A good wind seismic performance and live load is crucial to the design of any type of structure.
It is vital to exercise caution with any builder who might compromise quality and under-construct any structure by opting to use "inferior" building materials or using any building materials in ways they were not designed, nor engineered, and never intended to be used in that manner.
Don't get deceived. There are builders out here that defying product engineering standards... These guys are willing to build a jacked-up carport or patio cover structure and use inferior parts and hang their customers out to dry in a precarious situation!
The poles and the beams are the single most important parts of any structures. The framework serves as the backbone of the structure, bearing the brunt of the loads. When considering the impact of snow, ice, wind, and live load requirements.
All construction materials must adhere to their specific standards and engineering guidelines, fulfilling their intended purpose without surpassing their design limitations is paramount to the longevity of any structure.
Additionally, caution is advised regarding unverified claims about wind load capacity as they are using building products outside its "intended purpose" constitutes an inferior jacked-up "Crap work" and that is saying it nicely.
However, this occurs more frequently than one might expect, primarily by a cut rate inexperienced builders that wishes to present the end user customer with the lowest possible price rather than taking the time to explain why it is beneficial to build a stronger canopy and build to the code requirements of today's modern building standards of today.
All Structures is limited by its weakest link!
Columns or poles are specifically engineered to bear the vertical structural loads, while the cross beams are designed and engineered to handle the horizontal structural loads. Understanding the just fundamental difference is vital in the design and the construction of any structure. Although the cheaper rolled formed steel poles design may enhance its vertical load bearing, it does not offer reinforcement against the horizontal forces. Opting for a more robust thicker beam design is invariably a much better choice. This is similar or akin to using a 2x6 instead of the necessary 2x10 wooden beam in a wooden structure's building specifications. It is weak and ill advised...
A structure may function well initially, but it's true resilience is tested when it is subjected to stress and when it is put under load due to high winds or snow and ice loads. That using rolled formed pole used as a fake beam that has a seam within it that run though-out that pole which can come apart and buckle and the whole structure can fail because of its use.
As the "open span" or the more distance between support columns or poles in a structure is increases, the need for adequately reinforced "structural beam(s) becomes increasingly critical. The wider the "open spans" and the taller the canopy, the more susceptible it is to winds attempting to lift or cause uplift to the structure by winds that are trapped under that structure. It is crucial that any structure is built to withstand the loads that the structure might face.
The ultimate test of a structure's resilience is its ability to withstand the accumulation of heavy snow and/or ice. Ultimately, the stability of the structure is upheld by the poles and its beams as that is the part of the structure that does all the heavy lifting.
Choosing authentically designed and engineered structural beams, despite their higher cost compared to less expensive, lower-quality construction materials, offers enhanced strength and greater long-term structural integrity.
We consistently advise our customers to invest a bit more for a well-designed and properly constructed project, emphasizing the use of a correct and solid header beam, rather than cutting corners.
It is crucial for withstanding the higher wind loads commonly experienced within our region
that can experience a really high winds events that might exceed 80-100 mph plus winds.
(See pic above which is building framed damaged during construction by high winds)
Opting to use a cheaper low cost, roll-formed, light-gauge steel column or pole. A building product that is never designed for use as a horizontal structural cross beam use can compromise the integrity of that structure. This is just a cheap way of showing the customer a cheaper price on your project bid instead of just taking the time to educate the customer about the benefits of using much stronger and proper supports beams and poles that are designed to do all the heavy lifting and supports the structure under loads such as higher wind loads and the additional weight of snow and ice.
The pole of which they typically use was never designed, nor it shouldn't be used as a beam by today's higher building codes and standards. That building product was never designed nor engineered to be used for that purpose, so it doesn't meet any building codes whatsoever. It is a what is called a lock seam pole and not a beam plus it rolled form flat stock and that poles have a seam that runs throughout the pole. It designed with bends within that poles to make that pole stronger. Plus, it is a rolled formed steel post, which can rust, and it is not an more expense extruded aluminum 1/8-inch-thick beam and pole.
A contractors must be knowledgeable about building codes and permit requirements and must not intentionally deviate from them and build just anything!
Do it correctly the first time, and you won't have to worry about doing it over.
What has to happen before we build?
Residential Construction
We understand how important it is to build a home that’s both beautiful and functional. Our team works closely with you to bring your vision to life smoothly, without hiccups, delays, or unnecessary stress. That’s why it’s important to be ready for construction crews to be on your property.
