Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - 8' X 36' Deck Questions
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dalee99
08-10-06, 08:56 AM
I have an existing 8X36 deck that I plan on replacing. It is connected to a ledger board on the house along the 36' width and one side of the 8' depth. The deck is raised about 10' off of the ground.
Local codes show that 2X10 joists spaced 24 inches on center with 2X6 decking is sufficient for support as well as using 4X4 for posts.
Will the joists, posts and spacing specified above provide me with a strong deck or should other dimensions/spacing be considered?
Local codes show that 2X10 joists spaced 24 inches on center with 2X6 decking is sufficient for support as well as using 4X4 for posts.
Will the joists, posts and spacing specified above provide me with a strong deck or should other dimensions/spacing be considered?
Concretemasonry
08-10-06, 10:02 AM
The joist spacing and decking planned may meet local codes, but what about the post spacing you are planning on?
What kind of soil and what is the climate (frost depth)? The existing posts may have worked as long as the deck lasted, but they may not be OK for a new added deck with hopefully a longer life.
Since this is attached to your home make sure you have proper flashing to prevent any water penetration. Just because your house is still standing does not mean it was protected from the weather and moisture intrusion.
Now is the best time to make any improvements.
Dick
What kind of soil and what is the climate (frost depth)? The existing posts may have worked as long as the deck lasted, but they may not be OK for a new added deck with hopefully a longer life.
Since this is attached to your home make sure you have proper flashing to prevent any water penetration. Just because your house is still standing does not mean it was protected from the weather and moisture intrusion.
Now is the best time to make any improvements.
Dick
Ubob
08-10-06, 11:39 AM
Your joist size and spacing should be strong enough.
There are other things to consider.
Spacing of the posts supporting the deck - how far apart. Support under those posts and how they are attached to that support as well as how they are attached to the deck. Whether or not there is a beam supporting the joists, and the sizing of that beam.
What the ledger board is attached to, and how it is attached to the house - number,size,type of anchor.
That joist hangers are used and properly installed.
For most decks - what means of bracing is used to prevent the deck from racking (the outside moving side-to-side) - not a problem in your case because of the attachment on the 8' side.
To insure it stays strong, that treated lumber is used for framing and that the ledger (and end joist in your case) are properly flashed to prevent water behind them.
Also important is how the railing is attached to the deck so that it is sturdy. There are usually code restrictions on the spacing of ballusters in a railing (max 4" space between in my area).
In many areas, the building permit folks will have guidelines that will help.
There are other things to consider.
Spacing of the posts supporting the deck - how far apart. Support under those posts and how they are attached to that support as well as how they are attached to the deck. Whether or not there is a beam supporting the joists, and the sizing of that beam.
What the ledger board is attached to, and how it is attached to the house - number,size,type of anchor.
That joist hangers are used and properly installed.
For most decks - what means of bracing is used to prevent the deck from racking (the outside moving side-to-side) - not a problem in your case because of the attachment on the 8' side.
To insure it stays strong, that treated lumber is used for framing and that the ledger (and end joist in your case) are properly flashed to prevent water behind them.
Also important is how the railing is attached to the deck so that it is sturdy. There are usually code restrictions on the spacing of ballusters in a railing (max 4" space between in my area).
In many areas, the building permit folks will have guidelines that will help.
dalee99
08-10-06, 11:41 AM
The joist spacing and decking planned may meet local codes, but what about the post spacing you are planning on?
What kind of soil and what is the climate (frost depth)? The existing posts may have worked as long as the deck lasted, but they may not be OK for a new added deck with hopefully a longer life.
Since this is attached to your home make sure you have proper flashing to prevent any water penetration. Just because your house is still standing does not mean it was protected from the weather and moisture intrusion.
Now is the best time to make any improvements.
Dick
I agree totally that this is the time to make improvements. I will definately make sure correct flashing is installed. The current footings are not up to code, basically sitting on top of a concrete slab. I will check on the size the footing will our local building department, but local contracters have told me they need to be 24" deep. I plan on having 4 support posts, 9' apart starting 9' from the side of the porch attached to the house.
