the depth and 24 is width?

 

[kerwinq]

this is correct
16 is the depth and 24 is width

 

[Ray-CA]

In our town, the basic rule of thumb is 1-inch of lumber per foot of span (4x6 spans 6-feet between posts.) I did spec a patio cover using a glu-lam 4x6 and could have spanned 10-feet with that, but I never could find a 4x6 glu-lam anywhere reasonably close enough to go get. I would check with an engineer but it's going to depend on how far you plan on spanning, the size of the beam you wish to use and even the species of wood you plan on using.

Ray

 

[TONE]

You might need to also check your local building codes. Many times certain pitches are needed to have shingled roofs. The rating on metal is a bit higher so a lower pitch can be used.

As for the size of the lumber, sounds like for the size youre building its a bit small. I would check on that also.

I built a pergola that is around the same size. We totally overkilled it but its not gonna move (at all)