Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck Foundations
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John Virtue
04-07-01, 12:41 PM
I am installing a deck that sits only 8" off grade to my door. The deck will be 12' x 15'.I have two questions:
1. How many support beams are typically required for this size, and where do they go?
2. How do I build this deck with only 8" height? What supports the cross members?
1. How many support beams are typically required for this size, and where do they go?
2. How do I build this deck with only 8" height? What supports the cross members?
Mike Swearingen
04-08-01, 04:28 AM
What are you going to use for decking? 5/4" or 2X?
If you use 2X, you can put the joists on 24" centers. If you're using thinner 5/4", put them on 16" centers.
(All pressure-treated.)
I would excavate the grass under the deck area, put down plastic or ground fabric, and a layer of gravel over that to go under the deck.
Since you're building the deck virtually right on the ground (I would keep it up just off the ground on bricks or concrete cap blocks, and use 2X6 p-t for the frame.)
A 2X6 is 5.5" and 2X decking will be 1.5" thick, so you can adjust the brick height to raise the frame 1 more inch off the ground to give you your 8". Or you can raise the brick height for 5/4".
The weight of the deck will hold it in place.
You don't need support posts.
Just build a 12' X 15' box frame of 2X6s, and add the 2X6 joists on 16" or 24" centers perpendicular to your door. You can use galvanized joist hangers or just nail the ends to the frame.
Leave a 16p nail space between each deck board for drainage.
For illustrated how-to on decks for ideas, go to http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/ and click on Decks section.
lefty is the pro here (I'm not), and he will probably have better ideas.
Good Luck!
Mike
If you use 2X, you can put the joists on 24" centers. If you're using thinner 5/4", put them on 16" centers.
(All pressure-treated.)
I would excavate the grass under the deck area, put down plastic or ground fabric, and a layer of gravel over that to go under the deck.
Since you're building the deck virtually right on the ground (I would keep it up just off the ground on bricks or concrete cap blocks, and use 2X6 p-t for the frame.)
A 2X6 is 5.5" and 2X decking will be 1.5" thick, so you can adjust the brick height to raise the frame 1 more inch off the ground to give you your 8". Or you can raise the brick height for 5/4".
The weight of the deck will hold it in place.
You don't need support posts.
Just build a 12' X 15' box frame of 2X6s, and add the 2X6 joists on 16" or 24" centers perpendicular to your door. You can use galvanized joist hangers or just nail the ends to the frame.
Leave a 16p nail space between each deck board for drainage.
For illustrated how-to on decks for ideas, go to http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/ and click on Decks section.
lefty is the pro here (I'm not), and he will probably have better ideas.
Good Luck!
Mike