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The deck ledger is the deck floor rim board attached to the house, and it should be positively connected to the floor structure of the main building with bolts or lag screws, not nails. The main objective of this article is to alert property owners and code officials to decks with “nailed-only” deck ledger connections.
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.
What is a ledger plate used for?
noun Carpentry. a strip of wood laid flat across the tops of studding as a support for joists.
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 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.
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.
Can you put ledger board over siding?
Never install a ledger board over the top of siding no matter what you hear, this can weaken the connection. Wood or concrete siding will have to be cut away using a circular saw. Set the blade depth so you won’t cut into the house sheathing below the siding.
When would you use a ledger board?
The ledger is made of the same material as the rest of the framing—usually pressure-treated lumber. Some builders install the ledger first, before they lay out for the footings and dig the post holes. They then use the ledger as the basic point of reference for determining footings, posts and all the framing.
How do you attach a ledger board to a house for a patio cover?
Attach the ledger with 1/2-inch-diameter lag screws or bolts every 16 inches (or as specified by local building codes). Slip stainless-steel washers between the ledger and the siding to allow water to flow behind the ledger. If you can’t get behind the joist to cinch down nuts, use lag screws.
Can you attach a ledger board to studs?
Mike Guertin (on Instagram @mike_guertin), a builder and remodeler in East Greenwich, R.I., and a presenter at JLC Live, responds: Yes, it’s technically possible to fasten a deck ledger to the narrow faces of 2-by studs rather than to a solid rim joist.
Is a joist hanger stronger than nailing?
Joist hangers are better because they allow for more accurate placement of joists. They also allow for toe-nailing, plus support the underside of the joist. This makes the hanger stronger than a toe-nail. While joist hangers are an expense, the ease and increased strength make them a better choice.
Can deck support hot tub?
In general, most decks can withstand 100 lbs per square foot. So if a hot tub like the one in the example is under that weight, the average deck should be able to support it. It is always wise to contact a professional to get an accurate estimate of what your deck can safely handle.
How long should ledger screws be?
Your bolts or screws should be long enough to extend at least ½” past the board you are attaching to. They are usually installed in a zig-zag pattern.
Can you use Tapcons for ledger board?
It probably did not equate to us getting many new products but there was a lot of good information regarding fasteners and joist hangers. 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 are decks attached to houses?
A deck ledger board is used when attaching a deck to a house. It supports both the deck joists, as well as bolsters the framing of the deck.
Can a 2×6 be used as a ledger board?
2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Joist hangers are used to attach the ends of joists to the face of a beam or a ledger board.
Can a ledger board be cantilevered?
Decks typically shouldn’t be attached to cantilevered floors*. The deck ledgerboard is connected to the house with lag screws, which are attached to a 1″ engineered rim board. The rim board is fully supported below by either a wall or a foundation. That’s good stuff.
Do you need to attach deck to house?
Without any solid attachment a house, your deck will sway and wobble. It needs bracing, especially if it is high off the ground.
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.
Can a floating deck be attached to house?
No, you cannot attach a floating deck to a 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.
