How many tapcons . . .

[bruffc]

I'm in the process of building some "boxes" which I need to attach to the patio. The boxes will be covered with cement board and stone veneer . . . eventually. Each box will be approx 57.5" long, 30" deep and 32" tall.

When I attach the boxes to the patio using Tapcons, how many Tapcons would you recommend? One per 16"?

Thanks

Bryan

[chopnhack]

A couple of things need to be made clearer...

Weight of material to be supported

How is the weight going to be supported, is this a cantilevered load, or is there going to be a bottom piece touching the ground, etc.

What attaching points do we have for the boxes and is this to cmu or concrete poured wall?

[bruffc]

More info....

Chopnhack - I don't know the actual weight of the material. I'm planning on using pressure treated 2x4's for the framing, then covering it with durarock cement board. Then the stone company is coming out to apply the dry stack stone veneer on the sides and the top will have a 1.5" thick "cap stone".

Alot of the DIY shows I see use metal 2x4's when building the bbq cabinets. I asked the stone company what I should use for the cabinet support and they said either the metal or wood 2x4's would work. I choose pressure treated since it's exterior, I've never worked with metal 2x4s and I have the tools to cut wood.

These boxes are going on top of new additional poured concrete slab. The cement guy knew about my wanting to build a bbq area on top of the slab so they poured a thicker slab with footings, rebar, etc.

So the boxes I'm building will sit on top of the concrete patio (above grade). Basically I'm using a regular type grill (not a built in grill) and I'm building a box to go on each side of the grill. So the grill will have the apperance of being a built in but I will be able to pull it out for cleaning, winter, etc.

Thanks

[jking]

So, you're just looking to keep things from being able to move out of position? It sounds like there's no load involved unless something (mower, car, etc.) bumps into the box. 16" spacing seems ok.

I don't know if there are any applicable codes to what you are doing that might dictate otherwise.

[gsmittle]

Oh man, I thought the title was the lead-in to a joke!

Since the load is straight down, you could probably get by with two tapcons per 2x. As somebody in the other tapcon thread said (chopnhack?) said, be sure to blow the dust out of the holes before driving the tapcons.

g.

[os1kne]

I've used tapcons many times to attach shelves, cabinets, etc. to cement and concrete block walls, but I'm not experienced with your application. From what I understand from your post, it sounds like you are installing the equivalent of base cabinets to the "floor" of your patio.

I'm sure that you could spend a lot of time and figure out the approximate weight of each box, but my understanding is that the weight of the cabinets will be resting on the ground, so the tapcons won't be supporting any weight, just holding the boxes in position. Assuming that the boxes aren't likely to be banged into with a lawn tractor, battering ram, etc. the (likely substantial) weight of the finished boxes will probably do a pretty good job keeping their position fixed. A tapcon at each corner and approx. every 16", buried 1.5" or so into the concrete should have you very secure.

Good luck!

[os1kne]

It looks like others responded with the gist of my response while I was still typing. Good luck.

[bruffc]

Thanks

Thanks for the responses.

FYI - yeah, nothing substantial SHOULD bump into it. The patio sits about 5 inches above grade and will be landscaped (mulch, plants) out a couple of feet.

Wife says I can't have a riding mower because then I wouldn't get any aerobic exercise. I could see bumping into it when getting the grill in and out but it's not like I'm gonna take a running start with the grill. I could also see the kids hitting it with a ball or someone leaning on it but that's about it.

Thanks

[pelligrini]

I think two fasteners on each of the long sides, 14-16" from the ends and one in the middle of each end would be more than sufficient. I used just two on a 12' long doghouse I did on my back porch recently. It will barely even move with just those fasteners.

[chopnhack]

Sounds cool! Of course we need pictures when its done, right?

[bigangelman]

The wife says you can't have a rider, then take away her dishwasher. Your heart is only going to beat so many times, why use them up huffing & puffing mowing the lawn. Take her to the store where they sell compact tractors with the buckets and all the attachments. She will freak at the cost, then compromise on a rider. Remember the one who dies with the most toys wins!

Tom

Thanks for the responses.

FYI - yeah, nothing substantial SHOULD bump into it. The patio sits about 5 inches above grade and will be landscaped (mulch, plants) out a couple of feet.

Wife says I can't have a riding mower because then I wouldn't get any aerobic exercise. I could see bumping into it when getting the grill in and out but it's not like I'm gonna take a running start with the grill. I could also see the kids hitting it with a ball or someone leaning on it but that's about it.

Thanks

[bruffc]

Almost Done

Sounds cool! Of course we need pictures when its done, right?

Well, I can't take alot of credit for our patio project but it's almost done. The stone company needs to bring out some more capstones then I can install the charcoal grill and door. We did built the pergola, stained it and I built the 'boxes' around the grill and pergola posts though.

The curved seating between the posts is poured concrete (under the stone) . . . this was a BT3 suggestion. I also used BT3 advice on construction of the 'boxes'. Thanks for that

[os1kne]

That's very nice!

[pelligrini]

That turned out to be a really cool space.

[gsmittle]

That is one seriously nice patio! Well done!

g.