Can a ledger board be two pieces?

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.

How far apart should lag bolts be on a ledger board?





The fasteners must be compatible with pressure-treated lumber to prevent corrosion. Typically, you will need to install your bolts alternating high and low 2″ from the top and bottom of the ledger board. As a rule of thumb, bolts can be spaced 16″ on center for supporting joist span up to 12′ in length.

How do you secure a ledger board deck?

Attaching a Ledger Board to Your House

  1. Remove Siding. Determine the outside dimensions of the framing for the deck and add ½” to 1″ to that length. …
  2. Important. …
  3. Set the Height of the Ledger Board. …
  4. Block Joists from Inside the House. …
  5. Install First Flashing Piece. …
  6. Bolt Ledger in Place. …
  7. Install Second Flashing. …
  8. Attach Joist Hangers.


How long should ledger board screws be?

Hex-head 1/2-inch hot-dipped galvanized bolts and 1/2-inch lag screws with standard cut washers (A) are the only two fastener options listed in the IRC for attaching deck ledgers. Carriage (cap head) bolts are not permitted fasteners.

Should deck joists be 2×6 or 2×8?





For upper-level decks, 2×10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards.

Can I use 2×6 for ledger board?

2×6 P. Treated bolted as / the size of your deck. It should be 6-8 inches above grade ideally, but you can get ground contact PT that can be placed closer. You want a flashing that won’t react with the larger copper content of the treatment.

What size lag screw should I use?

In general, the lag bolt you purchase should be 1/4 inch shorter than the combined width of the pieces you’re attaching. In most cases, 5/16 inch bolts will be used. But for heavier builds, you should consider topping with a 3/8 inch bolt.

Can you use Tapcons for ledger board?

Titen HD anchors (Tapcons on steroids as some call them) even in galvanized finish are not to be used in exterior application. Never to be used to attach Ledger Boards.

How much weight will a lag screw hold?



If a lag screw with a 5/16-inch shaft is installed correctly, it can withstand pull-out, or withdrawal, of up to 212 pounds in close-grain hem, fir and redwood, and up to 266 pounds in larch Douglas fir, according to information from the American Wood Council.

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.

Which is the most acceptable fastener for connecting a deck ledger to a rim joist?

lag screws



Traditionally, lag screws have been the most common method of attaching decks to buildings. To properly attach a deck ledger using 1/2″ lag screws, 5/16″ holes need to be pre-drilled through the ledger and rim joist. After that, a 1/2″ hole should be drilled through the ledger only.

What size lags for deck ledger?

½”

The proper lag screw diameter per the IRC can be verified by the fact that ½” lag screws have a hex-head that is ¾” wide. In Figure 4 below, the contractor used ½” diameter lag screws to connect the ledger through the wall sheathing into the house floor band joist.

How much weight can a ledger board hold?

The ledger is 10′ long so every foot of ledger must be designed to carry at least 200 lbs of load.

How do you attach a deck ledger to a house?



Leave a 1/8-in. gap between the end of the ledger and the ends of siding and fill it with high-quality exterior caulk to keep water from leaking behind the ends of the ledger. Anchor deck joists to the ledger with joist hangers, filling each hole with galvanized joist hanger nails rated for pressure-treated wood.

How far should posts be on a deck?

Ideal deck post spacing is 8 feet or less. The distance between deck support posts depends on the type of wood species used and the size of the joist and beam. There is no minimum span, and maximum spans can reach up to 15′.

How many footings do I need for a 16×20 deck?

Quick Attached Deck Footing Chart

Size of Deck Beam Size Number of Footings
10′ x 12′ (3) 2×8 2
12′ x 12′ (2) 2×6 3
16′ x 16′ (3) 2×8 3
20′ x 12′ (2) 2×8 3

Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?

A deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break. The photo on the left shows a post set in a bracket that has been mounted to the top of a footer. The photo on the right shows a post that has concrete poured around it, which can lead to a crack like you see here.

When building a deck How far apart should the joists be?



16 inches

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 far can a 2×8 joist span without support?

But first, generally, how far can a 2×8 span without support? 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”.

Are 2×6 strong enough 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).