Free Standing Deck Roof Requirements

Deck foot anchor could support 1500 lb.

Free standing deck roof requirements.

Freestanding decks greater than 2 feet above grade must be able to resist lateral and horizontal movement by providing diagonal bracing. The footings for porch decks must be larger than deck footings. To structure the roof take your 2 6 boards. Of deck or shed per footing.

Porch decks require 25 additional psf for roof loads for a total of 80 psf. A free standing roof needs to have posts sunk into the ground. Using the irc s default soil bearing capacity of 1500 lb. They have to be a bit longer than the patio.

Since they will overhang a little bit over the patio you need to make sure that you do not cut them down at the same length as the patio. According to the international residential code adopted by most states a deck does not need a building permit if it is less than 200 square feet under 30 off the ground does not serve a required exit door and is not attached to the dwelling if it is freestanding. Design load that s 30 sq. Free standing covered deck plans are available in abundance online.

Because there isn t a house to anchor one end of the deck uplift and racking forces are greater issues that must be addressed in the structural design. You can cut them down as needed. Likewise the load that each deck foot anchor can support depends on the bearing capacity of the soil. At the code minimum 50 lb.

Guards are required when then deck is 24 60 cm above grade. Start here if you re building a roof over a patio or deck. The railing must be at least 36 inches high and it must include balusters that are no more than 4 inches apart. The bracing material must be 2 x 4 lumber and you must use a 1 2 inch through bolt at each connection point every deck higher than 30 inches whether it s free standing or not must have a railing.

As a result most decks have inadequate footings to support a new porch roof. Many porches use 22 diameter corner and intermediate footings. Typical decks are designed to support 55 psf lbs per square foot. If it is next to a house or structure it should be secured to the siding or roof of that structure as well to keep it stable through high winds and lashing rains.

Unlike decks attached to houses freestanding decks must be braced perpendicular to the house. Standard bracing between posts and the outer beam is used on freestanding decks as it is on many decks attached to houses.