Porch Cover Metal size help

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I am wanting to build a metal frame cover over my porch approximately 15x18. I already have the sheet metal, but am not sure what size framing I need. I will probably use square tubing and c purlin/channel. I need some suggested gauges and sizes (the purlin will span the 18feet) I have worked with wood before but not much metal framing. Thank you for any help. I have seen it done here before with the frame bolted and or welded to the posts.I Live in west Texas, minor snows every now and then, winds have been known to be 80mph in storms. Only load I may put on it is a fan of some sort and maybe a florescent light fixture.It will need to sit ground to top about 12 feet above ground. here is the layout.
Reply:It will be real easy if you have a Metal Mart near you. They sell some thing called a receiver channel. The purlins fit into it and you screw through the flanges on the receiver channel and into the purlin. I've been using them a lot the last several years and they make construction very fast and no failures so far. You would only need a weld at the top of each post where the receiver channel sits and every thing else would be screwed together. It takes me and a helper about 6 hours to completely build a 24'x24' carport using them.For your structure you will need only 4 purlins cross ways as you can go up to 5' between purlins. 6" purlins are good up to 20' so I would use them on top of 2 7/8" pipe.
Reply:Awesome we do have a metal mart. Any suggestion if I were to use square tubing? Although I may decide to get some oilfield 2 7/8
Reply:I think the pipe would be cheaper and stronger. Metal Mart suggests 4"x1/8" for columns on carports. The problem is the top of the posts are then bigger than the flange of the receiver channel so you don't get a lot of weld on it. The flange on the receiver channel is 3" so the 2 7/8" pipe will get welded all the way around. It just makes for a stout joint welded all the way around so there is less flex and with the receiver channel only being 12 ga., it is certainly some thing to be considered.I have built way over a hundred carports and sheds framed like this and have had no problems. You will be amazed how much they move while you are putting the sheets on but how little they move once the sheets are completed. Any more questions just ask away. Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by BobI think the pipe would be cheaper and stronger. Metal Mart suggests 4"x1/8" for columns on carports. The problem is the top of the posts are then bigger than the flange of the receiver channel so you don't get a lot of weld on it. The flange on the receiver channel is 3" so the 2 7/8" pipe will get welded all the way around. It just makes for a stout joint welded all the way around so there is less flex and with the receiver channel only being 12 ga., it is certainly some thing to be considered.I have built way over a hundred carports and sheds framed like this and have had no problems. You will be amazed how much they move while you are putting the sheets on but how little they move once the sheets are completed. Any more questions just ask away. Bob