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Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 9:14 am
by Carberry
Got a customer wanting a car port built, the catch is that he wants it spanning 5.5m and the car would be parked right in the middle of it so you couldn't put supporting posts down the middle.
What thickness timber would I need to use? what spacing for trusses? Could it be supported on timber posts? If so what thickness and spacing?

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 9:41 am
by local patios and driveway
i did a floor that distance and used 7 x 3 timbers with cross struts in the center. but dont forget that was to hold people, beds and furniture above it. for a car port probably 6x2 with noggins? that would hold a mans weight or heavy snow fall surely? as for spacing that depends of what is going on top, usually 400mm center to center for an 8x4 sheet

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 11:38 am
by lutonlagerlout
Maybe you could get a truss company to make a frame. The weight of snow would be a killer over 5.5m
I would be tempted to go for steels
LLL

Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 8:40 pm
by gonchy
as lll has said steels are your best bet

but you can use gluam beams i wouldnt use any thing smaller than 9x4 on that span. big span for a unsupported roof snows causes a lot of problems. is it conected to the house or free standing i would also go hipped roof for better stability trusses will be 600 centres handcut 400 centres

when we build these we go for 8x4 post for over lap of beams on corners sat in a metal shoe concreted it

but you can buy these in kit from ie oak, softwood or a truss company will do it too

Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 9:35 am
by Carberry
gonchy wrote:as lll has said steels are your best bet

but you can use gluam beams i wouldnt use any thing smaller than 9x4 on that span. big span for a unsupported roof snows causes a lot of problems. is it conected to the house or free standing i would also go hipped roof for better stability trusses will be 600 centres handcut 400 centres

when we build these we go for 8x4 post for over lap of beams on corners sat in a metal shoe concreted it

but you can buy these in kit from ie oak, softwood or a truss company will do it too

Free standing. Could probably drop the span to 5m.

Any recommendations for kits?

Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 6:47 pm
by GB_Groundworks
im just about to post a car port weve just finished in recent work but its a bit different so not really relevant hehe

Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 9:56 pm
by Dave_L
Remember that pic I posted back along with the snow on that car port?