How far can a deck beam extend past a post?

The American Wood Council’s Wood Frame Construction Manual states that beams can generally cantilever up to 1/4 their span over a post. This design criterion is generally limited to beams supporting equivalent joist lengths in its span as in it’s cantilevered sections.

How far apart should support beams be on a deck?





Most decks use 16″ on center spacing for joists. Most decking is not strong enough to support wider spans than 16″. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12″ on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans.

Where is the beam on a deck?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You'll likely need to use one of three common types of beam a solid beam a multi ply beam or two single solid beams connected on each side of the post. For beam to post connections.

How much overhang should a deck beam have?

*Beams may cantilever at each end up to ¼ of the of the actual beam span. For example, a 16′ beam span can cantilever a maximum of 4′.

How far can a deck overhang the beam?

Maximum allowable overhang cannot exceed 1/4 of the actual main span.

Where do you put posts on a deck?





There are several ways to set deck posts; we recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. Set footers a minimum of 6” below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures.

How far can a 4X8 beam span between posts?

Dimensional Lumber Deck Beam Span Chart

Joist Spans
Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, Redwood, Cedars, Ponderosa Pine, Red Pine 4X6 5′-3″
4X8 7′-0″
4X10 8′-4″
4X12 9′-8″

How many posts do I need for a 12×16 deck?

As a guide, if you choose to use 20-foot boards, you will need to purchase 22 of these boards. Similarly, 18-foot boards will require 24 boards, 16-foot boards will require 27 boards, 14-foot boards will require 31 boards, 12-foot boards will require 37 boards and 10-foot boards will require 44 boards.

How do you install deck post and beam?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You can drive some through bolts all the way through the holes that are provided. That will give some additional support. You would just look at the load tables for the piece of hardware.

How far can a beam span without support?



Some manufacturers limit their beams to 60′ due to transportation issues, while others have the capability to manufacture beams up to 80′ long. So, the longest unsupported span possible using LVL would be 80-feet. Typically, though, it is common for a continuous LVL span to be between 20′ and 30′.

What is the maximum distance between deck posts?

Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.

Can I use 2×6 for deck beams?

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).

What size beam do I need for a 12 foot span?



Thus, for a 12 foot span, you will need atleast 3-2×10 or 6×10 size of wood beam. For a 12-foot spans, the wood beam has to be at least 10 inches in depth and 6″ in width (3-2×10) used for residential building, wood frame structure or projects.

Should deck boards overhang fascia?

A one to two inch overhang beyond the outer fascia board is sufficient. This means the installed deck boards should have at least 1.75 to 2.75” overhang before the fascia is installed.

Should I leave a gap between deck boards?

The amount of space between deck boards should be anywhere from ¼” to 3/8” inch. You want plenty of space for water to flow between the boards and to allow small debris to fall to the ground. Deck board spacing greater than 3/8” of an inch can become problematic.

What is the correct way to lay decking boards?

What is the correct way to lay decking? Any decking board manufacturer or professional will tell you: “The proper way to install a decking board is ridge side down.” The ridges are designed to allow for airflow, to stop moisture sitting in the ridge, and allow for a stronger structure.

Do I have to stagger deck boards?



Staggering the deck boards decreases the number of screws or nails going into one joist, which can weaken or rot the joist more quickly. Staggering the joints strengthens the deck by spreading the seams across more joists instead of placing the stress on only one.

Do you screw deck boards to every joist?

Each deck board should be fastened with two screws at each point where the board crosses a joist to ensure the stability and durability of your deck’s surface. Boards should be fastened to rim joists with three screws.

Where do you start when laying deck boards?

In most cases, it’s best to start with a full board on the outside edge of the deck and work toward the house so the odd board is less visible. Then measure when you’re 4 to 5 ft. away from the house and adjust the gap sizes to be sure the last board is a consistent width.