How do you support a ledger board?


Quote from Youtube video: Then remove the siding in this area. So you can tie the ledger board directly to the home's rim board floor trusses or wall studs.

How do you anchor a ledger board?





Use a wood bit to drill ½” pilot holes through the ledger board. Next, use a concrete bit to drill into the concrete wall. Install two bolts at the end of each ledger board. Hammer the sleeve anchor through the ledger board into the concrete wall.

Can I use a 2×4 ledger?

The 2×4 ledger is sufficient to support your 2×8 joists, but it needs 4 or 5 16d common nails per stud at 16″ on center to be able to carry the load if it is only carrying the floor load and no roof load.

Can you attach a ledger board to wall studs?

MiTek’s WSWH Washer Head Structural Wood Screw can be used to attach a ledger to studs directly, through 1/2″ APA rated sheathing or through one or two layers of 5/8″ gypsum wallboard (drywall).

How many lag bolts for a ledger board?

The International Residential Code lists two fasteners for directly attaching ledgers to a house: 1/2-inch-diameter hot-dip-galvanized hex-head machine bolts and 1/2-inch-diameter hot-dip-galvanized lag screws.

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 do you find studs on a ledger board?

Use a good quality stud finder or rap firmly on the wall and listen for a solid sound, indicating a stud is beneath. You can also check base molding or crown molding for filled nail holes, which indicate stud location. Another clue is the location of outlets and switch boxes because one side should connect to a stud.

How long should ledger 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.

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 thick should a ledger board be?



The decking is 1-inch thick, so the top of the ledger is 1 1/8 inch below the bottom of the sill.

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.

How wide should a ledger board be?

Ledger shall be a minimum of 2×8 nominal. Where guards are required, outside joists and rim joists shall be a minimum of 2×8 nominal.

Can I use a 2×8 for a ledger board?



placing a 2×10 ledger board against a 2×8 rim joist is irrelevant and should not compromise the safety of the structure at all under most conditions. Check with your local code enforcement agency and local structural engineers to be sure.

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.

What kind of wood is used for ledger boards?

Treated lumber is typically the material of choice, since the deck ledger is exposed to the elements. Select a board that is straight, with little bowing or cupping, and relatively free from splits and cracking.

Does ledger board have to be pressure-treated?

Installing the Ledger Board



The lumber for the ledger and all framing members must be pressure-treated for exterior use. The ledger will establish the height of your deck. This is an absolutely critical connection and must be installed properly to ensure the strength and safety of the deck.

Can you attach a beam to a ledger board?



From a more general engineering standpoint, the main concern with attaching a beam or girder to a ledger or a rim joist is the potential for lateral torsional buckling. This is where a long, slender beam with little to no lateral support twists under load, sometimes under its own weight.