Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Nov 16, 2014 11:52 am Hi, I am new to this forum so just throwing this out there for advice please. I want to build a free standing carport on my driveway 8m Long with the width approx 5.7m on the longest width and the driveway narrowing to 4.5m. I am happy to put 4 posts (90x90 merbeau) each side to cover my 8m continuous span. 1. My main question is - I want to SPAN the 5.7m without a centre post - Wind rating would be N2 (residential home in Robina) and I will place colourbond roof sheets on top. I will also include angle bracing on posts to beams. What Size Rafters can I use - am hoping I can span this distance with 190x45 with 900mm spacing? I have google so many SPAN tables but so many variations. I also have seen variations in F7 or MGP10 190*45 so is this also a factor to consider? 2. Could I get away with 6 posts over the 8m sides of the carport? If I had them 4m apart what size beam would be allowable for this Span? Any help is appreciated and if you need more info please advise. Thanks Re: Free standing carport advice 2Nov 16, 2014 12:32 pm A structure that size will require building permit in Qld. This means engineered drawings. At Robina you're probably on a suburban lot, have you checked with council regarding town planning rules? Cant help you with spans sorry. Re: Free standing carport advice 3Nov 16, 2014 1:41 pm Thanks for the info and will check in with council accordingly. Re: Free standing carport advice 4Nov 16, 2014 2:16 pm As per qebtels post, most councils will make you do building permit or DA. The point I'd like to raise though is that you don't want mid-posts along the sides of your carport. Kids, teenagers ( and some slack adults ) will open the car doors and hit the posts leaving you with panel damage to your cars. Not only that but with the posts there it will restrict access to your vehicles for older people and placing a toddler into a car seat/safety capsule. It's better if you beef up the side beams and remove the mid-posts. Stewie Re: Free standing carport advice 5Nov 21, 2014 6:16 am Practical suggestions Stevie D. I am looking to build one too, will be following this post. 23/06/2014 - Paid deposit 21/07/2014 - ordered the survey and tender 13/08/2014 - soils test sample taken 14/08/2014 - survey done today 30/08/2014 - Pre-color consultant aptmnt Re: Free standing carport advice 6Nov 22, 2014 9:39 am Many of the garage and shed companies would be able to supply a kit with all drawings for council. Stratco , all gal garages and others Design from top down to ground , build from ground up Re: Free standing carport advice 7Nov 23, 2014 4:05 pm Ok, I'm not going to play the cop and say what you should and shouldn't do, I'm just going to actually answer your question. 190x35 MGP10 will span 5900 170x35 MGP12 will span 5700 I assume you are just doing a flat roof? Skillion/lean two. If pitching a gable your span is effectively halved Keep in mind "span" is between supports so your true span is inside to inside of beams, not overall outside to outside. As for the beam, assuming you want to keep with the same sort of material (MGP 12 Pine) 120x35 continuous spans 2600 This works if using 4 posts 2/140x35's laminated together span 4300 or 190x45 spans 4300 This works if using 3 posts If single spanning the whole 8 metres.... 395x65 17c laminated beam. This beam will cost you $958.36 EACH. PLUS A CRANE TO LIFT IT You wont get a solid piece of timber 8 metres long to start with let alone strong enough, that's why you would need a laminated beam Now although no centre posts sounds great, its just not economical or practical Centre posts will also only hit doors assuming you are putting 2 cars under it. If that's the case, Just be strategic about where you place the posts. Keep in mind you could have the posts in from the end a bit and let the beams cantilever out to the 8m point. Make sure the front post lines up just in front of or just behind the doors when parked etc. Any extra posts whether spaced evenly or not will help to break the spans. And yes approval is needed, but as I said, you didn't ask that, you never said you weren't going to do that, and I'm not the cop Hope this helps Andrew Re: Free standing carport advice 8Nov 23, 2014 6:53 pm Not withstanding the thorough information on timber sizing from Andrew above, if you plan to build this carport yourself I suggest that you consider light gauge steel construction. The suppliers of steel carports typically can provide structural calculations and member sizing for a small fee and the steel beams (typically "C" sections) will be lighter that solid timber beams making erection easier and safer. Re: Free standing carport advice 9Nov 23, 2014 9:25 pm Yes, steel purlins will be lighter, but safer? Sharp edges, sparks flying off a grinder, tek screws and drill bits sliding off as they try to get started, plan on building it in summer? then pack a good set of gloves so you don't get burnt, leant up purlins falling over as they don't have the friction to keep them in place, twisting and distorting as you walk on them until they are properly restrained. Plus Timber looks a lot better. I also argue that timber is quicker to work with. Cut the rafter overhangs and nail on a barge, how long would this take in steel? I don't understand the general idea that people keep pushing steel. Yes it has it's place, but a humble carport could be done easier in timber. And it's only pine to don't forget, it's not like it's heavy timber members to start with Re: Free standing carport advice 10Nov 24, 2014 10:27 am 33amc Yes, steel purlins will be lighter, but safer? Sharp edges, sparks flying off a grinder, tek screws and drill bits sliding off as they try to get started, plan on building it in summer? then pack a good set of gloves so you don't get burnt, leant up purlins falling over as they don't have the friction to keep them in place, twisting and distorting as you walk on them until they are properly restrained. lol you sound like these building material haters we have had on here of late. I've built with steel in Summer temps, all that stuff you mention is no big deal in the real world. Re: Free standing carport advice 11Nov 24, 2014 11:40 am Quote: Sharp edges, sparks flying off a grinder, tek screws and drill bits sliding off as they try to get started, plan on building it in summer? then pack a good set of gloves so you don't get burnt, leant up purlins falling over as they don't have the friction to keep them in place, twisting and distorting as you walk on them until they are properly restrained. Even though I am a chippie by trade and would much prefer to work with timber rather than metal, you make it sound like a horror movie. Lol +1 If it's so dangerous, the authorities should ban it ! Stewie Re: Free standing carport advice 12Dec 31, 2014 1:21 pm Agree with Stewie, there are pros and cons with all options-you can weigh them up but ultimately what look do you want? Timber frame with corro sheets, or lightweight steel with a flatter type roof profile. If you are considering steel, you don't have to buy stock length purlins and have to cut them all up. As stated before, Stratco and other such companies supply pre-cut carport kits with all engineering supplied. Using these kits, they can be in colorbond rather than plain galvanised. Also, minimal cutting on site, pre-engineered so less hassles, and you have warranty and back-up. There's heaps of these shops around with displays. Good luck with it, a nicely-built carport will add big $$$ to your house! Home is where the lot is Construction commenced 3rd November 2014 Yep, that's how I'll be doing it. Just ordered M10 Stainless all thread and Muti-se Vinylester (simliar to Ramset 801) from my favourite online supplier. 4 7833 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 3086 Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 10624 |