Cantilever Roof Structures

Weather-Protected Outdoor Storage Systems for Industrial Inventory

Cantilever roof structures are engineered to create a four-season covered storage environment. RACKsteel supplies Cogan L-shed or T-shed configurations for outdoor inventory storage. These systems are designed to shield stored materials from harsh environmental factors, including rain, snow, ice, and sun exposure. The integrated angled roof design facilitates water runoff and protection. Cantilever roof structures are constructed from powder-coated structural steel components and heavy-duty treated-wood joists. These structures offer superior strength and long-term durability and are ideal for lumberyards, shipping yards, overflow areas, or any industrial application that requires outdoor storage.

RACKsteel is a designated supplier of Cogan cantilever roof structures. For more information and design consultation, contact a RACKsteel representative today.

About Cogan Products

As a designated supplier, RACKsteel is proud to offer Cogan’s premium range of cantilever roof structures. Cogan has been built on over a century of engineering excellence since 1901. Every Cogan product we install is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. By choosing RACKsteel for your Cogan products, you are investing in a century of structural integrity and a professional partnership dedicated to keeping your property and people safe.

System Design and Configuration

RACKsteel cantilever roof systems are custom-manufactured by Cogan to account for site-specific requirements. We supply L-Shed and T-Shed configurations.

T-Shed Cantilever Racking

The T-shed is a double-sided roofing system featuring arms on both sides of the column to maximize storage capacity. Existing double-sided systems can be retrofitted with a T-shed roof to provide weather protection for outdoor inventory.

L-Shed Cantilever Racking

The L-shed is a single-sided configuration designed for exterior applications. It can be installed flush against an existing wall or as a standalone unit with the support of back panels. Existing single-sided cantilever racking can be retrofitted with an L-shed roof to maximize current storage investments.

Technical Specifications and Assembly

All roofing components are engineered for maximum seal integrity and load resistance. The angled roof design allows rain to flow down easily while shielding inventory against snow, ice, and sun damage. Built with powder-coated structural steel and heavy-duty treated-wood joists, these systems offer superior durability, with an optional galvanized finish for enhanced wear resistance.

To account for local weather variances and specific load requirements, Cogan cantilever roofs are custom-manufactured for every project. They are available in both single-sided (L-shed) and double-sided (T-shed) configurations, providing a versatile solution for protecting stored materials from even the harshest outdoor conditions.

Roof Deck and Fastening

The roof deck is constructed from galvanized steel panels. Panels are secured to wood beams using waterproof hex head Tek screws equipped with rubber seals. Each roof panel must overlap the previous section and be fastened accordingly to maintain a watertight barrier.

Dimensional Requirements

L-Shed Clearance: The roof must extrude 6″ from the edge of the rack arms. The steel deck may extend 6″ past the rear of the system only if back panels (supported by 2″ x 4″ wood beams) are installed.
T-Shed Clearance: The roof must extend 6″ from the edge of the rack arms on both sides.

T-Shed Specialized Components

Roof Top Angle: A metal flashing is utilized to provide a protective seal between the cantilever columns. This angle must overlap when using multiple lengths and be fastened every 24″ with Tek screws.
Support Framework: The roof is supported by 2″ x 6″ wood beams of varying lengths.

Joist Installation

Continuous Beams: When using continuous wood beams, the beam must be attached by diagonal bolting.
Joined Beams: When joining two wood beams on the same bracket, they must be centered in the bracket and secured with two bolts.
Alignment: The steel deck must be aligned and centered on the column.

Applications

Cantilever roof structures are commonly specified for the outdoor storage of:

Lumber and Wood Products
Construction Materials
Metal Sections and Extrusions
Oversized Inventory in Shipping Yards
Seasonal Overflow Materials

These systems create excellent, efficient covered storage space when indoor square footage is unavailable or insufficient. For application and capacity confirmation, contact a RACKsteel team member today.

Supply and Compliance

RACKsteel supplies Cogan cantilever systems, which have been manufactured in Canada since 1901. Cogan products are built to the highest standards, with every component meeting rigorous safety and quality benchmarks. Cogan cantilever roof structures are made with galvanized steel with an additional protective undercoat, wood studs, and roof arms made of structural steel, which meet and exceed the ASTM A572 Grade 50 and CSA G40.21 350W standards. By factoring in city and province-specific environmental data, RACKsteel ensures that the L-shed or T-shed configuration meets the required safety standards for weather, snow accumulation, and wind resistance.

RACKsteel provides complete project support for cantilever roof structure installations, including:

Design and layout development
In-house drafting and load verification
Structural and seismic compliance review
Foundation and anchoring coordination
Professional installation by RACKsteel’s trained internal crews

Integration With Material Handling Equipment

Cantilever systems are designed to operate well with heavy material handling equipment, including:

Counterbalance forklifts
Side loaders
Multi-directional forklifts
Overhead cranes (where applicable)

Rack geometry, aisle clearances, and arm elevations are coordinated with equipment specifications to support safe and efficient loading and unloading operations. The absence of front columns allows forklifts to approach the rack at any point, significantly improving material handling speed.

Request a Cantilever Roof Assessment

To evaluate a cantilever roof structure for your facility, submit a request with material specifications, load requirements, environmental conditions, and site constraints. A RACKsteel representative will review the information and provide a technical assessment, system configuration, and pricing.