Table of Contents
Can you attach a floating deck to the house?
Attaching a floating, moving deck to a solid house will cause either the deck to break off or damage the foundation of the house with the added stress of the rising and falling of the deck. For both the good of the house and the deck, never attach a floating deck to a house.
How much space should be between deck and house?
A proper connection would have a 1/2” to 3/4” gap between the deck construction and the house to allow rain and meltwater from snow to flush through; this prevents rot from forming in the deck timbers, and/or in the adjacent wood of the house framing.
Does a deck have to have a ledger board?
Yes, the deck needs to be tied to the house. You will want to install a ledge board that’s lag bolted to the structure of the house. That means through the brick/sheathing and into the rim joist. And, of course, you should use the appropriate metal hanger to tie the joists of the deck to the ledger board.
Do all decks need footers?
Large decks that are attached to the house should always have footings because they act to spread the heavy load of the deck from the surface of a support post over a large surface of the soil so the ground can adequately support it. The footings ensure that the deck will not fall, tip or rot away after a few years.
Do I need a ledger board for a deck?
The deck needs to be connected to, and built off of, a ledger board, which is attached to the wall. A deck will have to support a lot of weight — furniture, barbecue, people — so this is not the job for nails, or even screws, which do not have the sheer strength for this job.
Do I need footings for a ground level deck?
If you want to expand your outdoor living space, a ground level deck might be your best option. Since it’s not connected to a house, it can go anywhere in your yard and doesn’t require deep footings. Because it rises just inches above ground, it doesn’t need stairs or railings.
Can I build a deck directly on the ground?
Yes, you can build a deck directly on the ground, but with some conditions. A deck on the ground must be built with ground-contact wood, and the substructure needs to be adapted for minimal height. The wrong joist and beam material in contact with the ground will quickly rot, making your deck, garbage.
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.
Are Floating decks any good?
Yes, a floating deck is a good idea if the deck is low, not attached to the house or built close to trees. A floating deck will save you both time and money during construction. But a floating deck is a bad idea if the deck is tall or is attached to the house.
Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?
Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. Any decks higher than 24” require concrete piles 10” in diameter and 48” below grade. These footing size requirements are to ensure enough soil bearing to prevent the joist from sinking in the ground.
Do you need flashing when building a deck?
Without flashing, there’s nothing to prevent water from seeping behind the ledger board that connects deck framing to the house. As water travels, flashing carries it safely over the any crevices, cracks and gaps in the building’s exterior. If it’s going to work, flashing must be installed so no seams face uphill.
Can you put deck boards tight together?
Keep the butt ends as tight as possible when installing wood decking. This rule does NOT apply to composite or PVC boards which can have a large thermal expansion; enough to create a serious roller coaster effect down the length of the PVC or composite boards if you DON’T leave room for thermal expansion.
How far apart are joists for a deck?
Step 4: Make Sure Your Joists Are Spaced Correctly Deck joist spacing should never exceed 16″ on center (with the exception of MAX deck boards, which allow for maximum 24″ on center). For a more rigid feel, 12″ or less may be preferred.
Does a ledger board have 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.
How many lag bolts for a ledger board?
Since 2009, every edition of the IRC (including the anticipated 2021 edition) requires the deck ledger to be connected to the house floor band joist with ½” bolts or lag screws as shown in Table 507.9.
