Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Bruce,

We are planning to build an attached patio cover in the back of our home on top of a concrete slab which is 10' x 45'.  The master bedroom on the left side of the picture has a 1 foot higher ceiling than the kitchen on the far right side of the picture, which is about 10 feet high.

I plan on using 2x6 ledger boards to attach the patio cover to the house and 2x10 rafters spaced 2' apart with 2x8 header beams and 4x4 posts.  With the master bedroom, family room (slope), and kitchen being at different heights, my question is where would be the best place to attach the patio cover to the house?  Also would 5 posts as well as the other materials I plan on using be sufficient to prevent sagging?  Thanks.



ANSWER: Hi Peter, I would trim the rafter tails back at what I assume is the kitchen roof and then attach the ledger at that elevation.  This will put your ledger above the bedroom window and you should be able to frame around the baywindow pop out on the far right.  I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

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QUESTION: If I'm framing at the kitchen roof, then in order for it to be level all the way across I would have to attach ledgers to the brick above the bedroom window.  What would be the best way to do that and is it safe to attach a ledger to brick?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi again peter, It kind of depends on how your walls are constructed.  If they are cement block with brick veneer you can use epoxy bolts made specifically for hollow walls.  If the walls are wood frame with brick veneer then you need to locate the studs and lag bolt the ledger into the studs with 1/2" lag bolts.  If the wall is a double wythe or triple wythe brick wall then you can use epoxy bolts.   Simpsonstrongtie.com, Hilti.com show various methods for attaching to brick, hollow wall or wood.. I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com