Can I cantilever a freestanding deck?

Free-standing deck joists can also cantilever beyond drop beams at each end, extending the reach of a joist. For example, using DCA 6, 2×10 southern-pine joists at 16 in. on center have an allowable span of 14 ft. between beam faces.

How far can a beam cantilever on a deck?





*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 out can a cantilever go?

The American Wood Council states that cantilevers are limited to 1/4 the span of the joists. Joist Spacing (o.c.) Maximum allowable overhang cannot exceed 1/4 of the actual main span.

How do you frame a freestanding deck?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And nail the adjacent joists directly to the joist that i just installed with the bracket that makes this entire thing fully secure.

How do you frame a cantilevered deck?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So a critical rule of thumb when cantilevering a deck is for every foot that you come out you need to go back into the building two feet.

How do you attach a cantilever to a deck?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The new decking and here i have it underneath the ledger. And the joist you can always move it over. And then support it with a cantilever. So again some more ideas.

How far can a cantilever extend without support?

According to the new span tables and IRC provisions, cantilevers can extend up to one-fourth the backspan of the joist. This means that joists, such as southern pine 2x10s at 16 inches on-center, spanning 12 feet are allowed to cantilever up to an additional 3 feet (see illustration, below).

How do you extend a deck with a cantilever?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Back as far away from that retaining wall as possible and make as few as possible so we have two large footings that are about five feet back from this retaining wall.

How do you frame a cantilever balcony?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: We're going to need some hangers back here to support the floor joists and of course the way that the system here is designed to support the cantilever beam at the end.

Do freestanding decks need footings?



According to the main code provision for footings, the only requirement for building a deck that is freestanding is that it must have a minimum footing depth of 12 inches below the undisturbed ground surface. There is no need to extend a footing below the frost line, as is required for standard decks.

How do you support a deck without posts?

Instead of using footings, adding a level of gravel will give you the drainage aspect you are looking for. You can then add a frame of wood that anchors in concrete blocks that sit in the gravel, creating your new deck. Concrete blocks won’t rot, making them an ideal option for those who don’t want to use wood.

Can you build a deck without a beam?

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.

Can you build a deck without joists?



The most common alternative to using joist hangers is a ledger strip. This technique requires a plank of wood to be secured to the outside wall to create a “ledge” where the joists would rest for support.

Can deck joists touch the ground?

If your decks’ joist is touching the ground, they need to be sufficiently treated to allow for ground contact. Even if you are not burying your joist in the ground. A deck less than 8” with 2×8 joist will be in contact with the ground.

Does a ground level deck need joist hangers?

Are Joist Hangers Necessary? No, joist hangers are not necessary.

Is it better to screw or nail joist hangers?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Don't use deck screws flooring screws travel screws don't use anything but an approved nail or screw for your hangers.

How far apart should joists be on a floating deck?



How Far Apart Should You Space Deck Joists? The short answer: deck joists are typically spaced either 12 inches or 16 inches apart, on center. (On-center means the length from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist, rather than a gap from edge to edge).

How many deck blocks do I need for a 10X12 deck?

A 10 x12 floating deck needs six deck blocks.



Six deck blocks can hold over 12 000 lbs, twice as much as the deck’s designed weight.

How many piers do I need for a 10X12 shed?

To give you an idea of the total, if you are constructing a 10 ft. x 12 ft. shed, and are creating 16 piers, that will cost approximately $1,000. However, the actual cost will vary if your piers need to be deeper or if you chose not to place the piers based on 4-foot spans.

How far apart should deck blocking be?

4′ to 6′ apart



1. Space. Solid wood blocking should be equally spaced in rows, with a maximum of 4′ to 6′ apart.