And I'm getting conflicting opinions on what is needed.

We moved in here in '99 & were told the fiberglass panels were recently replaced. Almost 30 yrs later, leaks way to much & want/need to update...

The crazy thing is we have a 20' open span w/ 2x8's on 4' centers across the 20'+ width

3 sides sit on top of 12" steel I-beams supported by 5" round pipe ...

1 guy wants to replace 2x8 with more steel & other wants to bump up to 2x10...

My thoughts are stay with 2x8 #1 16" on center, top w/ R-Panel & add some type of soffit/ceiling so we can be done battling spider webs & wasps...

Thanks

Eta, Mrs B says just replace it with the same...

What's the pitch on that roof. It looks nearly flat. If so, and you have to do some framing anyway, I'd see about trying to add some more pitch to that. I would not replace the fiberglass with more fiberglass. I would go with R-panel. I use R panel on all of my own carports that I built, same with lean-tos off my barns. I use that down to 1/12 pitch, but even that is really a bit lower pitch that manufacturers like, but it's my own so I do what I want. It has never given me any issues but I also adhere to consistent pitches.

It is slightly higher on the north side, but you are correct it is pretty close to flat

Also, while it will not transmit light, the R-panel will handle any hail you ever would get. That fiberglass shatters as it ages. Those are nice vehicles under that thing, and I'd prefer the metal panel take the hail hit over the automotive sheet metal.

DoitBest said:

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My thoughts are stay with 2x8 #1 16" on center, top w/ R-Panel & add some type of soffit/ceiling so we can be done battling spider webs & wasps...

Thanks

Eta, Mrs B says just replace it with the same...

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With adding the weight of the soffit/ceiling, I would at least upsize the wood.

Not going to stop the wasps and spiders tho.

Yeah, I was just hoping that increasing the # of 2x8 joists would be enough...