Snow loads Hurley/Ironwood area

jhg

New member
I'm building a sauna at our hunting camp. Building size will be 12 feet wide by 16 feet long. (Suana itself will be 12 feet x 10 feet, outside measurements with the rest of the space for a changing room/shower). I'm having trusses built (6/12 pitch) and installing them 16" oc. Just want to verify what I should look for as far as snow load capcity.
Computer at Menards indicated a 46 psf for that area. Anyone know how I can check to see if it's sufficient, especially for those winters where the snows are heavier than normal?

Thanks.

Jim
 

jhg

New member
I guess the other question I have is whether I should go with 16" oc or 24" oc. I know the
16 oc will give me a greater snowload capacity, but is it overkill?

Thanks.

Jim
 

xsledder

Active member
Check with a local architect. Ask them for the local requirements for roof loads. Or call the gov agency responsible for building permits.
 
I think I would go 16" on center or even 12" with a sauna it will ice up and add weight. I can't think that trusses for a building 12' wide would be all that exspensive. Better safe than sorry, you can add them later. I am a big fan of over building.
 

ezra

Well-known member
go with a standerd truss 16 oc and get a 7/12 0r better pitch put on a steel roof never look back
 

propjockey

New member
16 O.C. roof trusses? Having them made? Whats the point?

Go with conventional 2x6 rafters and ceiling joists on 16" centers instead. Can you get one truss built for the price of two 8' and one 12' 2x6? (what you need in lieu of one truss). Throw a collar tie in every 4' and 1/3 down the length of the rafter, put a metal roof on it (So the snow slides off of it) like ezra said and call it a day.

You will be well within load limits. 10psf "dead load", meaning the weight of the framing/roofing materials and 60psf for the "live load" is more than sufficient for the weight of the snow.

Try not to over-think it. 12' x 16' is pretty small in the grand scale of things. In fact, if you want, boost the framing materials to 2 x 8 if you're more comfortable.

Roof trusses certainly have their place in the world, as in the case of scissor trusses, but they rarely are made exactly the same and are more trouble than they are worth for most applications. Of course, if you are not familiar with how to read rafter tables on a framing square then truss away!

Shoot me an email if you need any help. (Maybe I could use you as a reason to go up north
happy.gif
)


-J-
 

polarisrider1

New member
Call your local building inspector in the area you wish to build. Ask them what the snow load rating for the area is. Have your trusses built for it. Don't wing it. Why throw money away going cheap and it collapses. Do it right or don't do it at all!
 

snobuilder

Well-known member
from what i read yur max. span is 16', and might only be 12', and assuming truss material is 2x4 framing , you can go 24" on center and i'd suggest 5/8" osb roof sheathing for a more solid feel under yur feet when you shingle.
2x6 stick framing 16 oc is also adequate on such small spans.
From the wis. admin. code, uniform dwelling code, Zone 1 which is the northern 1/2 of Wi. requires a 40 psf roof load min.
 
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