What kind of soil and what is the climate (frost depth)? The existing posts may have worked as long as the deck lasted, but they may not be OK for a new added deck with hopefully a longer life.
Since this is attached to your home make sure you have proper flashing to prevent any water penetration. Just because your house is still standing does not mean it was protected from the weather and moisture intrusion.
Now is the best time to make any improvements.
Dick
I agree totally that this is the time to make improvements. I will definately make sure correct flashing is installed. The current footings are not up to code, basically sitting on top of a concrete slab. I will check on the size the footing will our local building department, but local contracters have told me they need to be 24" deep. I plan on having 4 support posts, 9' apart starting 9' from the side of the porch attached to the house.
lefty
08-10-06, 02:15 PM
As long as you follow what the local bldg. dept. tells you to do, you will be fine. You haven't mentioned what you will be using for decking though. 24" O.C. is fine for 2X6 deck boards. However, 5/4 deck boards and virtually all composites need joists at no more than 16" O.C.
dalee99
08-10-06, 02:36 PM
I will be using 2X6 for the decking. I would love to use the composite, I used it when I rebuilt my front porch, but the price difference for this deck as opposed to PT would be to great.
chandler
08-10-06, 05:46 PM
If not already mentioned, please make sure your ledger boards are bolted to the house properly. Nothing makes for a bad day like a deck falling 10' due to the owner expecting #16 nails to hold it up.
lefty
08-10-06, 07:03 PM
dalee99,
I'm sure that you have priced it both ways -- wood versus composite. It may well be a whole lot different where you are (depending on what wood is available and its' cost), but on the left coast, even with redwood as an option for the decking, by the time you factor in the maintenance, composite wins every time!! Granted, it's more expensive up front. But once it's down, you're done with it, other than keeping itm clean. No $25 or $30 per gallon sealer/stain every 2 or 3 years; no time spent putting that stain or sealer on, ...
I'm sure that you have priced it both ways -- wood versus composite. It may well be a whole lot different where you are (depending on what wood is available and its' cost), but on the left coast, even with redwood as an option for the decking, by the time you factor in the maintenance, composite wins every time!! Granted, it's more expensive up front. But once it's down, you're done with it, other than keeping itm clean. No $25 or $30 per gallon sealer/stain every 2 or 3 years; no time spent putting that stain or sealer on, ...
dalee99
08-11-06, 05:32 AM
I understand the maintenance issue, but like you stated the upfront cost for both the composite material and extra structure due to different joist spacing is unfortunately a little to pricey for me at this point.
lefty
08-11-06, 06:32 PM
dalee99,
Assuming that you are using 8' joists and running the deck board in the 36' direction, you are only talking about 8 extra 8' joists. At $12 each, that's only an extra $100 -- $150 by the time you throw in hangers, etc.
Decking material -- now that depends on what you are comparing. On the left coast, we have redwood, and we have composites. I won't use the $1.25/ft. redwood. It's junk that won't last 10 years around here. So I'm going to redwood that costs $2.00/ft. and up. Composites start at $2.00/ft. No price difference there, other than the most expensive composite is about $3.00/ft., and I could pay as much as $6.00/ft. for redwood if that's that the customer REALLY wanted!!
Assuming that you are using 8' joists and running the deck board in the 36' direction, you are only talking about 8 extra 8' joists. At $12 each, that's only an extra $100 -- $150 by the time you throw in hangers, etc.
Decking material -- now that depends on what you are comparing. On the left coast, we have redwood, and we have composites. I won't use the $1.25/ft. redwood. It's junk that won't last 10 years around here. So I'm going to redwood that costs $2.00/ft. and up. Composites start at $2.00/ft. No price difference there, other than the most expensive composite is about $3.00/ft., and I could pay as much as $6.00/ft. for redwood if that's that the customer REALLY wanted!!