Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - deck beams and joists sizing..... last time?

Guys,

Thanks once again for the advice.

Everything should remain the same as far as the deck goes. My final questions are:

a) As I would like to keep the deck as low to the ground as possible (not more than 30") will 2x8's be sufficient for the joists and ledger? I imagine that because the joists will be 16' long but spanned over the 2 beams that the span would be calculated at 7' and not the entire 16'..... is this correct? I would also like to run the joists at 16" o.c. and use 5/4 decking.
b) As far as sandwiching 2x's to form a beam, do I need to bolt them together or do I use screws from either side. What size and what interval will be sufficient?


Thanks for your input.
Regards,
Raggie Man

raggie man,

Try this...

http://doityourself.com/deck/index.htm

http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/dpwes/publications/deckdet.htm

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/decks/oldporch/framing/joists.htm

http://areaguides.com/ubuild/DeckConstr2.htm

Good Luck!

Thanks for the info, you have been a great help.