The organization of a comfortable entrance to the garage is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a critical element of the durability of the structure. Awning over the garage entrance It acts as a buffer, protecting the gates and locking mechanisms from direct exposure to precipitation, storm waters and the scorching sun. Without such protection, metal elements quickly become rusted, and in winter the door can freeze to the frame because of the accumulated ice.
In addition, the presence of a visor significantly simplifies the life of the owner of the car in bad weather. You can safely open the trunk or hood without getting wet in the rain, and carry out a small technical inspection without having to look for an umbrella or pull up polyethylene. The well-designed design diverts water to the side, preventing the formation of puddles and ice immediately before the threshold, which reduces the risk of injury and slip.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what materials are best suited to create reliable protection, how to calculate the load on the supports and what nuances of installation should be taken into account for different types of soil. PolycarbonateFlooring or soft roofing β the choice depends on the budget and architectural style, but the principle of water removal is the same for all options.
Choosing the optimal design and coating materials
The first thing to decide before starting work is the type of design. It can be console, resting only on the wall of the building, or full, with independent support poles. For lightweight materials such as cellular polycarbonate or ondulin, a strong anchor attachment to the load-bearing wall is often sufficient. However, if you plan to use heavy ceramic tiles or slate, you can not do without additional racks.
The roofing material plays a key role in the durability of the entire system. Polycarbonate It remains a leader due to its transparency and lightness, but it requires a high-quality UV filter, otherwise it will become cloudy and fragile in a couple of years. Metal profile sheet is characterized by high strength and noise insulation during rain, but requires mandatory anticorrosion treatment of cuts and places of fastenings.
β οΈ Note: When choosing transparent materials for a canopy, consider their ability to work as a lens. Cheap polycarbonate varieties can focus the sunβs rays, creating the risk of ignition of objects accidentally left under the visor.
Wooden structural elements such as beams or decorative consoles require careful treatment with antiseptics and flame retardants. In a garage environment where fuels and solvents are often stored, wood is particularly vulnerable. An alternative might be a composite board that doesnβt rot, but costs significantly more.
Load calculation and frame design
Designing starts with determining the snow and wind load in your area. Snow cap The roof can weigh hundreds of kilograms, and if the frame is not designed for this weight, the design will be formed at the most inopportune moment. For the central regions of Russia, the standard snow load can reach 180 kg / sq.m., and in some areas - all 240 kg / sq.m.
The frame is most often made of a profile metal pipe. For spans up to 3 meters, it is optimal to use a pipe with a cross section of 40x40 mm or 50x50 mm with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm. If the span is larger, it will require strengthening by farms or using a larger cross-section pipe. Welds should be cleaned and painted with a primer on metal to prevent corrosion.
Formula for calculating snow load
S = Sg Γ ΞΌ, where Sg is the weight of snow cover per 1 m2 of the horizontal surface of the earth (according to the maps of the SNIP), and ΞΌ is the coefficient depending on the angle of inclination of the roof. For single-sided canopies with an angle of up to 25 degrees ΞΌ = 1.
The angle of slope is a critical parameter. A roof that is too flat will accumulate snow and debris, creating excessive pressure. Too steep will increase the sailing structure, which is dangerous in high winds. The optimal angle is from 15 to 30 degrees, which provides self-cleaning from snow and efficient water flow.
Tools and preparation of the foundation
The quality of installation depends on the preparation of the base. If the canopy rests on pillars, they must be buried below the level of freezing of the soil to avoid pushing the supports in winter. For the average strip of Russia it is about 1.2-1.4 meters. The pillars are concreted using a reinforcement frame to give stiffness.
To work, you will need a standard set of tools that most home craftsmen will find. It is important to check the serviceability of the equipment and the availability of consumables in advance, so as not to interrupt the installation process.
- π οΈ Welding apparatus (inverter) and electrodes of the corresponding diameter for the assembly of the metal frame.
- π Building level, roulette and lace for accurate axle marking and horizon control.
- π¨ A punch or impact drill with a set of drills for fastening to the wall and working with concrete.
- πͺ Bulgarian (USM) with metal discs and grinding wheels for cutting and cleaning seams.
If the soil on the site is pulpy or weak, it is recommended to make a pile-screw foundation or a belt base under a number of supports. This will increase the budget, but it will ensure that canopy It won't be a sloppy in a couple of seasons. Before pouring concrete, make sure that the upper ends of the pipes are exposed strictly in one plane.
