HomeMy WebLinkAboutEngineer's Letter-Memo for Trellis
MEMORANDUM
To: Sean DeMoraes (homeowner)
159 Blue Heron Drive
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Date: August 24, 2025
From: Nathan Torres, PE, Principal
TK Engineering Consultants, LLC
4128 Main St., Unit 114
Timnath, CO 80547
Project: DeMoraes Residence
159 Blue Heron Drive
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Subject: 159 Blue Heron Drive, Glenwood Springs – Trellis structure on back patio
This memo shall serve as a supplement to the PDF exhibit issued to Mr. DeMoraes & D.M. Neuman on
June 9, 2025 regarding the trellis structure on the back patio of residence located at 159 Blue Heron
Drive, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. That exhibit is attached hereto as additional information.
Scope of Work
TK Engineering was retained by Mr. DeMoraes (homeowner) to provide guidance on the construction
of a trellis feature on the back patio of the subject residence. On June 9, 2025 TKE issued a one-
page PDF exhibit that provided recommendation for construction in accordance with Garfield County
Building Department design guidelines.
On August 22, 2025, TKE conducted an in-person site visit to observe the newly constructed trellis.
Additionally, representatives from D.M. Neuman Construction provided TKE with progress
photographs of the slab on grade and newly constructed trellis.
Conclusions & Design Recommendations
TKE observed the as-built construction of the slab on grade and trellis as well as photographs
provided by D.M. Neuman. Two items were altered during construction. D.M. Neuman changed from
the aluminum “Geolam” joists to 3x8 wood joists because of material availability. Secondly, the
trellis feature was extended to cover the hot tub area. TKE understands that no structure such as;
sheathing or wind/sun-screen will be placed on top of the trellis joists to catch snow, rain, or wind.
Therefore, TKE did not review the overall structure for wind or snow loads. TKE’s scope was limited
to self-weight of the joists and overall stability of the trellis feature.
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TKE observed the following features of specific note:
· The 2x8 Rim board was attached to the residence with Ledgerlok screws at 16” o.c. in 2
staggered rows as per TKE’s initial recommendations.
· The trellis joists were secured to the rim board of the residence using concealed Simpson
HCJTZ concealed joist ties.
o A second layer of blocking was placed over the rim board to conceal the ledgelok
screw heads as well as the pins from the HCJTZ joist hangers to provide a cleaned
finished look.
· The 8x8 DF posts were secured to the concrete slab on grade using Simpson ABU88Z base
plates.
o This base plate was covered with a decorative trim feature to provide a cleaner
finished look.
· The slab on grade thickened edge detail extends over the extents of where the trellis feature
is located as per TKE’s initial recommendations.
· End blocking was placed between each joist over the 8x10 trellis beams to provide stability
to the joists and prevent rolling.
· Continuous strapping was secured to the top of the trellis joists at mid-span to provide
stability to the joists and prevent rolling.
After observation of the as-constructed trellis feature and progress photographs, TKE finds the
construction to be in accordance with the previously issued pdf exhibit as well as Garfield County
Building Department guidelines.
TK has attached photographs hereto as back-up detail of the as-built conditions.
Liability Statement
This memo provides general assumptions by TK Engineering Consultants, LLC for work to be
completed by a licensed, bonded, and insured Contractor in the State of Colorado. These
recommendations are strictly limited only to items of work and components of the subject building
specifically discussed within this memo. TK’s project scope is limited specifically to the analysis of
the arched gluam beams and does not take any responsibility for any of the architectural features or
their associated code or design requirements (i.e. egress, fire safety, plumbing, electrical,
mechanical).
The Contractor shall be responsible for all means and methods of erecting the proposed temporary
events feature. The Contractor shall undertake all necessary measures to ensure safety of all
persons, equipment, and existing structures at the project site. The Contractor is required to take
precautionary measures to protect any and all utility lines including those not on record or discussed
in this memo.
The Contractor shall notify the Owner and Engineer immediately of any changed site conditions.
Closure
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This memo is for the exclusive use of our client and is not intended for any other purpose. It is based
on information made available to us at this time. Should additional information become available, we
reserve the right to determine the impact, if any, of the latest information and conclusions, and to
revise our opinions and conclusions if necessary.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this project. You can reach me
via phone at 720-936-8787 or by email at natetorres@tkengineering.biz.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathan Torres, P.E. Principal
TK Engineering Consultants, LLC
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SUBJECT LOCATION: 159 Blue Heron Drive
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
GOVERNING AGENCY: Garfield County, Colorado
ADOPTED CODE: 2015 ICC
LOADS: WL - 115mph, Exp. B
SNOW: 40psf
FROST: 36-inches
The Geolam trellis members are a premanufactured non-load bearing decorative
aluminum member that have been designed by Geolam USA. There will be no roof
covering of any kind on top of the Geolam trellis members, therefore snow load is not
included in the design presented herein.
Nathan Torres
TK Engineering Consultants, LLC
NateTorres@TKEngineering.biz
720-936-8787
N
16'-0"16'-0"
2x8 DF NO.1 PT
ledger w/ 4" ledgerlok
screws @ 16" o.c.
staggered in 2 rows
16
"
18"
#4 cont. horiz
where shown
Geolam trellis
boards by others
8x8 DF posts where
shown. base plate to
be Simpson CPT88Z
top connection to be
mortise & tenon joint.
finish w/ (2)-6" timber
lock screws centered
on vertical tenon.
6x6 45-degee
decorative knee
braces @ 4 locations.
Connect to beam or
column w/ (1)- 1/2"
dia. thrubolt @ ea
end. countersink &
plug ends
8x10 trellis beam