The following is a summary of sunroom-related terms provided courtesy of the National Sunroom Association. Click Here for the official publication provided by the NSA, reprinted here for informational purposes. The terminology information encompasses many common terms used in the sunroom industry. You will note that some terms are cross-referenced to a “primary” …
Wind Exposure Category Overview ASCE-7 is the governing referenced standard for design loads on buildings & other structures for building codes throughout the US. ASCE 7 (26.7 of ASCE 7-16) describes the process to which wind speed is converted into wind pressure to design such structures. The formula is based on many variables. One of …
ASCE 7 WIND EXPOSURE CATEGORIES AND HOW EXPOSURE ‘D’ WORKS Read More »
READ BELOW BEFORE USING NON SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONSFROM ENGINEERING EXPRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT General Information About Non Site-Specific Plans: Certified Performance Evaluations (also referred to as Master Plans, Generic, or Non Site-Specific Plans) you receive contain a physical or digitally certified engineer seal. They are intended to be used to assist in obtaining a building …
How To Use Master Plans – TER’s – Calculator Reports Purchased From Engineering Express Read More »
How do you get from a T5 to T6 temper? Heat treatment is done by raising the alloy temperature to about 980 degrees F and holding it there for about an hour. The purpose of this is to dissolve all the alloying elements in a solid solution in the aluminum. Then the alloy is quenched …
What’s the difference between aluminum T5 and T6 temper (like 6063-T5 vs 6063-T6 alloy)? Read More »
Sunrooms across the US are categorized into 5 categories. AAMA published these in their AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100-12 publication which made its way into the Florida & International Building Codes. FBC (17, 20) lists this in Chapter 20 section 2002.6 directly siting the AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100 spec. IBC 2015/2018 References AAMA 2100 in IRC Chapter 44 Please refer …
When an anchor is installed into concrete, there is an area surrounding the anchor called a cone of influence in which the anchor is affecting and it is affected by. When two anchors are spaced too closely to one another and/or too closely to an edge, the anchor’s cone of influence reduces or becomes interfered …
Why are spacing, edge distance, and embedment important for concrete anchors? Read More »
Canopies & Wind Understand this – A backyard canopy attached to the back of your house, a pergola/trellis, or a lightweight sunroom/screen room comprise of relatively very little weight and is of lesser construction than the structure to which they are attached. Also, consider that a wall of a house continuously supports a roof, …
How To Determine Uplift Reactions For Canopies-Carports-Pergolas Read More »
Here’s a description and illustrations we’ve created for footing types we frequently reference in our work for sunrooms, pergolas, carports, screen rooms, signs, and similar at-grade building component structures. Photos of each appear below. An isolated footing is used to support a single post. Isolated footings are independent footings which are provided for each …
CHECKLIST OF DESIGN ITEMS NEEDED FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS, PERGOLAS & SUNROOMS Engineering Express provides signed & sealed design plans for various types of screened enclosures, sunrooms, & open / enclosed patios attached to the main residence or freestanding. Please review the starter list – checklist below & make sure you complete …
CHECKLIST FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS – SUNROOMS Read More »
From the 5th, 6th &7th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2014, 2017, 2020) section 1603.1.4 as well as from section 1603.1.4. of the 2012, 2015, & 2018 International Building Code, construction documents shall show the following: Ultimate design wind speed, Vult (3-second gust), miles per hour and nominal design wind speed (Vasd) as …
What wind information is required for construction documents? Read More »
ASCE 7-16 is introduced into the 2018 International Building Code and 7th Edition Florida Building Code (2020) as the new referenced standard for wind design. This standard introduced an enhanced section for the conversion of wind velocities to roof wind pressures for roof components attached to buildings and freestanding structures such as sunrooms, overhead canopies, …
Wind Speed to Wind Pressure For Sunrooms – Canopies – Pergolas Using ASCE 7-16 Read More »
Glossary of Building Component Engineering Terms & Abbreviations These terms are published by Engineering Express to coincide with help menus for our online tools & published articles and as they relate to the Building Component Design industry. See also our FLOOD ENGINEERING GLOSSARY for more terms related to flood engineering. See Also SUNROOM TERMINOLOGY for …
Overview Metal fastening is designed per the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC): Specification for Structural Steel Buildings in conjunction with the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA): TIR-A9-14 Design Guide for Metal Cladding Fasteners. Types The two most common types of fastener threads used in construction are Unified Coarse Thread (UNC) more …
Many don’t understand how wind works & state that a product is rated to a specific wind speed. This is false advertising & not true. There’s no such thing as “Rated to XXX MPH wind” This is frequently seen in marketing materials which is a false & misleading statement that comes with many unwritten …
Tek® screws have become an essential tool in construction and manufacturing, valued for their self-drilling capabilities that simplify a variety of projects. These screws eliminate the need for pre-drilling, saving time and effort while ensuring strong, reliable connections. Ideal for applications like metal roofing and steel framing, Tek® screws deliver durable, high-performance results, making them …
TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) – About – Sizes – Gauges Read More »
We’re frequently asked by our clients where they can purchase many of the products specified in our plans. Below is a growing list of products1 for your reference. FEATURING PRODUCTS BY: CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FIND THE PRODUCT(S) YOU ARE LOOKING FOR: General Extrusions Eastern Metal Supply Standard Extrusion & Sheet Products Eastern …
