A Guide to Become an Expert on Awning Roof Rafters

Awnings are quite helpful in extending your outdoors when you are on a
caravan camping trip. They are multipurpose and easy to handle.
BUT, if you have a large-sized awning, it will start sagging without proper
support.
Once it starts sagging, it can cause your entire setup to collapse. And
then you have to either do it again or look for some alternative or call it
off.

None of which will be fun at all!
So, here’s our recommendation to keep your PAARTYYYYYY
ROLLINGGGG!
Use some Awning Roof Rafters!

What is a Roof Rafter?

It could be a plastic or metallic pole that is used to support the roof of an
awning from sagging. It is placed horizontally under the roof at some
specific distance to help the roof to increase its bearing capacity.
Some advanced variants can even let you set the inclination in the
middle of the roof so debris roll down and fall away quickly.

What is Curved Rafter?

There are some rafters that come straight and some that have an advanced
mechanical setup to add some inclination. Still, fortunately,
manufacturers cared enough for all kinds of people and made rafter
poles with a slight curvature.
Such rafters are economical and more comfortable to be used by
anyone even without much of the technical expertise. And so, everybody
loves them!

How do Curved Rafters Benefit?

In a new Awning, they help to add slight inclination to the roof and
keeping the exposed side free from any debris collection. Whereas they
are great for old awnings too. As time passes, awnings can often go
loose or stretch. The curved rafters with more curvature can support
stretched roof by giving some extra inclination. And thus, turning a
problem into an advantage.

How to Select the right Curvature?

The rafters come in various curvatures at the center. You can select the
curvature-based upon the width of your awning and its age. When both
are high, you will want to go for a curvature that’s high in number too.
But when both are at their minimum, you will also want to go for a
minimum curvature.
In case you are not sure, contact us to counsel.

Which Rafter Shape is Better: Round or Square?

Both!
There are two contradicting replies to it – Round is better in one case;
Square is better in another.
When you are considering only rafters, then Square rafters win as the
the shape helps in distributing the tension equally. But when you think the
whole awning and rafter as a system, Round rafters win as their shape
accommodates the roof better and the material can have a better life
with much lesser tears.
Still, people choose to go with square ones as after a storm, having a
strong roof over the head is better than a fine quality collapsed awning.

How apart should I keep the Rafters?

Ideally, the rafters must be placed 8 feet apart.
But depending on what kind of overall awning length and width are in
consideration the distance can slightly vary up to +/- 3-feet.
Such as, when you have an 11-feet awning, you need not bother about
rafters. Whereas for a 15-feet awning you should definitely respect the
experts and do it. In some cases when you have a pretty long awning as
much as 100 feet lengthy, you would prefer to place rafters just 5 feet
apart.

How many Rafters do I need?

Measure the length of the awning, and then you can do the math with
our super easy formula.
If the length of the awning is below 11-feet, then you do not need any.
For more than 11 feet awning, you would prefer to check the sagging
and climate. If everything is favorable, you can skip adding any up to 15
feet or maybe just for safety you can have one rafter for lengths between
12-feet to 18-feet.
When the length goes beyond 18-feet, you would definitely want to go
according to the ideal distance or even add up a few extra rafters in
between for assurance of strength.

How to Install an Awning Roof Rafter?

Now you have to adopt some roleplaying and have to act as a
mathematician, an installation expert, and even a handyman.
Step 1: Measure the length of the awning.
Step 2: Evaluate the sagging and climate.
Step 3: Calculate the distance and number of rafters.
Step 4: Purchase if you are short on them or have not purchased yet.
You can skip this step if you already have a bunch of rafters resting near
insight. (Translation: You already purchased them.)
Step 5: Mark the position to drill holes. We highly recommend measuring
double before you pick up your drill.
Step 6: Start drilling holes.
Step 7: Pick rafters one-by-one and start screwing them.
In case you find it difficult, contact us to install it.