porch

[Alexis]

hello all,

what is the best/most simple way to frame a porch? The sobon book suggest a wide 6' porch but doesn't give clue on the design.

thanks

Alexis

[Kevin Rose]

I'll look forward to hearing answers to this. Particularly, what are the best practices for integrating the porch frame with the main structure? If, for instance, one were planning a timber frame/SIP building, are there challenges with working the SIPS around the porch frame?

Best,
Kevin

[witterbound]

When I built my porch, I did not attach it to my timber frame.  I cut holes in my osb (I didn't use sips), so that my plates and ridge beam go through my stick wall, and are suppored by 2x6s in the wall.  Spray foam insulation sealed everything up.  My porch is about 7x12.  It's just a typical two posts, a tie beam, a king post and two plates.  Nothing that unique or special. 

[Alexis]

thanks for the info witterbound

I was looking more for something like a wrap around porch... I was thinking of bolting a 2X8 to the wall and running 4X6 rafter to a plate which is supported by posts. My biggest dilemma is do I go with a lean to style, the rafter run from plate to a 2X8 or more like a separate frame, the rafter run from the plate to another plate, higher wich is also supported by posts. The second options seems a lot more complicated...

[frwinks]

I like option one
 



if working with sips, you can ask the manufacturer to insert a structural member for the rafter ledger.

[Rooster]

Well, I'm not sure if this helps...because it goes against the "don't bolt through the sip to the frame-post" idea, but I built a porch addition to a barn where the porch frame tie-beams are bolted(hidden fasteners) to the corresponding internal posts. I didn't feel comfortable relying on the rafter connections to secure the top of the porch top-plate. I used doubled-up 2x12 ledgers offset to the roof pitch, with 4x6 rafters 2ft O.C. Porch posts and tie-beams are sawn PT utility poles 7x7, and top-plate is 8x8 pine.(Sawn by Stumpy!)

Rooster