Roof over sandbox question

I am going to build a roof over an existing sandbox which is 12'x10'. How many posts will be required for construction? I was thinking three posts on the long end and two on the short end. Is this sufficient or could I actually get by with four?

Thanks in advance.

Reply to
donald
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No enough info.

It depends on the size of the horizontal cross piece supporting the roof. The bigger the header, the longer the span.

Is there a snow load to be carried in the winter?

Steve

Reply to
Stephen M

I guess, as Stephen said, it depends.

I have also seen sandbox roofs that can lower down to keep out critters, cats especially, when not in use. That would be a lot of roof to lower and raise. If they can do it here

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surely you could do a

12x10 raising and lowering roof! Think monster house. 4 steel guide posts, anchored in concrete. Cables, motor, pulley, safety setup like garage door opener has. In fact, you could probably cannibalize a couple of garage door openers to do this. I guess I way off track. Anyway, have fun and be safe.
Reply to
No

I am going to put a simple lattus (or however it is spelled) using 2x10 horizontal supports. with 2x6 cross members..

Reply to
donald

Oh..one other thing. Since the sandbox is 10x12, the roof will actually be

12x14.
Reply to
donald

Those 2xs, are they on 16" centers? Were you planning on parking a truck up there, or do you just like the heavy, bulky look? Will there be snow loads to contend with?

2x10 is standard for a 14' span to hold up a plywood and shingle flat roof in house construction, but there you have 4 bearing WALLS. If you want posts in the corners only, I would think about 4" pipe, buried at least 4'. You're gonna need decent size beams from corner to corner. How about picking up a roofing or framing book from the library for ideas? Unless you get an answer here from a qualified architect or engineer, you may want to think twice before building and risking children's safety.
Reply to
gpdewitt

Ditto, really.

To the OP:

I would have no problem building something like this, but I have also framed a 2-story addition (which has not yet fallen down :-))

What you want here is engineering advise. The missing elements from your question suggest a certain ignorance (I don't mean that in a nasty way at all). It would be afraid that a bad assumption would be made by the you (the OP) or by a replying poster or something lost in the context of a text-only message.

It's absolutely a a DIY project, but get some experienced hands-on (more than a keyboard) help.

-Steve

Reply to
Stephen M

Why are we making a mountain out of a molehill? This is not a two story addition or a parking structure. It is a simple shade structure for a sandbox! I just wanted to know what what was reccomended for the span of the

2x10 . Do I need three or could I get by with two 4x4's.
Reply to
donald

Donald:

What I suggest is that you go to your local lumberyard. They will tell you what to do to meet codes. You really are asking people for information that requires local climate knowledge, engineering ability, and knowledge of local codes. Since you won't or can't give that info I sure won't suggest anything.

Respectfully. Many people here are engineers or have professional designations. If they give you bad advice it can harm them professionally... So the ones who can most help are often silent if there isn't a lot of info to work with.

Sometimes these roofs are simple -- sometimes they are not...

If the next door neighbour asked me that question I would know that it might have to carry a heavy snow load and cope with -40 + 35 temperatures and that the posts would have to be sunk at least three feet to prevent frost heaving etc.

You gave none of that info.

Reply to
WillR

Keep the structure light.

4x4's at each corner will definitely keep it up in the air, but the lateral loading is what you need to worry about. If the posts are rigidly embedded in the ground and have some decent bracing at the top then it is certainly possible to just use 4 of them (depends on the wood species and grade) If you want 2 on each side then that would be fine too. In that case the 2x10 seems to be overkill.

In any case, checking with a local structural engineer who knows what sort of wood you are using and what sorts of design loads you need to pay attention to is a good idea. If you are incapable of figuring this out by yourself, then a visit to a professional is in order.

-j

Reply to
J

I think a 6X6 at each corner might be better than using 4X4's.

Reply to
Pat

TWO. At either side of the north end of the box. The rest is tarp and tie-down slanting south.

Why in the hell would you want to put anything up that would tempt a kid to climb or swing on it?

Reply to
George

Unless like some people, they have a severe reaction to too much direct sun. What would you suggest?

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

The tarp, Ed. The tarp. As father of a redhead, I know a bit about sun control.

Reply to
George

On Thu, 2 Jun 2005 07:24:35 -0400, the inscrutable "George" spake:

Because kids love to climb and swing? Because it provides shade?

Besides, it'll keep the kids out of the huge sand "catbox."

------------------------------------------------------------ California's 4 Seasons: Fire, Flood, Drought, & Earthquake --------------------------------------

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NoteSHADES(tm) glare guards

Reply to
Larry Jaques

So they can have fun?

-j

Reply to
J

But with shelter from sun and rain, will tempt all the neighboring cats into the great new toilet!

Reply to
Lobby Dosser

Nothing a quick shot of lead therapy won't cure. Oh wait, I hear we're not allowed to shoot cats?

Dave "When the heck did _that_ happen?" Hinz

Reply to
Dave Hinz

It sounds like a great place to create a grape arbor. Shade at the correct time of the year and the leaves disappear when it is time to worry about snow load, to say nothing for the bounty of the grapes. You might even try making wine.

(top posted for your convenience) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Keep the whole world singing . . . . DanG (remove the sevens) snipped-for-privacy@7cox.net

Reply to
DanG

Does the sandbox stay outside all year? Wind and snow? At that size I guess you'd have to leave it out there all year, right? I'd be concerned about snow and the weight of the snow/ice and whatever else would fall on the top during the year. If you can wait a bit longer for the sun to come around to a more summer-like (hotter) angle you might get away with a slanted section of some material that would shade the sandbox for only the hottest part of the day, leaving some air and sunshine into the box to dry out rain.

Josie

Reply to
firstjois

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