Materials
| Joist Spacing (o.c.) | 12" | 16" | 24" | |
| Species | Size | Allowable Span | Allowable Span | Allowable Span |
| Southern Pine | 2x6 | 9'-11" | 9'-0" | 7'-7" |
| Southern Pine | 2x8 | 13'-1" | 11'-10" | 9'-8" |
| Southern Pine | 2x10 | 16'-2" | 14'-0" | 11'-5" |
Should I use 2x6 or 2x8 for decking?
Should I use 2x6 or 2x8 for deck? In general terms, joists spaced 16 inches on center can span 1.5 times in feet their depth in inches. A 2x8 up to 12 feet; 2x10 to 15 feet and 2x12 to 18 feet.
Can you use 2x10 deck boards for joists?
A 2x8 up to 12 feet; 2x10 to 15 feet and 2x12 to 18 feet. The larger the deck, the larger the joists. For upper-level decks, 2x10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. Click to see full answer. Besides, can you use 2x10 for deck boards?
How far can you span a 2x6 deck board?
Just so, how far can you span a 2x6 for a deck? Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches.
Should I use 2x8 or 2x10 for beam?
Should use 2x10 for beams but 2x8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2x8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.
Should I use 2x6 or 2x8 for deck joists?
You can use 2×6 as deck joists if the deck is low enough to the ground as not to require guard railing. When using S-P-F 2×6 deck joists, the span must not be greater than 9'0″ (2.73m) with joists at 16″ o.c. (400mm), and 9'10” (3.01m)with spacing at 12″ (300mm).
Can I use 2 2x8 for deck beams?
Deck beams sit on top of the posts and support the deck joists. If the outside edge of your deck is at least 17” above grade, a double 2x8 deck beam should be installed to support the joists along the outside.
What size wood do you use for deck boards?
For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s. The 5/4 decking (pronounced "five-quarter"), available in cedar and pressure-treated fir, is 1 inch thick and 5-1/2 inches wide with rounded edges that make for a splinter-free surface. Cedar 1x lumber usually has one rough side and one smooth side.
What size joist should I use for decking?
Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.
How far can I span a 2x8 for a deck?
A rule of thumb is 1.5 times a joist's depth but in feet when spaced at 16” centers. In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet.
How far can a 2x8 span without support?
How far can a 2×8 rafter span without support. Maximum allowable span for a 2×8 rafter:- the maximum allowable span for 2×8 rafter is 21 feet 7 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from centre, 19 feet 6 inches at 16″ OC & 18 feet 6 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No.
Can I use 2x8 for deck joists?
2x8 for joists will be fine, with 16" OC. Should use 2x10 for beams but 2x8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2x8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.
How thick should a deck board be?
16” on center = Standard for residential decking applications. 12” on center is recommended for a sturdier underfoot feel, when using standard deck board thickness of 1”. 24” on center = Sometimes used for commercial applications such as docks and boardwalks; wider joist spacing requires greater deck board thickness.
Should I use 2x4 or 2x6 for deck?
Most builders stick to using a minimum of 2x6s for deck floor joists. If you want to add guardrails and stairs, you need at least 2x10s. 2×4 and 2×6 joists are ideal for ground-level decks without guards.
How far can a 2x8 joist span?
Depending on various factors, the maximum span for a 2×8 floor joist is 16' 6”. The maximum span for roof rafters is 23' 9”. For headers, the maximum span is 11' 2”. Finally, a single deck beam has a maximum span of 5' 11” and double maxes out at 8' 9”.
How much weight can a 2x8 beam support?
Weight supported by a double or triple wood headers.Span (feet)Weight Supported (lb)2 x 2" x 6"3 x 2" x 8"422505850616804690839903 more rows
How far can 2x8 span 12?
Max. Live Load 30 lbs/ft2 (1436 N/m2)Maximum Span (ft - in)Nominal Size (inches)Joist Spacing Center to Center (inches)Lumber Grade2 x 102415' - 0"2 x 121224' - 8"1621' - 4"10 more rows
How far can 2x8 span 12?
Max. Live Load 30 lbs/ft2 (1436 N/m2)Maximum Span (ft - in)Nominal Size (inches)Joist Spacing Center to Center (inches)Lumber Grade2 x 102415' - 0"2 x 121224' - 8"1621' - 4"10 more rows
Can you build a deck without beams?
Does Your Deck Need Beams? Yes, if you are building a deck above ground level, you need beams! Of course, it is possible to build a deck without beams, and, in some states, building codes aren't very strictly enforced or different from place to place, but the building codes exist for a reason.
How big should a deck ledger board be?
As a general rule, you should use the same size of board for the ledger as you plan to use for the joists. You can use a larger board, however, if it allows for a better connection to the house framing. Calculate the length as 3 inches less than the width of the deck framing.
How far can you span a 2x10?
How Far Can a 2×10 Beam or Header Span? A 2×10 beam – made up of two 2x10s nailed together – can span up to 11' without support beneath a deck that is 4' wide. For a more normal-sized deck, the same beam can span 8', supporting a deck that is 8' wide. You can also triple a 2×10 beam.
How many feet should I use for a 2x8 deck?
Should I use 2x8 or 2x10 for deck? In general terms, joists spaced 16 inches on center can span 1.5 times in feet their depth in inches. A 2x8 up to 12 feet ; 2x10 to 15 feet and 2x12 to 18 feet. The larger the deck, the larger the joists. For upper-level decks, 2x10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections.
How far out should I put 2x8 beams?
If you are worried you can triple the 2x8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13. How much weight can a 2x8 support?
How far can a double ply beam span?
When supporting joists that span 12 feet with no overhang beyond the beam, a double ply beam can span in feet a value equal to its depth in inches. A double 2x12 beam can span 12 feet; a (2) 2x10 can span 10 feet and so on.
Can you use 2x10 lumber for decking?
Furthermore, can you use 2x10 for deck boards? There is certainly no problem using the 2x10s for any of the structural framing of the deck. Using 2x10 treated lumber for decking is another matter entirely. I would not recommend them for decking. The larger the growth rings the more unstable the lumber is.
Installing Beams for Cut Corners
When installing wrap around beams position the overlap correctly by following the numbered pattern above.
Let in Beams
Where a beam meets a brick or stone wall and is cantilevered too far off of the nearest support post, code dictates the beam be “let in”. The brick or stone is cut out to allow the beam to extend past the face. The end of the beam is then supported by the brick or stone underneath its end.
Framing Using Beamless Substructure
In cases where the deck is less than 17” above grade, the framing is constructed without using a beam. Simply attach a double 2x8 “face plate” against the outside face of your posts using 5” lag bolts, at the same height and level with the ledger against the house, so that the two pieces mirror each other.
What is a joist in a deck?
Joists are the repeated structural members that are used to build a deck frame. The minimum size joist to be used in deck construction depends on the number of footings and beams that will be installed.
Why is it important to have a deck?
And while it’s important to have a deck that’s aesthetically pleasing to you, the most vital part about your deck is making sure it’s structurally sound. That includes knowing the difference between a joist and a beam and what purpose they serve to your deck and its functionality and safety.
Can you stretch a string across a composite deck?
This can sometimes cause an uneven surface. That’s why stretching a string across the joist spacing for composite deck boards can help detect spots that may be higher than others. These spots can be addressed with a power hand planer to give you a nicer, smoother surface for the deck of your dreams.
Do you need to install stair stringers on composite decking?
If you are installing composite decking over an existing frame, you may need to install new intermediate joists or stair stringers to meet the installation requirements. Since most composite products aren’t as inflexible as their wood counterparts, they don’t hide imperfections in the framing quite as well.
