The structural posts and beams of a Broken Arrow covered patio form the primary load-bearing skeleton of the covered structure — they carry the weight of the roof, the roofing materials, and any wind and snow loads from the roof plane down to the footings and concrete slab. Sizing these members correctly is essential for both safety and aesthetic quality: undersized posts look spindly and create a cheap appearance that undermines the covered patio’s visual impact; oversized posts produce a heavy, institutional look that clashes with the home’s residential scale; correctly sized posts provide structural adequacy with the visual presence appropriate for the covered patio’s scale. VistaScapes & Design sizes posts and beams using span tables and structural calculation appropriate to the covered patio’s span and load on every Broken Arrow project.
Post Sizing and Spacing
Structural post sizing and spacing for Broken Arrow covered patios: 6×6 posts — a 6×6 (nominal) pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine or Douglas Fir post is the standard structural post for residential covered patios in Broken Arrow; a 6×6 post at 8 to 10 feet tall can support the roof load from a typical 16 by 24-foot covered patio with adequate safety margin for Oklahoma’s wind loads; the 6×6 post has a nominal dimension of 5.5 by 5.5 inches actual, which provides visual weight appropriate for a residential covered patio structure; for covered patios with longer span beams (20 feet or more) or heavier roof assemblies (tile roofing, HVAC equipment), a 6×6 post may require an increase to 8×8 depending on the structural calculation. 8×8 posts — an 8×8 post (7.5 by 7.5 inches actual) provides substantially more visual presence than a 6×6 and is appropriate for larger covered patios, taller post heights, or heavy-load roof configurations; 8×8 posts are common in premium covered patio projects where the homeowner wants a substantial, architectural appearance that reads well from a distance; the additional material cost of 8×8 versus 6×6 is modest but the visual difference is significant. Steel posts — round or square steel tube posts (typically HSS [Hollow Structural Section] or pipe posts with steel base plates) are used in modern, industrial, or minimalist covered patio designs; a 4-inch by 4-inch HSS steel post provides structural capacity similar to a 6×6 wood post in a much slimmer profile; steel posts require surface preparation and painting or powder coating for corrosion resistance in Broken Arrow’s outdoor conditions; steel posts are more expensive to fabricate and install than wood posts but allow longer spans with less visual obstruction. Post spacing — posts are typically spaced at 8 to 12 feet on center along the covered patio’s perimeter; closer spacing reduces the beam spans required between posts (allowing lighter beams) but increases the number of footings; wider spacing requires heavier beams but creates a more open perimeter with less visual obstruction of the outdoor view.
Beam Sizing and Connection Details
Structural beam sizing and connection details for Broken Arrow covered patio posts: beam sizing — the beam spanning between posts must be sized for the tributary load from the rafter framing above and the span distance between the supporting posts; a double 2×8 beam (two 2×8 dimensional lumber members face-nailed together) spans up to approximately 8 feet with standard residential roof loads; a double 2×10 beam spans up to 10 to 12 feet; a double 2×12 beam spans up to 12 to 14 feet; for longer spans or heavier loads, an engineered LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam provides greater span capacity in the same depth as dimensional lumber; LVL beams are manufactured in the same widths as dimensional lumber (1.75-inch single, 3.5-inch double, 5.25-inch triple) and in depths from 9.25 to 18 inches. Post-to-beam connections — the connection between the post and the beam must resist both the vertical gravity loads and the horizontal wind loads that attempt to rack the covered patio structure; standard connection hardware (Simpson Strong-Tie post caps, beam bearing hardware) bolts the beam to the top of the post and provides resistance to uplift from wind suction; post caps are manufactured in sizes matching common post and beam dimensions (6×6 post, double 2×10 beam) and are hot-dip galvanized for exterior use; the post cap connection is inspected during the covered patio’s framing inspection. Decorative post and beam details — structural posts and beams can be enhanced with non-structural decorative elements (corbels under the beam, chamfered post corners, post base trim rings) that add architectural character to the covered patio structure without affecting structural performance; decorative corbels are installed below the beam-to-post connection after the structural connection is made; column wraps (applied casing around the structural post) create a tapered or square column appearance consistent with traditional or Craftsman architectural styles. VistaScapes & Design sizes and specifies all structural members based on the covered patio’s span, load, and architectural direction on every Broken Arrow project.
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free covered patio consultation in Tulsa. We’ll size the structural posts and beams for your covered patio and show you the options for post profiles and decorative details.
