Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Post spacing

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bobdino
05-21-03, 09:00 AM
I'm building a 12x37 deck which will be ledgered on the long side and 10' of the 12 ' side with 2x8s. Joists will be 2x6s on hangers. Deck height will be <15".
What would be the appropriate location and sizing for the beams allowing for the maximum ovehang on the free long edge?
What should the post (4x4) spacing be?
I intend to use 2x6 pine decking with deckmaster fasteners.
Is cross bracing indicated.
Location is Colorado.

Thanks for any advice.


lefty
05-21-03, 10:32 AM
A 12' X 37' ledgered deck with 2X6 joists needs one girder (beam) at 5' and a second at 10' from the 37' wall. This leaves you a 2' cantilever along the outside edge. If I were using 2X6 pine decking, I would put the joists at the joists at 17" O.C. simply because 27 joists will work out perfectly (and 24" would probably be too much for the pine deck boards to span without becoming 'springy').

If you use 4X6's for the girders, space the 4X4 posts no more than 5' apart.

Ledgered on 2 sides, (assuming that the ledgers are thru-bolted), you only need cross-bracing (both directions) under the 1/3 or so of the deck that is farthest from the ledgers. If the ledgers are lag-bolted, or just anchored into masonry, cross-brace the whole thing.