Agreements
We require a signed agreement before starting any work at the site. A written bid proposal can serve as an agreement in principle for the price and services to be provided. Depending on the project’s size and turnaround time, we may ask for an agreed-upon down payment, as well as procurement and progress payments. Special ordered materials require a down payment.
Add-On products and services to the original agreements - No problems we love add-ons.
All project add-on products and or services can be added to the original agreement in a form a agreement add-on contact rider agreement. A customer may be asked to schedule any additional services to the original agreements at a later date.
Project Management and Building Permits
We have been doing this type of work for a long time and we see numerous different job sites at numerous different locations. Each Municipalities may have their own set of rules and build permits. It is the customers ultimate responsibilities to find out and know what is required before building on their own build site. If a build permit is required, we can offer additional professional services to help acquire the building permits required on the customers behave. Note there is cost of the permit plus the additional service cost of obtaining the building permits on the customer behave. Most require a job site drawing and a visit to local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) location. This services and its associated costs must be paid upfront when required. The customer is always welcome to do their own leg work and obtain their own build permits.
Pets removed and the Animal poop should be removed from the area leading up to the work
We specialize in designing modern, functional buildings that our clients’ needs and preferences. If we’re scheduled to work on your property, please clean up after your pets—no one likes stepping in animal waste. If needed, we can connect you with a third-party contractor who offers this service; just let us know, and we’ll be happy to share their contact details.
Underground Utility's locations
Before starting any excavation, it’s important to locate and mark underground utilities. You can use the Call Okie (811) service for help with this. It’s ultimately the customer’s job to make sure there aren’t any underground obstructions. We’re not liable for hitting any unexpected underground obstacles, so if there’s anything in the area where we’ll be working, we need to know ahead of time and before construction begins. exist and we are operating in that vicinity, we must be informed upfront and before construction is to take place.
Sprinkler Systems
We specialize in construction, and marking the locations of sprinkler systems is key to avoiding them whenever possible. We understand this isn’t always doable, so having clear mutual agreement and understanding is important.
Trash
Regular trash is bagged and left on-site for standard pickup unless our agreement specifically includes disposal. For bigger items or old structures that need to be removed from the job site, haul-off and dump fees apply. Sometimes, we place these items by the curb for heavy trash day or arrange for a scrapper to pick them up.
Pictures -
All photos taken at the jobsite are the sole property of A Better Construction DBA Carports and Patio Covers of Oklahoma, and we retain all rights to them. If you’d prefer we not take any photos, just let us know ahead of time. We’re flexible and happy to respect your wishes.
Being on-site during construction is not obligatory, but it is recommended, as unexpected decisions may need to be made that require immediate discussion. It is crucial to have your cell phone number available so that we can reach you quickly if any issues arise.
Building Permits
Rules and Regulations -
A lot of miss information on this subject. Do your leg work and find out before hiring anyone.
Altering the existing footprint of your home always requires a building permit. This is necessary for various modifications, including room additions, garage expansions, carports, patio covers, most outdoor decks, and fences. The original structure of your home was designed to support specific loads, distributed through walls and other elements based on the initial design. Any changes to the structural calculations can impact the entire structure. Most Cities do have a size limit on what size the structure might be.
If a DIY enthusiast or a contractor does not secure a building permit, the work may be halted. If the work is completed, the owner is responsible for obtaining the correct building permit. Building permits are essential for public safety, ensuring safe construction and compliance with engineering specifications and building codes.
Contractors are obligated to be familiar with building codes and build permit requirements and must not "intentionally deviate" from them... It is always wise to do a little leg work and call your local building inspectors to find out for sure if a building permit is required.
Code requirements are often updated periodically, and the forthcoming international building codes (IBC) will rectify these outdated standards of 90 mph wind loads by raising the wind load requirement to 115 mph upon adoption of the 2018 IBC.
A building permit is generally required, particularly for construction within the majority of city jurisdictions. Permits are essential for constructing, altering, repairing, enlarging, moving, or demolishing any primary or accessory structure. The permitting process guarantees that construction complies with safety, stability, and current minimum building code requirements.
Adhering to all necessary building codes is essential for safety.
Please allocate time for the permit application process. Most permits take about a week for review, so it's necessary to prepare a drawing and a building materials submission package to leave at City Hall for the inspectors' examination. Should they need clarification, they will contact us. A building engineer or inspector may offer suggestions and has the authority to approve or reject any application. Be informed that our expedited building permit service comes with additional fees. These fees compensate for the efforts to secure a building permit on behalf of the customer. The fee varies with the project's complexity; more complex projects incur higher fees for permit acquisition assistance. For projects that go beyond a simple building permit application, engaging additional professionals may be required, allowing us to focus on the construction.
