Carports & Canopies Archives

Snow Build-Over On Pergolas, Trellises & Mechanically Louvered Roofs (Cornice)

Beware of Snow Buildup On Open Roofs An important and frequently overlooked requirement for checking snow loads on open roof systems such as pergolas, trellises, and mechanically louvered roofs is the snow ‘buildover’ effect. This occurs when the snow accumulates on open patio roof components to the point where it builds ‘up and over’, touching the …

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Sunroom Terminology

The following is a summary of sunroom-related terms provided courtesy of the National Sunroom Association. Click Here for the official publication provided by the NSA, reprinted here for informational purposes. The terminology information encompasses many common terms used in the sunroom industry. You will note that some terms are cross-referenced to a “primary” …

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How To Use Master Plans – TER’s – Calculator Reports Purchased From Engineering Express

READ BELOW BEFORE USING NON SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONSFROM ENGINEERING EXPRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT General Information About Non Site-Specific Plans: Certified Performance Evaluations (also referred to as Master Plans, Generic, or Non Site-Specific Plans) you receive contain a physical or digitally certified engineer seal. They are intended to be used to assist in obtaining a building …

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What’s the difference between aluminum T5 and T6 temper (like 6063-T5 vs 6063-T6 alloy)?

How do you get from a T5 to T6 temper? Heat treatment is done by raising the alloy temperature to about 980 degrees F and holding it there for about an hour. The purpose of this is to dissolve all the alloying elements in a solid solution in the aluminum. Then the alloy is quenched …

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What is a canopy awning & which wind forces should I use to design?

A canopy is a structure which provides overhead protection from the elements such as rain, snow, or sunlight. Canopies can be attached to a structure or they can be free standing with their own supports. They can be constructed of a variety of materials including steel, concrete, aluminum, wood, or even fabric. According to ASCE …

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About AAMA 2100 and Sunroom Categories

Sunrooms across the US are categorized into 5 categories. AAMA published these in their AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100-12 publication which made its way into the Florida & International Building Codes. FBC (17, 20) lists this in Chapter 20 section 2002.6 directly siting the AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100 spec. IBC 2015/2018 References AAMA 2100 in IRC Chapter 44 Please refer …

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How to Avoid Contact With Aluminum & Dissimilar Metals

This is provided to inform clients of the dissimilar metal protection requirements of the 2015 Aluminum Design Manual, Chapter M – Section M.7 Structures of the alloys covered by the Aluminum Design Manual are not ordinarily painted. Surfaces shall be painted where: 2014-T6 alloys are exposed to corrosive environments. Aluminum alloy parts are in contact …

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Why are spacing, edge distance, and embedment important for concrete anchors?

When an anchor is installed into concrete, there is an area surrounding the anchor called a cone of influence in which the anchor is affecting and it is affected by. When two anchors are spaced too closely to one another and/or too closely to an edge, the anchor’s cone of influence reduces or becomes interfered …

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How To Determine Uplift Reactions For Canopies-Carports-Pergolas

Canopies & Wind Understand this – A backyard canopy attached to the back of your house, a pergola/trellis, or a lightweight sunroom/screen room comprise of relatively very little weight and is of lesser construction than the structure to which they are attached. Also, consider that a wall of a house continuously supports a roof, …

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Types of At-Grade Footings Explained

Here’s a description and illustrations we’ve created for footing types we frequently reference in our work for sunrooms, pergolas, carports, screen rooms, signs, and similar at-grade building component structures. Photos of each appear below. An isolated footing is used to support a single post. Isolated footings are independent footings which are provided for each …

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CHECKLIST FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS – SUNROOMS

CHECKLIST OF DESIGN ITEMS NEEDED FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS, PERGOLAS & SUNROOMS Engineering Express provides signed & sealed design plans for various types of screened enclosures, sunrooms, & open / enclosed patios attached to the main residence or freestanding. Please review the starter list – checklist below & make sure you complete …

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What wind information is required for construction documents?

From the 5th, 6th &7th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2014, 2017, 2020) section 1603.1.4 as well as from section 1603.1.4. of the 2012, 2015, & 2018 International Building Code, construction documents shall show the following: Ultimate design wind speed, Vult (3-second gust), miles per hour and nominal design wind speed (Vasd) as …

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Wind Speed to Wind Pressure For Sunrooms – Canopies – Pergolas Using ASCE 7-16

ASCE 7-16 is introduced into the 2018 International Building Code and 7th Edition Florida Building Code (2020) as the new referenced standard for wind design. This standard introduced an enhanced section for the conversion of wind velocities to roof wind pressures for roof components attached to buildings and freestanding structures such as sunrooms, overhead canopies, …

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Metal Fasteners UNC vs Spaced Thread

Overview Metal fastening is designed per the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC): Specification for Structural Steel Buildings in conjunction with the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA): TIR-A9-14 Design Guide for Metal Cladding Fasteners. Types The two most common types of fastener threads used in construction are Unified Coarse Thread (UNC) more …

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Perforated Design Method vs. Segmented Design Methods for Shear Walls

Perforated Design Method vs. Segmented Design Methods for Shear Walls The International Building Code (2018) defines a shear wall as “a wall designed to resist lateral forces parallel to the plane of a wall.” Lateral forces include, but are not limited to, wind and seismic forces that may shift or deflect a structure laterally. …

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Wind Speed vs. Wind Pressure Explained

Many don’t understand how wind works & state that a product is rated to a specific wind speed. This is false advertising & not true. There’s no such thing as “Rated to XXX MPH wind” This is frequently seen in marketing materials which is a false & misleading statement that comes with many unwritten …

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