Table of Contents
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. If adding additional framing, be sure to keep all boards level and in plane across the tops.
How far apart should joists be on decking?
For residential decking, the joist space should not exceed 16 inches as measured on the centre. But if you want a more rigid feel for your decking, you can space the joist by 12 inches on the centre. Additionally, for commercial deckings, the standard joist spacing is 12 inches on the centre.
Can deck joists be 24 inches apart?
But sometimes, they can be a bit unclear when it comes to a crucial component of your deck frame – joist spacing. Decking manufacturers may recommend anywhere between 12 and 16 inches for commercial decks and 12 to 24 inches for residential decks.
How many joists do I need for a 12×12 deck?
For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists.
How far can a 2×6 decking span without support?
2-grade 2×6 joists can span up to 10 feet 9 inches from beam to beam when spaced the standard 16 inches apart with a maximum live load of 30 inches per square foot.
How far apart should Supports be for a deck?
Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.
How many joists do I need for a 20 foot deck?
A 20-foot wide deck, for example, would require two beams: one at 10 feet and one and 20 feet in order to support a deck with 2×8 joists spaced 16 inches apart.
Are 2×6 strong enough for deck joists?
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. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″.
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 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”.
Can I use 4×2 for decking joists?
4 x 2 Timber Rail / Joist These decking joists are the most common sized framing timber for decking. They provide a solid structure for fixing your decking boards too. When making your decking frame you should use a 400mm spacing between your timber joists.
How do you calculate joist spacing?
As a rule, the larger the deck, the larger the joists. For example, joists spaced 16 inches from the center of the joist next to it can span 1.5 times in feet the depth of their inches.
Can you use 4×4 for deck joists?
For most decks, 4×4 lumber is strong enough for structural posts. If a deck is raised more than 6 feet above the ground, codes may require 6×6 posts.
Can I use 2×6 for deck frame?
Or are 2x6s to small 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).
Can I use 2×8 for deck joists?
2×8 for joists will be fine, with 16″ OC. Should use 2×10 for beams but 2×8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2×8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.
Are 2×6 OK for floor joists?
Yes, 2 X 6 lumber can be used for floor joists, but the allowable clear span is only about 4 or 5 feet. Such a small span is seldom useful.
Should deck boards have a gap?
When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you’re using decking that’s already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn’t been dried down or kiln dried.
How do I calculate deck spacing?
Square footage of board spacing = (S) x Length of deck Then multiply 0.26 feet by 16 feet to get 4.16 square feet, the total area of board spacing.
