# Adequate Support for Overhang? **URL:** \ **Category:** Structural Inspections\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688 "2010-04-09T21:41:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![krigler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@krigler](https://forum.nachi.org/u/krigler)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/1 "2010-04-09T21:41:03Z")
Hey Guys- I didn’t see any signs that these “posts” weren’t supporting the overhang, but are these adequate supports for it? Thanks. Kenny ![IMG_5559.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/b/c/bc514cafa4001c89160c3637c96ceebfff818576.jpeg) ![IMG_5565l.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/3/1/31a6ad4df9ca555a5699e8f177b9a318f22aea50.jpeg) ![IMG_5566.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/e/9/e9ea76f16c328bb2f790081230165af0be0ec0ff.jpeg) ![IMG_5567l.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/7/9/79762b941bf41053412328b0c3a81b38c82b73d7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mboyett](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mboyett/32/59512_2.png) [@mboyett](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mboyett)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/2 "2010-04-09T22:24:35Z")
See this [older thread](http://www.nachi.org/forum/f16/decorative-columns-40066/?highlight=patio+cover)…pay special attention to post #9. ---
**Author:** ![bhoagland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@bhoagland](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bhoagland)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/3 "2010-04-09T23:12:29Z")
Are we engaging in enginneering services with this? Tread lightly. ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/4 "2010-04-09T23:51:52Z")
[![](https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/productImages/300/a6/a68e5637-4ee4-43ee-bfa0-d600864f8f59_300.jpg) ](https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/productImages/300/a6/a68e5637-4ee4-43ee-bfa0-d600864f8f59_300.jpg) \*\*\*8 Ft. 3 Scroll Flat Column - 2 Columns per Bundle \*\*\* _“Flat & corner configurations, can be used with any rail system for porch or patio overhangs. Not designed for structural support.”_ [![](https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/productImages/300/a4/a4f494df-3a6a-4fee-af9b-7a67ebf58fcd_300.jpg) ](https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/productImages/300/a4/a4f494df-3a6a-4fee-af9b-7a67ebf58fcd_300.jpg) \*\*\*8 Ft. 3S Corner Column - 2 Columns per Bundle \*\*\* _“Decorative 3-S Design Corner Column. Add Beautify To Your Home With This Classic Design. Fits With All Village Ironsmith Railing. Touch Up Painting & Annual Painting Is Recommended. 2 Columns per Bundle”_ These columns can be found at [homedepot.com](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?Ntx=mode%252bmatchallpartial&N=10000003%2B503366%2B90401&Ns=P_Topseller_Sort%257c1&recordCompareList=&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&style=A&rpp=48)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/5 "2010-04-10T00:02:27Z")
I’m with Mike and Marcel on these. From Mike’s link: [http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachments/f16/28888d1243257971-decorative-columns-capture.gif](http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachments/f16/28888d1243257971-decorative-columns-capture.gif) ---
**Author:** ![krigler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@krigler](https://forum.nachi.org/u/krigler)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/6 "2010-04-10T15:11:37Z")
> [@mcyr](#): > > \*\*\*8 Ft. 3 Scroll Flat Column - 2 Columns per Bundle \*\*\* > > _“Flat & corner configurations, can be used with any rail system for porch or patio overhangs. Not designed for structural support.”_ Thanks Guys- “Not designed for structural support” will be the foundation I use for reporting it. A challenge could be how do I know that the ones used in this installation weren’t from a manufacturer that did design them for support. I didn’t see any labeling on them to know where they came from. At any rate, I’ll identify it and if they want to pursue it further with a structural engineer they can do that. Kenny ---
