Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Spans for Patio Covering...

Got a question, I'm building a covering for my 10'x15' patio and I am not sure what size of beam to use. I have 4-4"x4" metal posts that will be set around 6" in from the edge of the slab and bolted down. I was thinking about getting some 16'PT lumber for the beams...if my posts are set in 6" then the area between the posts would only span about 14', what size of 2-by would I use for the beam? Could I use a 2x10" or would a 2x12" be the best or would that be overkill? I also plan on using 2x6" for the joists...

Second question...if I wanted to extend the beam out about a foot more on each side of the post, how could I do that if the longest lumber I've seen is 16'...without adding another post in the middle?

This is what I have drawn up so far:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/los7883//covering.jpg

What snow load do you have to meet? What wind load? How big are the footings under the posts? What species of wood are you thinking about using?

Gonna use the pressure treated wood from Lowes...they show it as TOP CHOICE TREATED...as far as the footings, the posts have an 8"x8" plate welded to the bottom, will be anchoring them using 4- 1/2" anchor bolts to the existing 10x15' slab which is about 4-6 inches thick...not sure about snow load, we hardly ever get any snow in texas and if we do its hardly over an inch...as far as wind, quite a bit of tornadoes up here, i woudl think the anchor plates and bolts would be sufficient to keep everything down...

I seriously doubt that the anchor bolts into the pation would provide the lateral support for the roof system. They will surely prevent it from sliding and moving laterally.

You will need some sort of horizontal brace like tying onto an adjacent structure or diagonal braces somewhere. The posts may go over and the roof could still be in one piece.

Dick.