DIY Builds
Photo by Brenner Oliveira Pexels Logo Photo: Brenner Oliveira

How much weight can a roof overhang hold?

How Much Weight Can A Flat Roof Hold? California building code sets minimum standards for roof load-bearing capacity. At minimum, any roof which may be used by maintenance workers must hold 300 pounds concentrated. Concentrated means that this weight can be held by any one spot on the roof.

Do barn doors require a bottom track?
Do barn doors require a bottom track?

If you are thinking about installing a barn door, you might wonder – do barn doors need a bottom track? The answer is yes. The bottom track keeps...

Read More »
How do people get rich in 2022?
How do people get rich in 2022?

Becoming rich is an ambitious goal, and here are simple ways to get there. Invest in yourself. Investing in yourself is your first step on how to...

Read More »

There are plenty of situations where you may need to know how much weight your roof can support. If you own a commercial flat roof you may be curious if it can support a new packaged HVAC system, or the weight of your maintenance crew. Homeowners may be concerned that their roof won’t support them if they head up to install Christmas lights or decorations. You can get a general idea about how much weight your roof can support from building codes. California and your local municipality set minimum standards for roof strength. However, there are some changes and problems that may have reduced your roof’s strength. In the end, you may need expert guidance. For now, here are a few things that commercial building owners and homeowners need to consider before they reach out to an architect.

How Much Weight Can A Flat Roof Hold?

California building code sets minimum standards for roof load-bearing capacity. At minimum, any roof which may be used by maintenance workers must hold 300 pounds concentrated. Concentrated means that this weight can be held by any one spot on the roof. In essence, you can expect that a flat roof built to California’s building code can safety hold 300 pounds of HVAC equipment in an area that measures 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet. While that is the bare minimum, your roof may need to hold more. For example, in order to support a helipad for large helicopters your roof must hold 60 pounds per square foot overall as well as a single concentrated live load of 3,000 pounds over an area of 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches. So, how do you find out what your building was designed to hold? As per California building code, your structural documents should indicate the specific weight your roof can hold. However, you may not be able to take your construction documents as gospel, especially if your building or roof is old. Additions to the building may have a stronger or weaker roof. New roofing materials may weigh more than older ones, which increases the overall stress on the roof. In the end, the only people who can tell you for certain what your specific roof can hold are either your architect or a structural engineer.

What is cheaper a metal garage or wood?
What is cheaper a metal garage or wood?

Budget Busting Metal two-car garages rank high due to their affordability. Metal averages $14 a square foot to build, a far lower cost than wood's...

Read More »
Can I put a shed on the side of my house?
Can I put a shed on the side of my house?

You typically can't build a shed within 10 feet of the rear property line and 15 feet from a side property line. There should be sufficient room...

Read More »

What is the roof over a porch called?

The most common porch roof is a gable roof. The gable roof is a triangle-shaped roof that projects along a ridge down the center of the enclosure. The sides are sloped at a particular pitch rise over run to shed snow and water.

Different Types of Porch Roof Designs

The most common porch roof is a gable roof. The gable roof is a triangle-shaped roof that projects along a ridge down the center of the enclosure. The sides are sloped at a particular pitch rise over run to shed snow and water. For instance, a 6/12 roof pitch means the roof elevates 6’ over a 12’ span. Gable roofs usually overhang the walls of the enclosure on the sides thus creating the need for soffits and fascia. Gable roofs are familiar forms and blend in well with many house designs. The peak of a porch gable roof can sometimes create problems if it interferes with house windows. A hip roof is a more complicated roof style where all the roof sides slope downwards to the walls. There are no gables and the slope is generally relatively gentle. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid. Hip roofs are more difficult to build than gable style roofs because they require a more complicated set of roof trusses. They have the aesthetic advantage of providing a solid, compact appearance for the structure. A shed style porch roof involves a single sloping roof surface that attaches to the house wall on the high end and support posts on the low end. The shed style roof is common for long and narrow front porches. It doesn’t usually make sense to include a shed style roof over a deep porch because the roof line at the house will be too high and it will look out of place. Gable Porch Roof This is an example of an A framed gable end porch roof. Shed Roof This is an example of a one pitch shed style porch roof.

Can sleeping in a cold room make you sick?
Can sleeping in a cold room make you sick?

“You can't get sick from being cold in general, whether you are outside or inside,” Fecher says. Dec 5, 2017

Read More »
Can PEX be used for underground water line?
Can PEX be used for underground water line?

Among the three types of PEX, two types, PEX A and PEX B, are suitable for burying underground. These two PEX tubing options have enough...

Read More »
What is the difference between a concrete slab and a foundation?
What is the difference between a concrete slab and a foundation?

A slab foundation is a raised slab that the house is built on top of. In comparison, a crawl space foundation has exterior concrete walls (and...

Read More »
What are 3 things you are passionate about?
What are 3 things you are passionate about?

The Ultimate List Of Passions Healthy eating. Walking, hiking, or trekking. Running. Biking. Swimming. Self-defense. Sports. Resistance training...

Read More »