Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 5/25/2011

Question
I want to add a carport to the side of my house, but with no outside wall or posts.  It'll be corrugated steel on wood framing and purlins.  I want to suspend it by cables from the roof rafters where they extend out over the second story wall.  It'll be about 30' long and 12' out from the house.  We have no snow loads but my concern is wind- I've thought of running the cables through PVC pipe or conduit to prevent the wind from lifting it.  Do you have any better suggestions?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Rick, if you are okay with using conduit over the cables why not use a heavy gauge pipe and skip the cables? Most overhanging canopies are suspended this way. You can get fittings for attaching to angled surfaces.  I suggest consulting an engineer for the calculations and wind loads for this type of design but it is workable.  I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com