Stratco VERANDAH & CARPORT User manual

VERANDAH & CARPORT
STRATCO DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS.
Your guide to assembling a Stratco
Universal Verandah and Carport.
The addition of a verandah or carport adds so much to the comfort, appearance and value of your home.
Installation can be easy - all it takes is some careful design and pre-planning.
This brochure will give you the basic techniques required for assembly. Further advice is available from
Stratco.
The Stratco Universal system is engineered for maximum strength and the components will allow
complete flexibility in design.
The friendly, experienced staff at Stratco will welcome the opportunity to assist with practical advice and
handy tips.
▫ COMPONENTS ▫ COUNCIL APPROVAL
▫ BEFORE YOU START ▫ ACCESSORIES
▫ SITE PREPARATION ▫ ASSEMBLY
▫ MAINTENANCE
A. ROOF DECKING
C. V.F. GUTTERS
E. DOWNPIPES
G. POSTS
B. FASCIA TRUSS
D. BACK CHANNEL & B.I.P.
F. INTERMEDIATE POST
H. MINOR ACCESSORIES
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE: COMPONENTS
FIG. 1. VERANDAH & CARPORT
COMPONENTS
STANDARD FOOTING DETAIL

It is important to check with your Local Government Authority prior to installation of your new carport or verandah.
Read these instructions thoroughly before starting your project and refer to them constantly during each stage of construction. If you
have any questions our friendly expert staff will gladly answer them.
Before starting work, lay out the framework components in order of assembly on the ground and check them off against the Stratco
delivery note. Figure 1 shows the relative location of most of the components.
The sectional views in figures 2, 3 and, 4 will give you a good idea of how some of the components will look fully assembled.
Check a length of decking against your framework which you have laid out on the ground. The decking should overhang the truss
(into the gutter) by approximately 50mm. If necessary, cut the trusses to size at this stage. Pre-drill the trusses to line up with the
plates on the posts.
Remember, always measure twice before cutting or drilling and always remove drill filings ('swarf’) which otherwise can cause
premature rusting.
COUNCIL APPROVAL
BEFORE YOU START
These may be purchased from Stratco if you do not already have them available.
It is advantageous to clear and level the site prior to assembling your verandah or carport.
This makes for easy access when using ladders and extension cords.
ACCESSORIES
SITE PREPARATION
THE BACK CHANNEL
The first stage of construction is to attach the back channel to
the fascia or wall. If more than one length of back channel is to
be used, they just butt together. The first fixing must be no more
than 100mm from the end of each length of the back channel.
The remainder of fixings between must be no more than
600mm apart. It is advisable to pre-drill the back channel on the
ground. Run a bead of silicone along the back of the back
channel to seal the gap between it and the fascia or wall.
For fastening to a timber fascia use 6mm x 32mm coach screws
at 500mm centres. If fastening to brickwork use 6mm x 50mm
masonry anchors at 500mm centres.
Flat and rebate steel fascias require 10 x 16 Teks® screws and
alternate rivets at 250mm centres. A special cover channel may
also be needed for Clickform fascias.
Once the back channel is secured, run another bead of silicone
along the top joint of the back channel and wall or fascia.
ASSEMBLING THE FRAMEWORK
FIG. 2: FASCIA
DETAIL FIG. 3: BACK
CHANNEL DETAIL FIG. 4: WALL DETAIL

THE TRUSS FRAMEWORK
Support the front truss on adjustable
construction props at the approximate
height required. Allow for a slight fall to the
end of the truss/gutter where the downpipe
is to be located. Because the gutter fits into
the truss it relies on the truss for its fall.
Now attach the side trusses to the wall or
fascia and temporarily support (with an
adjustable construction prop) - but do not
attach at the front end (see Figure 5).
The side trusses need to be the same pitch
as is recommended for the decking. In the
case of Prodek and Topdek this is 1
0
. For
every metre of deck the truss must fall a
minimum of 20mm.
Dig the post holes and attach the posts to
the front and side trusses (see Figure 6).
The posts are not to be concreted in at this
stage. Your basic framework should now be
assembled as shown in Figure 7. Check your basic framework for
FIG. 7: BASIC
FRAMEWORK
squareness by ensuring that the diagonal measurements (A to
C and B to D) are the same.
FIG. 5: SETTING UP FRAMEWORK
FIG. 6: CORNER
CONNECTION

