Sizing of Beams in Glazed Conservatory

[Mattaz]

I am planning to build a glass house and need help figuring out the dimensions of a couple of beams. In the images below, you can see some sketches I've made of how it should approximately look. The sketches are not complete and lack, for example, rafters for the polycarbonate roof. Here's how my thoughts have gone:

• Part of the room's roof consists of the existing roof overhang. The length from where the house's roof ends to the outer wall where beam D is, is 1700mm.
• I would prefer to avoid column C. But if the dimensions for beams A and D become too large, I will have to live with it.
• Beam A spans the entire width of the sunroom. Free from the existing roof. I planned to attach the rafters for the polycarbonate roof in it.
• The polycarbonate roof goes in just under the house's roof and ends at the beam where the house roof is. Where there is no house roof, it extends over the beam to the back edge.
• Beam/rafter B is anchored to the house's wall (concrete) to offload beam A.
• As I have limited ceiling height where the house's roof ends, I am keen on as low beams as possible.
• I am not against building the frame in steel. 120x120x5 KKR should work as columns. If the overhead beams could be 120x???x?, it would be perfect. Beam A could also preferably be in KKR or VKR.
• Snow load zone 2.0

So, in summary, I need help calculating beams A and D. Either in glulam or steel. I hope there is someone who can help me with that

 

[Mattaz]

I clarify my question with a sketch. I hope someone can help me figure out what beams I need.

 

[dwd]

I don't have the answer to your question, but depending on the municipality and if a building permit is required, it may also become relevant to have K-drawings. I have an ongoing building permit with the municipality for a conservatory, and the municipality requires a statement from a designer certifying that the construction is adequate. Check with your municipality because if you need a certificate for your self-designed construction, it might be a good idea to contact a designer already in the design phase.

 

[Mattaz]

Ok, thanks for the tip!

 

[scorp1on]

Do you still need help?

 

[Mattaz]

Thanks for asking, but I consulted an engineer who calculated it.

 

[scorp1on]

Thank them for asking, but I got help from an engineer who calculated it.

May I ask what it cost you to get help from the engineer?

 

[Mattaz]

I obtained several quotes ranging from 4,500:- to 30,000:-. I chose one of the lower-priced options. Spontaneously, it feels quite expensive just to calculate a couple of beams. They probably just input the numbers into a construction program that calculates it. But you have to know what you're doing, and I didn't have the energy to delve into everything.

 

[scorp1on]

I also think it sounds expensive. Even if they don't use any program or ready-made Excel sheets, it shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours to understand the problem and perform the calculation, which is quite simple. But thanks, now I know.