Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - beam layup for low decks
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : beam layup for low decks
mtbahs
09-07-06, 10:04 AM
I have a low deck and have found that I have to put the beam directly in the post supports. I have a beam of 2 2x10's in 4x4 supports, and 3 2x10 in 6x6 supports. Unfortunately both situations leave a gap (1/2" for the 4x4 supports, and 1" for the 6x6 supports). Any ideas on the best way to fill these gaps?? Should I fix the beams together with nails or bolts and a shim on the outside, or sandwich a shim between the beam members? All wood is treated, and any shim or filler would have to be too.
Thanks
Thanks
lefty
09-07-06, 10:45 PM
That's why I really feel for you guys on the right coast -- you can't get a 4X beam, and all the post bases are made for them! (There's no such thing as a post base for a dbl 2X, but you shouldn't be putting your beams in a post base anyway!!)
Use a filler between the two 2X10's. After you get the beams in place, and before you put anything on top of them, get a roll of Grace Vycor and cover the top of your beams. That comes in 75' long rolls, either 4" or 9" wide. You'll need the 9" so that it will lap down both sides of your beam. If you can't find the Vycor, get Peel and Seal flashing that is AT LEAST 6" wide and cover the top of the beam with that. Look for the Vycor at a lumberyard that supplies a lot of deck contractors, and the Peel and Seal at a roofing and masonary supply, or Google either one.
Use a filler between the two 2X10's. After you get the beams in place, and before you put anything on top of them, get a roll of Grace Vycor and cover the top of your beams. That comes in 75' long rolls, either 4" or 9" wide. You'll need the 9" so that it will lap down both sides of your beam. If you can't find the Vycor, get Peel and Seal flashing that is AT LEAST 6" wide and cover the top of the beam with that. Look for the Vycor at a lumberyard that supplies a lot of deck contractors, and the Peel and Seal at a roofing and masonary supply, or Google either one.
mtbahs
09-08-06, 11:39 AM
Thanks!
I'm using the post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Why not use the bases? I wasn't sure if I should put the filler between the 2 beam joists, or nail the beam joist together 1st and put filler on the outside only at the base support. The bases I'm using only have 2 sides to allow the beam to pass through. What are any other options besides these supports? I have been using the Grace vycor. It seems like the right thing to do, but I can't yet understand why none of the local contractors are buying in that idea yet!
Mark
I'm using the post bases to keep the wood off the concrete. Why not use the bases? I wasn't sure if I should put the filler between the 2 beam joists, or nail the beam joist together 1st and put filler on the outside only at the base support. The bases I'm using only have 2 sides to allow the beam to pass through. What are any other options besides these supports? I have been using the Grace vycor. It seems like the right thing to do, but I can't yet understand why none of the local contractors are buying in that idea yet!
Mark
lefty
09-08-06, 05:33 PM
Mark,
I understand perfectly what you are doing. Decking over an existing slab and using either ABA's ABE's or ABU's to run the beams thru. And I know the problem that you've run into. They were designed to hold a 4X or a 6X, and sandwiching 2X's together isn't going to fill the base. You simply find the proper thickness of a composite and cut it into spacers. You're putting Vycor over the beams, so water isn't going to be an issue. The composite will hold up just fine. Put the filler inside the PT 2X10's.
I've done what you are doing before on several occasions, but I have 4X lumber available for the beams. So the spacer isn't an issue for me. And I don't use the ABA's, ABE's or ABU's when I do it. I actually cut the concrete, dig a footing 12" deep (we don't have to contend with frost very often either!) and set PBS's in the top of the footing. I don't want the weight and the load of the deck resting on 4" squares of concrete that's only 3" or 4" thick.
I understand perfectly what you are doing. Decking over an existing slab and using either ABA's ABE's or ABU's to run the beams thru. And I know the problem that you've run into. They were designed to hold a 4X or a 6X, and sandwiching 2X's together isn't going to fill the base. You simply find the proper thickness of a composite and cut it into spacers. You're putting Vycor over the beams, so water isn't going to be an issue. The composite will hold up just fine. Put the filler inside the PT 2X10's.
I've done what you are doing before on several occasions, but I have 4X lumber available for the beams. So the spacer isn't an issue for me. And I don't use the ABA's, ABE's or ABU's when I do it. I actually cut the concrete, dig a footing 12" deep (we don't have to contend with frost very often either!) and set PBS's in the top of the footing. I don't want the weight and the load of the deck resting on 4" squares of concrete that's only 3" or 4" thick.