How much space should be between deck joists?

16″





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.

Should ledger be larger than joists?

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 do I attach deck joists to ledger?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Into the joist. And then into the ledger board so first off when you put a joist in it's critical that you be tight up against the ledger board.

How do you hang a joist at the end of a ledger?

You cannot use a standard joist hanger at the end of a ledger, as it’s cut flush with the edge of the ledger board. A standard joist hanger requires an extra 1.5″ of space to nail to the ledger. When laying out after the ledger has been temporarily attached, measure and mark as described above.

Are 2×6 OK 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).

What accounts for roughly 90% of all deck collapses?

About 90% of deck collapses occurred as a result of the separation of the deck ledger board from the house, allowing the deck to swing away from the house. It is very rare for deck floor joists to break mid-span. Many more injuries are the result of rail failure, rather than complete deck collapse.

How much clearance is needed if a deck is supported by a ledger?

The maximum gap between the face of the ledger board and face of the wall sheathing shall be ½”. Ledgers shall be flashed or caulked to prevent water from contacting the house band joist (see DCA 6, Figures 14 and 15). Lag screws and bolts shall be staggered per DCA 6, Figure 19.

Can I use a 2×8 for a ledger board?

He can add an additional board attached to the ledger and use lag screws as indicated. Using 1/2″x5″ lag screws to screw through the existing ledger board and into the floor band would work and then the new 2×8 would be considered part of the ledger instead of just a board secured to the ledger.

Does deck ledger need to be one piece?



The ledger board doesn’t have to be one continuous board. It can be a series of broken sections if it is solidly attached. This will require extra bolts and installing a 2x nailer across the top of the vent to secure the decking along the house wall.

Should deck rim joist be doubled?

It is advisable to increase the rigidity and strength of your deck’s rim or perimeter in order to reduce bounce and provide a solid foundation for your rail system. This can be accomplished in a couple of ways. You may want to install double rim joists across long sections to respond to the flexibility of the material.

Do you need blocking between deck joists?

Blocking, according to the building code, is required at the open end between joists to prevent rotation or at 8-foot maximums if the joists are greater than 2×12 in dimensions. Most builders, though, recognize that blocking every 4 to 6 feet unifies the frame and improves structural strength.

Do you use joist hangers on both ends?



Joist hangers are preferable to both toe-nailing and end-nailing. Joist hangers provide greater shear force support to joists, as the hanger allows for both face nailing and toe-nailing into ledger boards and rim joists.

How far can a 2×6 decking span without support?

How Much Weight Can a 2×6 Support Horizontally? A 2×6 can support up to 50 pounds per square foot of weight without sagging with a maximum span of about 12 feet when spanning a distance horizontally, with the 2×6 standing in a vertical position. This number includes both live and dead weight.

How far can a 2×6 joist span without support?

A general rule of thumb for joist span is 1-1/2 times a board’s depth in feet, however, it’s not that simple. The distance a 2×6 can span is determined by the species, grade, location, use, load, and spacing. Based on building codes, a 2×6 can span anywhere from 2′-1” to 20′-8” depending on the affecting factors.

Can deck joists be 24 inches on center?

Decking manufacturers may recommend anywhere between 12 and 16 inches for commercial decks and 12 to 24 inches for residential decks.

How far can you span a 2×8 for a deck?



In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet. Based on all factors though, a 2×8 joist span is 7′-1” to 16′-6”, and a rafter 6′-7” and 23′-9”. In this guide, we’ll explain what span means in terms of construction, factors that impact the span, and how much weight a 2×8 can support.

How far can deck boards overhang joists?

How Far Can Deck Boards Overhang the Joists? No matter what material you select for your decking, the overhang should never extend more than the ⅓ the width of the board. The greater the distance from the fasteners and support, the more likely the ends will bend or splay.

Should my deck be 16 or 24 center?

Having a solid frame is key to an even decking surface that doesn’t bow over time. As a rule of thumb, most decks will require 16″ on center joist spacing, which means there is 16″ from the center of one joist to the other.

How far can you span a 2×10 deck joist?

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.

Can I use 2×8 for deck joists?



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 2×8 deck beam should be installed to support the joists along the outside. The joists will then extend over the beam in a cantilever position.