While Oklahoma State establishes basic building codes for safety, local jurisdictions may implement stricter or modified regulations. Generally, the more localized the governing body, the more rigorous the codes, although certain circumstances may necessitate further provisions. Building permits are essential for ensuring adherence to the latest and most relevant codes, with a focus on safety. Meeting at least the minimum code standards is vital. Nonetheless, some clients may opt to surpass these standards, considering that certain codes, such as the 90-mph wind load requirement, are considered obsolete for our region. Given that our area often encounters storms with winds exceeding these minimum limits, reinforcing structures with larger poles and engineered beams is advisable to endure such intense winds. Customers are always permitted to exceed the minimal building code requirements and construct more robust structures if they choose to do so.
We offer additional services such as handling the building permit application fee on behalf of the customer, but we cannot guarantee the outcome of the permit application. Typically, we must prepare a drawing of the property, indicating the location of the proposed addition, and compile a review process submission package. This allows authorities to verify that the building materials used comply with building code requirements and that all procedures are properly followed. The permit process can be complex and time-consuming, depending on the reviewing authority's workload. It is no longer a simple walk-in, walk-out process to obtain building permit approval as it might have been in bygone eras. We must submit our package and await its review process to take place. If the building inspector has questions, they may contact us for discussion. They may also request changes to the project. After addressing any concerns, we typically receive authorization to pick up the approved permit and proceed. Nowadays, we often have to pay the bid application fees upfront, despite the possibility of the application being declined for various reasons. Therefore, we require payment for this service in advance. There has been only an instance of a complete application denial, which occurred because the property owner was not aware of high-pressure gas pipelines buried in their front yard, making it impossible to build in that area so we lost our build permit application fee. The neighbors across the street had a carport but on their side of the street in that same area so there was no obvious sign that they would be restricted but we got shot down on the project we were proposing to build and what they could build was so small the customer declined to move forward.
Homeowners Association (HOA) rules.
When you buy a home in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association (HOA), you agree to follow their rules. These rules can vary a lot between communities, so it’s always a good idea to review your HOA’s governing documents and check with your local HOA reps before starting any construction. The main rulebook, called the CC&Rs (Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions), covers everything from maintenance standards to approved curtain colors. HOA rules are legally binding, and breaking them can lead to fines, legal action, or even having to remove a patio at your own cost. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to understand the guidelines and get approval for any changes to their outdoor spaces.
- Approval Process: Most HOAs require written architectural approval for any exterior changes, including modifications to roofing and patios. Homeowners should submit detailed plans, including blueprints, materials lists, and construction details for review by the HOA board or architectural committee. The approval process ensures that the proposed patio roof aligns with the HOA's aesthetic and architectural standards.
- Size, Height, and Color Restrictions: HOAs often have guidelines that restrict the size, height, and color of patio covers. These restrictions are in place to maintain uniformity and uphold community standards. It is important to review the HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions documents before finalizing any plans for your patio roof.
- Structural Requirements: Some HOAs may have specific requirements for the structure of the patio roof. For example, in Maricopa County, patio covers must have a minimum slope of ¼ inch per foot. It is important to review the local HOA rules to ensure your patio roof structure complies with all relevant standards.
- Timeline and Neighbor Approval: For larger projects that may cause a nuisance, HOAs might require homeowners to obtain signatures of approval from their neighbors. Homeowners may also need to provide a timeline and estimated completion date for the project, sticking to the schedule as much as possible.
- Safety and Electrical Work: If your project involve significant electrical work, additional permits and inspections may be required. HOAs aim to ensure the safety of residents, so it is important to follow all relevant safety standards and obtain the necessary approvals for electrical installations.
- Maintenance and Repair: Homeowners are typically responsible for maintaining and repairing their patio roofs to keep them in good condition. This includes regular upkeep and ensuring that the structure remains compliant with HOA guidelines over time.
The customer is always reasonable to notify the contractor that they do have a HOA and to do their own leg work to find out of what the requirement might be. We need to know if you have an HOA upfront.
What you type of building do you need?
Engineered, Pre-Engineered or a Non-Engineered Structures?
The goal is to ensure optimal performance and safety of any structure.
There are essentially three distinct types of buildings. A canopy-style structure is similar to most structures, except that many do not include walls. Canopy structures serve a variety of purposes, including break areas, carports, patio covers, pavilions, product storage covers, sidewalk coverings, entrance covers, and strip mall structures, all intended to provide protection for people and their vehicles.