INTERMEDIATE BEAMS
ATTACHING GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES
ATTACHING THE DECKING
If intermediate beams are required, they should be attached at
this stage. Generally beams should be evenly spaced for best
appearance. Stratco can advise on maximum beam spacings for
your application. Avoid placing beams over window or door
openings. Also see Figures 8-10. Once the framework is
complete, check that the falls are correct.
Before attaching any of the guttering to the truss attach stop ends and corner mitres
to the side gutters allowing a minimum overlap of 50mm (see Figure 11), rivet and
silicone. Cut a hole and insert and attach the gutter outlet ('pop') at the required
position.
Firstly fix the front gutter to the front truss temporarily with one rivet every 3 metres.
The additional necessary support for the guttering is provided when the decking is
fastened down with a rivet through the decking, truss and gutter. Now attach the side
sections of gutter with mitres attached to the side trusses and the front section of
gutter.
Make sure that the gutters and roof are totally free of swarf. The downpipe is not
attached at this stage because the posts are not yet fixed in their final vertical
position.
Insert the bitumen impregnated polyurethane (B.I.P.) roll into the
back channel. Prior to installation the decking should be turned
up at the back channel end, and turned down at the gutter end,
using a turn up/down tool. (see Figure 12).
Ensure that all the sheets of deck are the right way round so
that all their locking ribs or overlaps are on the same side. For
safety and accuracy this can be done while still at ground level.
The overlap of roof sheets should be away from the prevailing
wind.
Mark the back channel and front truss with pencil lines every
1000mm to ensure that when laying the decks you keep them
parallel (usually at 90
0
to the wall). Ensure that the deck is
pushed firmly into the B.I.P. to guarantee correct
weatherproofing.
FIG. 10: JOINT
CONNECTIONS
FIG. 8: INTERMEDIATE BEAM PLAN
FIG. 9:
INTERMEDIATE
BEAM LAYOUT
FIG. 11:
GUTTER
JOINT
FIG. 12:
WEATHERPROOFING
ROOFING

ATTACHING THE DECKING continued...
Fasten the first sheet using two rivets in each
‘pan' (4 for each sheet on each support). The
deck is riveted from underneath through the
back channel and the front from the top through
the deck, truss and gutter (see Figures 13 and
14). Subsequent sheets are clipped to the
previous sheet and riveted.
On units requiring intermediate beams each
deck must be riveted to these beams in the
same manner as to the front truss - namely 4
rivets per sheet. Waterproof each rivet with a
touch of silicone and remember to remove all
swarf as you go.
FINAL FIXINGS - GUTTERS
Gutter straps (Universal Deck Straps) clip into the inside roll of the gutter, and are riveted through the decking into the truss on the
inward, end. Check the alignment of the gutter against the truss (to ensure it is straight and flush) before final fastening to the truss.
POSTS
It is now time to concrete the posts into position. We recommend that you put a half brick under the posts to spread the load and to
reduce movement while the concrete is setting. Check thoroughly with a spirit level before, during and immediately after concreting.
The downpipes can now be attached to the gutter outlets ('pops') and to the posts, using the downpipe straps.
The adjustable construction props should be left in place for at least 2 to 3 days after completion to ensure that the concrete has
set properly.
MAINTENANCE
Failure to maintain a regular maintenance programme may result in a significantly reduced lifespan (refer to the “Selection Use &
Maintenance of Stratco Steel Products" brochure).
Your new verandah or carport should receive a wash and wipe down with a soft broom, mop or sponge as frequently as you should wash
your car to maintain its duco. Washing should occur at least every 6 months and more frequently in coastal or industrial areas. Stratco
steel products which are regularly washed by rain require no additional maintenance.
In corrosive industrial or marine environments, the manufacturer recommends the use of colour steel with a stainless steel base.
Contact Stratco for further details.
FIG. 14: ROOFING TO TRUSS
CONNECTION
FIG. 13: ROOFING TO BACK
CHANNEL CONNECTION