October 14, 20242 yr Author 3 minutes ago, markc said: Pulling a post into square before fixings will help it to stay put, but without bracing a “table” structure will sway and pulling one leg into plumb generally results is it pulling another leg half way so the stresses balance. how is this bracing achieved in such circumstances? I reckon I need an anchor of some sort.
October 14, 20242 yr 5 hours ago, JohnBishop said: how is this bracing achieved in such circumstances? I reckon I need an anchor of some sort. Hi, do you have any pics of the structure, loads of ways of adding bracing to prevent racking of a table. If one edge of the roof is fixed to a wall you can add diagonal braces in the roof - timber, metal or tensioned wires to hold the other edge rigid at the top. Side braces or if you are wanting to keep the structure clutter free then you are looking at holding it be the joints between posts and top members. Loads of options and no real right or wrong.
October 16, 20242 yr Author On 14/10/2024 at 15:42, markc said: Hi, do you have any pics of the structure, loads of ways of adding bracing to prevent racking of a table. If one edge of the roof is fixed to a wall you can add diagonal braces in the roof - timber, metal or tensioned wires to hold the other edge rigid at the top. Side braces or if you are wanting to keep the structure clutter free then you are looking at holding it be the joints between posts and top members. Loads of options and no real right or wrong. I already screwed everything together. I could not wait before the beautiful weather today I send some pictures later today. On the bases I used M10 everywhere else M12
October 16, 20242 yr Look at the photos throughout this thread. "Bracing" is generally achieved by the little diagonals at the top. Either let in to the horizontal / vertical members with a joint detail (mortice & tenon, through housing etc) and / or screwed / bolted through. I'd use dog tooth washers btw if "clamping" braces on.
October 16, 20242 yr Author Please have a look. This is what I built so far. This is very strong. I mean I could put up a roof and then think about bracing as this is quite strong. I don't put tiles but polycarbonate sheets.
October 16, 20242 yr Author I think the only problem I can see so far is those wires going exactly where the rafters will end. I think I have to move them or something or carve out the wood.
October 16, 20242 yr On 29/12/2023 at 18:43, gaz_moose said: twinwall polycarbonate sheeting. but i think its just going to be a massive sail. make sure you screw the roof down solid. I do not like twin wall as all those little holes that run top to bottom get mould growing in them abd is impossible to clean out plus you have the perfext bug holes to nest in they say to use special tape around the edges but it still does not stop it growing mould inside the box sections and can lead to condesnation in the panels
October 18, 20242 yr Author On 16/10/2024 at 21:01, scottishjohn said: I do not like twin wall as all those little holes that run top to bottom get mould growing in them abd is impossible to clean out plus you have the perfext bug holes to nest in they say to use special tape around the edges but it still does not stop it growing mould inside the box sections and can lead to condesnation in the panels I have heard about that. What else transparent would you recommend then?
October 18, 20242 yr 1 hour ago, JohnBishop said: I have heard about that. What else transparent would you recommend then? corrugated
October 21, 20242 yr Author On 18/10/2024 at 16:06, scottishjohn said: corrugated what do you think about stuff like EZ Glaze? https://corrugatedplasticroofing.co.uk/collections/ez-glaze-glass-like-polycarbonate-roof-panels
October 21, 20242 yr I used that type of pproducr for windows in a summer gouse but never for a roof might be too flexible
October 21, 20242 yr Author 2 hours ago, scottishjohn said: I used that type of pproducr for windows in a summer gouse but never for a roof might be too flexible from the description these are 3mm thick comparing to corrugated that is 1-1.3mm of thickness
October 22, 20242 yr I,m quite it would be ok with a suitable frame work to give support but if your thought is to have 1m wide panes and the length of the patio cover with noo intermeadite supports i would say that is too much and would flap when windy ask the maker Edited October 22, 20242 yr by scottishjohn
October 22, 20242 yr correction idid not look closely at what you were proposing i used flat sheet for widows --just like glass the product you are suggesting is corrugated and has lots of support so will be fine i think
October 22, 20242 yr Author I think the spacing between rafters will be 60cm. This EZ Glaze looks cool but it's quite expensive unless I can find something similar but cheaper. How far should the overhang reach do you think? Half-way? Of course on the right side I want to cut it parallel to the wall. Do you think on the left side should I cut it square? I think on both ends I should incise these weeping groves right so the timer lasts longer, no?