Any and all of the building materials has their own limits to how they are used safely to cover a canopy open span area or between any structure poles. The stress to any structure can come from many forms but normally come from wind, snow. earthquake or shafting of the dirt soil.
Snow load refers to the amount of "snow and ice" weight per sq ft (PSF) that a building's roof is able to support.
Wind loads refer to the amount of force the winds put on any type of structure and in a canopy type of application we talk about up-drafts or down-drafts winds. or earth quicks and shifting soils.
Dead load is the weight of the building by itself. If you exceed any building materials limits the structure may collapse or fail while under stress which normally comes during a server weather event. Live load is the structure with all the furniture and people that might be inside of the structure.
Non-engineered structure that are not specifically engineered for a particular design criteria. This might use by a builder that is going down to a local building materials yard picking up the building components that is needed to fabricate and then building a structure without any plans, blueprints or documents to say that structure meets any engineering or design standards.
Non-engineered building design processes do not account for component loads or actual component strengths. In the middle lies a partially engineered structure which is a NON-ENEEREDERED type of structure there are no gray areas. Most residential type of structures fall under this classification, but we are seeing more and more municipalities that are requiring a certified Pre-engineered type of structure to be built.
Pre-Engineered Structure is a structure that is manufacturer design and fabricate to meet certain specifications and building codes and load requirements from the manufacture. While purchasing this type of building structure is an easy way to ensure compliance to your building meets code without hiring a structural design engineer. The manufacture does its own testing and design so it the structure is built correctly it will perform to its own the engineering standards. It also provides you with numerous options for customization, meaning you can modify multiple aspects of your building based on you or your unique wants and needs.
Engineered buildings - Structural engineering is a specialty trained person in structural engineering that analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of the end users and its occupants.
A Professional structural design engineer is able to stamp the structure blueprints plans within their own State approval seal stamps certifying that the structure design achieves design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of the end users and its occupants are safe.
Each State has their own rules and regulation and a design from another and are not excepted within another State. Critical skills and ongoing training a person need in structural engineering for a particular design criteria, blueprints or documents to say that structure meets any engineering standards. They need to be able to predict how these materials will perform over an extended period of time and while under stress or load.
Normal stress come from heavy rains, ice / snow loads, and high wind loads as well as earthquakes and soil movements. A fully engineered building is one in which all structural component interactions are properly accounted for during structural analyses, and forces resulting from these analyses are used to size all building components.
On larger structures a local municipality might need to see architectural blueprints and its own engineering spec with a submittal package on all of the structure combined building components before approving with a building permit. Those are additional professional services which has cost associated with then before the construction can begin. There are select few local building material suppliers that has an engineer personnel on staff and can show their own engineering certifications on their own designs when built properly.
We also work with some product manufacturer and all of their own canopy designs are pre-engineered and have the company engineers' stamp blueprint are on their manufacturer design documents and can be supplied when and if needed. We can't build a non-engineered canopy structure then get that structured engineered after the fact it is built. This has to know upfront and before the structure is built.
The real test of any structure is when they are stressed!
Building codes are the construction industry's guidelines, setting the minimum standards to ensure structures are safe and functional. These codes outline the simplest construction methods, allowing builders of all skill levels to avoid major errors and meet essential safety and quality standards. Thus, even novices can erect buildings that are sturdy and safe. Yet, experienced builders often go beyond these basic requirements, understanding that the minimum isn't always sufficient for long-term excellence in quality, design, and performance. They choose better materials, apply smarter building techniques, and add distinctive features not found in standard codes. These advanced practices may not be specified in the building codes, which is where the role of inspectors becomes critical. Skilled inspectors can recognize when builders use superior methods and approve them, even if they're not detailed in the codebook. This interaction is particularly noticeable in areas with a reputation for luxury, custom homes. In conclusion, while building codes are essential for basic safety and quality, they cannot replace the expertise and judgment needed for superior construction. The best buildings are often created by those who follow the rules but also know when and how to surpass them for exceptional results.
What Is Structural Engineering?
It is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering depends upon a detailed knowledge of applied mechanics, materials science and applied mathematics to understand and predict how structures support and resist self-weight and imposed loads. To apply the knowledge successfully a Structural engineering generally requires detailed knowledge of relevant empirical and theoretical design codes, the techniques of structural analysis, as well as some knowledge of the corrosion resistance of the materials and structures, especially when those structures are exposed to the external environment.
