Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Joist hanger support

Could someone please answer an important question for me about deck building.I am getting ready to build a 10x16 deck. The deck will be 10 foot long and 16 foot wide. I will be using 2 x 10's for the joists and the ledger. The beam for the 16 foot span is two (2 x 12 with 1/4 inch steel betweem sitting on 6x6 posts. Here my question.

The contractor building the deck wants to install the 2x10's joist in joist hangers on the ledger board and attached the other end of the 2x10 in a joist hanger which would be attached to the 2x12 beam. In other words, the only thing supporting the 2x10's is a joist hanger on each side of the 2x10 with no support at all under the 2 x 10's. Are the joist hanger strong enough to hold the 2x10 and the weight of a couple of people standing on them. The reason the contractor wants to do this is that the clearance from the bottom of the beam to the ground would be around 7'1"but it he installed the 2X10 on top of the beam, the clearance under the beam is only about 6'2". So, my question is, can the joist hanger alone support the 10 foot long span with no other support underneath them. He has aready dug the footers and I am concerned about this.

P.S. I still have time to have the 2x10 installed on top of the special Beam, but the 2x10 would only overhang about 2".




[Edited by bmixon on 09-28-01 at 05:01]

Joist hangers are strong enough to support the load you described. The question I have is appearance. traditionlly the joist rest on top of the beam and project past it by a foot or two. This puts the beam back in from the edge and gives a cleaner look.

Hello
No problem with the joist hangers that is how they work and work well....how are you going to support the railing around the deck? Are you using PT wood for the under deck lumber..it is code now in many places?....Good Luck

Originally posted by beumelc
Joist hangers are strong enough to support the load you described. The question I have is appearance. traditionlly the joist rest on top of the beam and project past it by a foot or two. This puts the beam back in from the edge and gives a cleaner look.

I realize this would be a problem and its important to me how it looks. I was thinking about triming out the rim joist and the beam with a product called "TrimTec". It would be white and would contrast with the Grey Vinyl decking material from Kroy. The decking material will overhang by 2" inches on three sides, so I hope this will
make the deck look better. The TrimTec would cover the
the beam and the rim joist and give a uniform look. Any comments would be appreciated whether this solution makes any sense. Thanks

Originally posted by some help
Hello
No problem with the joist hangers that is how they work and work well....how are you going to support the railing around the deck? Are you using PT wood for the under deck lumber..it is code now in many places?....Good Luck

I will be using pressure treated lumber for all of the under decking with a vinyl product called "Kroy" for the decking itself and the railing system is from Endurance which will be attached with 4x4 PT post. The post also have a vinyl sleeve. Thanks

Hello
should look great and last a long time enjoy.....
Good Luck and Have Fun.......