October 23, 20242 yr Author I wanted the timber to rest on the 2nd one but it looks like the cut is going to be too deep, isn't it? What would you recommend doing? Should I introduce a wedge to bridge the gap?
November 1, 20242 yr Author I have cut the timber and I am in the process of staining it but it takes awful amount of time to dry. Do you think I should leave a gap between the insulated wall I mean that brittle plaster and the timber? The structure is pretty strong but I wonder in strong winds is it going to start slamming the wall. On top of that do you know if I can get something like this corrugation support these guys in Arizona talk about? I think in UK this is called eaves filler made of foam? I found some at Onduline website https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Eaves-Fillers-for-Corrugated-Sheets-Pack-6/p/240165 I don't think this makes sense in my case because I attach it to rafters that go parallel with the sheets but it would be good to support it on something in place where I screw it in. Edited November 1, 20242 yr by JohnBishop
November 19, 20241 yr Author what screws do you think I should use to attach these plastic flashings to the insulated wall? https://www.plasticbuildingsupplies.com/polycarbonate-roofing-sheet/ez-glaze-accessories-ez-glaze-wall-connector-2m-ezglazew-conn2m
November 28, 20241 yr Author How long screws should I use to attach the rafters? The rafter (birds mouth bit) is about 8.5cm thick. The timber is about 4.7cm wide. Should I use 18cm long screws that are 6mm of diameter? What drill size should I use for pre-drilling 5mm? Edited November 28, 20241 yr by JohnBishop
June 18, 20251 yr Author I have completed my patio project, now I proceed with pergola. This structure has to be stronger than the patio because I want to put 4 large solar panels on top. Same 6x6 posts but the question is about bases. Like we did this comparison previously: https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/36582-patio-roof/#findComment-556352 I like these bases you can submerge into the concrete however this 5mm thickness does not give me confidence. I am confident with the timber, 6x6 posts and other bits like 2x7, rafters 2x8 to carry the load. Have you come across something similar but thicker e.g. 6-8mm thick steel? Edited June 18, 20251 yr by JohnBishop
June 18, 20251 yr I've just started mine, 2x 500W panels in the centre and the 45 Deg slat roof either side. Mine is 100mm posts and 6x2 perimeter framing. Are your panels really huge, your structure sounds huge. Zero chances of it being falling over even if your house fell on it.
June 18, 20251 yr Author 1 hour ago, JohnMo said: I've just started mine, 2x 500W panels in the centre and the 45 Deg slat roof either side. Mine is 100mm posts and 6x2 perimeter framing. Are your panels really huge, your structure sounds huge. Zero chances of it being falling over even if your house fell on it. I just build like that. Thicker posts. If my patio has 6x6 I just cannot downgrade on my pergola. Patio 3.5x5m (roof dimensions) Pergola 4.5x4.5m (roof dimensions) What is the weight of those 2 panels? Do you install these fancy inverters under the panels? Did you wrap your roof with bitumen felt? Edited June 18, 20251 yr by JohnBishop
June 18, 20251 yr 12 minutes ago, JohnBishop said: What is the weight of those 2 panels The datasheet says 26kg each, but they are also 150mm shorter than the datasheet, so suspect near to 25kg each. Have used bifacial so they are black both sides. Will be using a Ecoflow Stream Ultra battery inverter, each 500W panel goes back to the battery and you can hook up 4 panels individually via 4x MPPT in the unit. Comes with a 2kWh battery also. 17 minutes ago, JohnBishop said: Did you wrap your roof with bitumen felt? Apart from panels the rest will be open with timber strips angled at 45 degs every 50 to 75mm (yet to be determined), a bit like this
June 25, 20251 yr Author So do you guys think these 5mm thick steel post bases 150mm are sufficient for a pergola + 4 solar panels (approx. 100kg)? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324527521877 This is what I used on my patio but pergola is going to be a bit heavier due to the fact I put a roof (laminate boards and panels),
July 7, 20251 yr Author I went for the above post bases. On the patio I used 4x2 rafters. Will 5x2 rafters be enough for the pergola to support the 4 panels? I like the way you achieve some shade. I was going to felt it but now I don't know if this is going to be too much shade?
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