Carports and Patio covers of OK builds permanent structures.
We are wood / metal frame carpenters by trade, and we are also specialty metal contractors that builds all types of high-quality canopies and awnings for residential and commercial applications.
Carports & Patio Covers of Oklahoma
Builds all types of high-quality canopies that are custom built to our customers wants, needs and of course even a millionaire has a budget. We can build out of wood or metal (steel & aluminum) and other building products. All building materials are available in different sizes and thicknesses.
Outdoor living spaces are quickly becoming popular for entertaining and relaxation and even cooking.
Increasingly, people are turning to the outdoors to extend their living spaces, bringing indoor comforts to the open air by creating versatile outdoor areas that serve as home extensions, a trend that's very popular today.
Before providing a bid proposal, we must schedule an appointment and visit each project site. Working with us, you can interact directly with the builder, avoiding the high markups, overhead, and substantial sales commissions of middlemen. If you're seeking to construct a patio cover, you're in the right place.
We offer style and beauty solutions, whether you need shelter from the sun, protection from the rain, or simply wish to step outside for a breath of fresh air!
A well-designed patio cover is an attractive design element that enhances the style of your home.
There is a huge movement towards individualizing your outdoor living space!
Patio covers provide a range of options for shade, relaxation, entertainment, and dining. Adding patio space is ideal for protecting outdoor furniture, hot tubs, and other features. These canopies can also significantly reduce the heat in your home, leading to energy savings and cooler summer indoor temperatures.
We offer the latest patio building products and color options available in the industry. Our expertise extends to constructing various structures, including pergolas, arbors, pavilions, screen rooms, and sunrooms.
We utilize traditional building materials and also present more advanced options. We encourage you to explore all available options before construction begins. We pride ourselves on staying abreast of the latest trends and building options in the industry.
Not only do we custom build structures, but we are also dealers of select few product lines offering the industry has to offer.
Outdoor patio covers vary in shape, style, size, material, and price. ABC has been crafting extraordinary structures since 1982, for over three decades. We are your locally trusted builder and contractor.
The difference between a canopy and an awning lies in their structure. A canopy is supported by legs or poles, while an awning is mounted and extends from the side of a structure without legs.
Both canopies and awnings are constructed and covered with a variety of building materials.
Add more value and useful living space to your home with a patio cover, arbor, pergola or a pavilion!
Creating an outdoor living area is a recent trend that provides more benefits than immediately apparent, potentially increasing your property's value. It also adds additional functional square footage and mitigates the interior heat during summer by offering shade under a patio cover.
Determining where to place the patio cover and the dimensions to construct are the initial steps in building a patio cover. The most significant decision involves selecting the type of building materials, which is often influenced by the budget. Each material comes with its own cost considerations.
Explore our website to discover options that appeal to you. If you don't find what you're searching for, please inform us. Should you encounter an image of a design you wish to bring to life, that's fantastic; let's examine it and determine what is required to construct it.
Give your old patio and new face lift!
You might notice that all of our patio cover projects pictured has a larger design header cross beam that runs across the canopy poles for structure strength. That serves the purpose of support so when the structure is put under stress due to high wind loads and snow / ice the structure is able to perform well and withstands the loads it might encounter. We fight with other builders who want to to build inferior structures using building products that was never designed nor engineered that they are using it for just to show the customer a cheaper bid price.
Never let any contractor just plop a patio cover up on your roof for several reasons.
This is what happens when you take the cheapest bid or use unskilled labor.
Every building components has its own specific limits for its intended use safely. In this case you can see that they exceeded the frame’s engineering specifications and open span limits, causing it to buckle like a thin soda can. To support the required 20 pounds per square inch live load, a pole was required every 10 feet of projection. This carport should have had a pole in the middle of this carport, but instead, they exceeded the open span by two and a half times its limits, reaching a total of 25 feet long.
All building codes are a minimal building code requirement. Anyone can always build heavier and stronger. In this case they also left off the top canopy side trim pieces and the front trim covering as well making it a real down and dirty carport that only lasted just three days.
Quality First
We deliver exceptional results in everything we do, ensuring your satisfaction at every step.
Expert Care
Our experienced team brings skill and passion to every project, no matter the size.
Real Results
Proven outcomes that speak for themselves and make a meaningful difference for your residents or commercial applications.
It Summer, Time to beat the heat sale.
If you got a project and you want to get the good stuff cheaper then give us a chance to bid the project and save. We don't just one type, one size, one size, one design we build them all. Call us today and save!