6x6 Titan Post Anchor on Concrete For Patio Cover

by Phil
(Corvalis, OR)

Over my (outside) patio I am going to install a cover, extending 9 horizontal feet from the (outside) wall of my house. The length of the cover will be 24 feet (as measured along the wall).

I will use 4, 6' x 6' cedar posts, one at each end and the other two at 8' intervals. The posts will be between 7' and 8' in height (above the ground level).

I want the cross member to be 6' x 6' cedar, solid or glulam. The posts/cross member will be connected to the wall using 2"x 6" material and the cover material will be Suntuff sheets. A portion of the structure will have no cover at all, but will have the framework.

I wish to use your Titan 6x6 post anchors which will be set onto poured, level concrete bases. The bases will be at or slightly above ground level. I plan to reinforce the concrete bases with crisscrossing rebar.

My questions:

1) Will the titan post anchors, secured by eight screws as has been shown in one of your videos, be able to keep the structure rigid?

2) What depth and width of the poured concrete would be adequate to support the structure?

I am using 6x6 material because, even if the weight of the roof is light, I want to be sure there is no transverse movement of the posts. I am also going to plant vines to grow up the posts and around the uncovered frame material. These vines will be grapes and possibly kiwi fruit plants. These plants will add additional weight to the structure.

Editor's Comments

The short answer to your question is the 6x6 would be more than sufficient to do the job you want and look super.

However, there are some important details you need to consider. Let's dig into this.

Compression Load Performance

The 6x6 post anchor will easily support the weight of the structure you have described. It is similar to a pergola except that one side is securely attached to the house. If you need engineering data on the compression numbers just contact us and you can get a copy for your records.

Depth of Concrete Footings

I am glad you mentioned this because it is critical if you are permanently attaching a structure to your house. It is imperative that the footings never move relative to the foundation of your house.

So you must make sure the underside of the footings are below the deepest known frost depths in your area for your climate. Also you should consider surface area of the footing. At least 12" I would think and if you wish to enlarge it by using a bell footing, go right ahead. This will impose less weight per square foot and be even better for long term stability.

Some Comments About Lateral Stability

You may have noticed that common compression load anchors specifically say they must not be used on free standing posts because they do not provide any lateral load resistance. The top of the post must be tied into a superstructure.

The Titan Post Anchor is a little bit different in the sense that it does have engineering guidelines if you are using if for a residential deck railing which is intended to provide certain lateral resistance. But it to is not intended to provide significant lateral resistance by itself on an 8' free standing post.

That being said it will be far stronger than a common U shaped saddle bracket. But where its extra lateral strength will be noticeable is in this structure as you connect it to the house and if you brace the post and beams or furthermore, provide crisscrossing roof joists.

So most of the rigidity of the structure will come from the way you build it, its geometry. And then because the 6x6 is a great solution for a deck railing you will get more lateral resistance using it than a common saddle bracket.