βοΈ Preparation for frame installation
Step-by-step instructions for the assembly of a metal frame
The assembly of the frame begins with the installation and concrete of the support pillars. After the concrete has gained sufficient strength (usually 3-7 days), you can start the installation of horizontal runs and farms. All welding work is better carried out on the ground, collecting individual sections, which are then raised and welded to the racks.
When connecting elements, it is important to observe geometry. A distortion even a few centimeters can lead to the fact that the roof sheets do not lie flat, forming "pockets" for stagnation of water. Hydrolevel or laser level will help to set all the mounting points perfectly.
| Element of construction | Recommended section (mm) | Installation step (mm) | Type of connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support poles | 80x80 or 100x100 | 2000 - 3000 | Concreteness |
| Farms/Stropla | 40x40 or 50x25 | 800 - 1000 | Welding |
| Crate | 20x20 or 30x20 | 300 - 500 | Welding/Bolts |
| drainage | 120 - 150 (width) | Perimeter. | Chomut |
| Support poles | 80x80 or 100x100 | 2000 - 3000 | Concreteness |
| Farms/Stropla | 40x40 or 50x25 | 800 - 1000 | Welding |
| Crate | 20x20 or 30x20 | 300 - 500 | Welding/Bolts |
| drainage | 120 - 150 (width) | Perimeter. | Chomut |
After welding all elements, the frame must be thoroughly cleaned of slag, degreased and covered with a primer. Only after drying the soil is applied finishing paint, preferably in two layers. This will create a reliable barrier to moisture and extend the life of the metal for decades.
Installation of roofing and drainage
The laying of the roofing material is the final stage of construction. If you use polycarbonateRemember that its cells must be perpendicular to the edge of the ramp so that the condensate can flow freely. Fixing is made with the help of special thermal washers that compensate for the temperature expansion of the material. To twist screws need to be strictly perpendicular to the surface, avoiding stretching, which can deform the sheet.
For profnastile or metal roofing screws with EPDM-layers are used. They are screwed into the lower wave profile. It is important not to overdo it: the gasket should be tightly pressed, but not crushed into a βpancakeβ, otherwise it will quickly dry and crack.
β οΈ Warning: Never walk on a mounted polycarbonate or profnatile without special stairs. This will lead to irreversible deformation of the sheets and violation of the tightness of the coating.
When installing polycarbonate, be sure to glue the upper ends of the sheets with aluminum tape, and the lower ones with perforated tape. This will prevent dust and moisture from entering the cells, which preserves transparency and thermal insulation.
The organization of the drain is a prerequisite. Water running off the canopy should not erode the foundation of the garage or form an ice crust at the entrance. Set the chute on the lower edge of the ramp and drain water through a vertical pipe into a storm drain or drainage ditch at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the structure.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Often, home craftsmen neglect the calculation of the slope, making the canopy almost flat "for beauty." The minimum slope for effective water flow should be at least 5-7 degrees (about 10 cm of difference per 1 meter of length). Otherwise, you will have to clean snow and debris regularly manually, otherwise moisture will start to seep through the microslits.
Another common mistake is saving on the fastener. The use of conventional black screws instead of galvanized roofing will lead to the fact that after a year the fastener will rust and begin to leave rusty streams on the coating. In addition, the absence of sealing washers under the hats of screws guarantees leaks in the places of attachment.
Insufficient rigidity of the joints can lead to loosening of the structure under the wind. If you feel that the canopy is βwalkingβ, you need to establish additional diagonal connections (slanting) between the poles and farms. This will turn the structure into a rigid spatial framework, resistant to lateral loads.
The main secret of the durability of the canopy is not so much the coating material as the high-quality anti-corrosion protection of the metal frame and the correct angle of the slope for self-cleaning from snow.
How to calculate the number of polycarbonate sheets correctly?
To calculate, divide the total area of the canopy by the usable area of one sheet. It is important to take into account the overlap: when installing polycarbonate through the connecting profile, the overlap is already laid in the width of the profile. If the installation is jointed with sealing, lay 5-10 cm on each joint. Always take a margin of 10-15% for trimming and marriage when cutting.
Do I need to put a carport over the garage?
In most cases, insulation is not required, since the canopy is a cold construction. The main task is waterproofing and snow protection. Insulation makes sense only if under the canopy planned recreation area or workshop, where you spend a lot of time in the winter, but then it is already considered a full-fledged annex with heating.
Can I attach a canopy to the wall of aerated concrete?
Mounting heavy structures directly to aerated concrete is dangerous due to the low bearing capacity of the block to break out. It is necessary to use special chemical anchors or pass through the wall with the installation of metal plates-spreading on the inside. It is best to lean the frame on your own poles, without transferring the load to the wall.