I am wondering if the end of rafters can support a bit of weight.
I will be installing an 18' long motorized awning on my back porch. approx 130lbs.
I will be installing it under the current soffit. After some surveying, i will most likely cut rectangular holes in the soffit right where I want to attach the awning to the house.
It appears that the easiest point of attachment would at the end of the rafters.
The awning has 10 attachment points. So I will cut 10 holes along each mounting point, shim it approx 1/2-1", and install the awning with lag bolts after drilling pilot holes.
I've never drilled into the end piece of any wood like this before, so I am just wondering if it will be ok.
The rafter ends are not suited to doing as you describe.
I would look for some saddle hangers to bolt through the rafters with to attach to more of the rafter.
I call them saddle hangers, but that might not be a proper name.
These hangers would slip up over the rafters and have about 6 inches or so of grip on each side of the rafter with through bolts clamping them solidly, then a part hanging down that is designed to attach your awning to, at all ten points.
My only problem with that is I would probably have to remove all the soffit to properly attach the hangers. The Fascia is wood, and I'm not sure which end should come out first as I've never done this sort of thing.
Maybe those Joists you see in the 2nd pic might work. The awning will just have to sit slightly further back...I'd just need to check if they are 16" apart or not tomorrow.
Directions just aren't too clear. It just says you should attach it to the rafters. And if your rafters are exposed, then use a hanger like Ed suggested.
I just took another look. I think the soffit is vinyl. Are vinyl soffits not screwed in? can i just start yanking them out without damage?
Any I've installed are nailed in with roofing nails.
Never once seem an awning hung from the raters like that. Going to make reinstalling the soffits a nightmare.
Most are installed on the wall.
I might actually just do half/half. Since the manufacturer states I can hang it at the end of the rafter, but then the advice here has been not to, I might just put up 2x4's at 4 of the 10 mounting points.
haha. Aww...I'm just worried cause I have to sit under this thing. But you are probably right. Especially since I have written e-mails correspondence with them that attaching to the end of the rafter is ok.
As long as you're attaching to solid wood and following the specs you'll be fine.
Now if your fascia and/or rafter tails are rotted (soft) then you would obviously need to make those repairs first to ensure that you have structurally sound material to attach to.
Use a bead of PL construction adhesive between the two 2X4s , this will make them one.
ED
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