screened porch construction
 

screened porch construction
my neighbor is having a screened porch added to his house. i found the construction method used by the contractor to be quite different than what i would specify. it appears that the posts (4x4's which look to be about 36" c/c) are toe nailed to the deck. there is a 2x10 placed vertically on the top end of the post and toe nailed. i've never run any calcs for this situation, but i have a hard time believing that it would meet code. to me, the 2x10 would have a tendancy to bend laterally under significant wind. granted there are joists for the ceiling framing that are nailed perpendicular to the 2x10 and rafters to help stiffen the structure, but i wouldn't think the toe nails would be sufficient for this type of structure. has anyone ever run calcs for a situation like this or have any experience with this method of construction?
this does sound real shakey - perhaps a meeting with the contractor to discuss...or you could also have your neighbor call the local building inspector to take a look at it.
sounds like the 2x's will want to fall over, too. i mean toe nailing into the end grain of a 4x isn't going to keep the 2x standing on edge under any appreciable lateral loading from wind on the roof. the term "house of cards" comes to mind.
db
deja moo: i've heard that bs before.