Building a Deck

What must my Deck be built of??  All lumber used must be southern pine grade #2 or better  Lumber grades are bases off of the number of visible defects in the wood that will affect the strength, usefulness, and durability –Checks –Knots –Stains –Pitch pockets  All hardware must be stainless steel or galvanized –This is so it will not corrode and rot

Inspections  Three major inspections are required on all decks –Footing  Required prior to the placing of concrete –Hole must be 3” bigger on all sides than post  Generally 15” x 15” –Must be below frost line (30” in Maryland) –Must reach virgin soil –Framing  Includes inspections of Ledger, posts, beams, and joists –Final  Includes all rails, stairs, benches, and any other add-ons  All inspections are required by law

Ledgers  Ledger must be bolted to house using carriage or lag bolts with washers, and must be attached to inside header  Bolts and lags must be at least ½” in diameter and placed every 16” on center  Floor joists must be attached to ledger with joist hangers  Siding must be removed where ledger is attached and flashing installed –Flashing must be made of copper, stainless steel, or uv resistent plastic

Posts  For decks 8’ or lower off the ground posts must be at least 4” x 4”  For decks above 8’ off the ground posts must be at least 6” x 6”  Posts must rest on footers below ground or rest on secured concrete above ground  Diagonal bracing is required for free standing decks  Follow all code charts for post-n-beam sizes and spaces

Beams  Beams must be secured to posts by one of the following two methods –Post caps –Notched post with bolts  Beam Cantilever 2” x 6” prohibited –A cantilever is when the beam overhangs the post  Beam Cantilever 2” x 8” or higher = 2’ maximum  All beam splices shall be located over bearing posts –Splices between posts are prohibited  See all deck/beam span charts for sizing and spacing

Floor Joists  All joists must carry –A live load of at least 40 psf –A dead load of at least 10 psf  Floor joists must be attached to ledger with joist hangers  Cantilever –2” x 6” = prohibited –2” x 8” = 2’ maximum –2” x 10” = 3’ maximum  Centilevered joists must extend back towards the building at least 3 times the cantilever