**Author:** ![krigler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@krigler](https://forum.nachi.org/u/krigler)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/7 "2010-04-10T15:13:13Z")
> [@lkage](#): > > I’m with Mike and Marcel on these. > > From Mike’s link: > > [http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachments/f16/28888d1243257971-decorative-columns-capture.gif](http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachments/f16/28888d1243257971-decorative-columns-capture.gif) Boy, that makes me want to go out and buy one of their products! 😉 I wonder if that disclaimer holds up in court? ---
**Author:** ![mboyett](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mboyett/32/59512_2.png) [@mboyett](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mboyett)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/8 "2010-04-10T15:21:21Z")
Kenny, Gilpin (like we agree may or may not be the mfg of the columns in your case) also publishes this working load table. They re-affirm their disclaimer at the top of it. [Decorative Columns Working Loads.pdf](https://forum.nachi.org/uploads/default/original/2X/7/731606cdbbe43a1bd43c3455140cc8f537345aa3.pdf) (4.52 KB) ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/9 "2010-04-10T15:38:02Z")
I think over the years of manufacturing, they found people with no common sense and structural collapses might have occured, so they put this warning to protect themselves from abuse to usage. Since the Manufacturer of the porch column is unknown, it might be wise to note such, that there is no evidence to dictate that the wrought iron porch columns are adequate without having it engineered by qualified personnel. The working load for the design of these porch railing columns vary from Manufacture to Manufacture and might not be adequate to continue to carry the anticipated loads. JMO:) **[FONT=Courier][size=4]Gilpin Inc Columns Working Loads[/size][/FONT]** [FONT=Courier][size=2]Revised: November 11, 2008[/size][/FONT] [size=2][FONT=Courier]Based on laboratory tests and analysis the working loads for Gilpin Inc Columns, with a safety factor of five (5), are as follows: NOTES: 1. THESE DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION ONLY. GILPIN INC DOES NOT ASSERT, WARRANT OR GUARANTEE THAT ANY COLUMN HAS THE STRENGTH INDICATED IN THE TABLE OR THAT ANY COLUMN IS SUITABLE FOR ANY PARTICULAR APPLICATION. 2. THESE WORKING LOADS ARE BASED ON LABORATORY TESTS OF TYPICAL, FACTORY NEW, COLUMNS. ACTUAL LOAD BEARING CAPABILITY OF INSTALLATIONS USING PRODUCTION COLUMNS MAY BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT, DEPENDING UPON MANY FACTORS SUCH AS: INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES, LATERAL LOADS, AND VARIATIONS (FOR EXAMPLE DUE TO AGE, DAMAGE, DETERIORATION OR MANUFACTURING VARIATION) IN THE PARTICULAR COLUMNS USED. 3. ANY DAMAGE TO A COLUMN WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE ITS LOAD CARRYING CAPABILITY. 4. SAFE DESIGN, USE OF CONFORMING MATERIALS AND COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING CODES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DESIGNER, BUILDER AND INSTALLER OF ANY STRUCTURE. 5. GILPIN INC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE DESIGN AND/OR PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR PRODUCTS AT ANY TIME. [/size][/FONT]Style Height (Feet) **Working Load** **(Lbs.)** Newport Flat 8 **566** Newport Corner 8 **1396** Newport Flat 10 **562** Newport Corner 10 **1255** Windsor Flat 8 **779** Windsor Corner 8 **1549** Windsor Flat 10 **548** Windsor Corner 10 **1686** Oakwood Flat 8 **985** Oakwood Corner 8 **2925** Oakwood Flat 10 **511** Oakwood Corner 10 **3279** Midway Flat 8 **1016** Midway Corner 8 **857** Midway Flat 10 **604** Midway Corner 10 **789** Newport, Windsor, Oakwood, Midway and Gilpin Ironworks are Registered Trademarks or Trademarks of Gilpin Inc.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dokeefe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dokeefe/32/171355_2.png) [@dokeefe](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dokeefe)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/adequate-support-for-overhang/48688/10 "2010-04-10T16:11:05Z")
Check the bottom of the supports. Hope they didn’t look like this. ![013.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/8/588461a478792d810e90e00e1cc080fb5477e0a7.jpeg) ![017.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/b/7/b725c75325801333e724a24aea2eb861e3839bcc.jpeg) ![014.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/b/1b52c773ccf1254f0fc7e236fd41d7b48916464c.jpeg)