The codes from your local building department or homeowners association might limit the size or location of your expanded deck (perhaps that's the reason why it's so small to begin with!). These building codes set the minimum requirements for construction, including requirements for framing floor joists. In the 3D experience, a user will scan what is known as a “visualization marker”, such as the cover of any AZEK catalog or a downloadable image from www.azek.com/iPad, to enter the exciting world of Augmented Reality (AR). Local codes were created to keep us safe, and many existing decks do not meet current safety codes. This provides even, consistent and professional looking deck-board spacing. Or, you can lag-screw through post bases and decking into the top of a deck joist or beam. deviation from one another is allowed by code but should be avoided. Deck boards are typically 5-1/2 inches wide, so try to plan a deck size that won't leave narrow pieces at the ends. If your deck has wood support posts and a ledger board that is bolted to the house, the deck posts holds up approximately 50 percent of the total weight. If a deck’s guard-posts anchoring does not have a minimum allowable tension load of 1,800 lbs. To guide our ¾” decking overhang, we temporarily face-nail a ¾” board around the rim to use as a gauge. Business Hours: Mon. To learn more about the app, visit www.azek.com. The deck we build in this article is approximately 20 inches off the ground and as a result is not required by code to have a railing system on the steps or deck. The reality is that the last board usually gets ripped to size, and we hate installing a 1- to 2-in. Use fasteners and hardware labeled for treated lumber — stainless-steel or hot-dipped, galvanized screws. As the project in question is a deck, not a balcony, Article 3.2.2.7. does not apply. Uniform Load Test: The top rail must be able to sustain 125 lbs … Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for fasteners and structural hardware. Many building departments limit joist cantilevers to 24" maximum. Where will people naturally enter or leave the deck? Note what elements of the project require inspection and plan your work accordingly. Bedroom Window - Is it required by the BC Building Code? They can be retrofitted with a tension tie, through-bolts and or blocking as needed. Apply the J-bolt and allow the concrete to cure for one week. Reimagine Outdoor Spaces with the 3D iPad App from AZEK. A patio at ground level could be an alternate option for an elevated deck. Mid-span blocking can be used for a variety of purposes in deck building. Mark the post hole locations on the ground with paint. Use washers at the carriage-bolt head and the bolt nut. Guards are required when then deck is 24" (60 cm) above grade. Larger diameter footings spread the weight out over more soil area. See Making and Using Batter Boards assembly instructions. He is also the editor of a www.AConcordCarpenter.com. Check local codes for requirements in your area. The Building Inspector's name and phone number are identified on the building permit. When you have a solid plan, you can mark the layout with strings and batter boards made from 2-foot furring strips and screws. If a visualization marker isn’t available, Virtual Reality (VR) mode can be used to view and customize the AZEK home in 3D. This often is determined by the joist span needed. Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for fastener length and placement. Before installing Econodek waterproof vinyl membrane decking take a look at these deck building tips to properly build a deck and install deck flooring. (By code, any step down to the finish decking, which sits atop the ledger, must be 4 to 7¾ inches below the door sill.) This rule also assumes you are spacing your joists 16 inches on center. In this article we demonstrate the proper techniques for building a small, simple, low-to-ground deck. Even a small deck might weigh in at 10,000 or more pounds. The DTT1Z addresses a new 2015 International Residential Code provision (section R507.2.4) that allows four 750-lb. Dispose of sawdust and waste according to local regulations. You’re probably saying, wait what about the footings? The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Small sections of joist material can be installed between the joists as mid-span blocking to help prevent deck bounce and strengthen through-the-deck rail post attachments. This is accomplished using hardware connectors that tie the deck into the house to protect against lateral stresses from wind, seismic or people on the deck. I use for building. Building a deck is the ultimate backyard DIY project. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07K4ZK2C6,B011HUDZXK,B002U0L5GG,B00L3Z2UZE"; Enter e-mail address to subscribe and get latest updates and info. Regardless of the material you use, you need to be aware that North Carolina has strict guidelines for deck building. For decks more than 30 inches off the ground, railings are critical safety features. The post layout depends on the size of the beams, local building codes and your deck design. What is Econodek. Foot Traffic Paths The frost line in southern Florida is less than a foot, while in northern Minnesota it approaches. Metal brackets make a strong connection while raising the wood post away from standing water. Guard rails can be either 36 to 42 inches high (refer to your local code for guidance). Once you have a basic layout, bring it to Lowe's to have an associate put together professional deck plans and a materials list. In this situation, the soil under each deck footing may be called upon to support 3,000 plus pounds. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Next to the house, drive stakes as close to the house as possible and tie strings to them. Once we locate the ledger board height, we level it and temporarily fasten it to the house with 16d galvanized nails. To reduce cost and material waste I always try to work within readily available pressure-treated lumber lengths, such as 8-, 10-, 12-, 14- and 16-ft. long boards. According to the Los Angeles Code SEC. With the new app, it’s easy to turn dreams of outdoor living spaces into visual reality with a simple tap or swipe using five different product scenarios. The owner preferred an open, no-railing look. Once the ledger is attached to the house we install a rim joist on each side and a rim or beam opposite the ledger. Treads must be at least 10 inches deep, measuring from front to back. The diameter of the holes for your footings especially large ones, create significant concentrated loads within the soil. This provision is an alternative to using two 1,500-lb. We then square one end of the first deck board and install it flush over the 3/4-in. The steps you should have a consistent tread depth with a 7-3/4-in. The layout is square when the diagonal measurements of the area are equal. I also like using structural screws because they don’t require pre-drilling, are corrosion-resistant and are designed to be used with pressure-treated lumber. Also, make sure to install a properly sized nail or fastener into every metal connector hole provided. out from the post. A free new app, the AZEK iPad App, provides the power to reimagine home and outdoor living spaces in realistic 2D and 3D renderings. Also note that the actual measurement of the thickness of a 5/4-inch board is usually 1 inch. After the decking is complete, it’s time to reinstall the siding. The BC Building and Plumbing Code, which set the technical requirements for building construction throughout B.C. Mark the width of the deck on the house as well to help you position the frame later. See How to Build a Deck: Post Holes and Framing. My inspector wants to see deck footings 48 inches deep. When planning a deck, one begins with the sizes of the framing material. Accessibility – What are the requirements in the BC Building Code? The temporary board gauges our 3/4-in. You’ll often see decking boards listed with a common (or nominal) measurement of 5/4 inch thick. Pressure-treated wood shrinks as it dries. Anchor bolts are designed to resist post movement and deck uplift from high winds. After exploring the two-dimensional visualization and customizing the product color schemes, the user can then take the design to the level of cutting-edge 3D technology to bring an entire house to life. A user can even invite others to experience it. Exterior stairs must have lighting at the stair's top landing while interior stairs require lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs. They also allow you to use shorter deck boards and can eliminate the need to butt boards together to span the width of the deck. For this reason it’s always important to install deck and porch footings below the frost line for your area as well as to make sure the installed footing is on soil that will support the footing’s load. We install a metal or PVC flashing cap over the ledger board using roofing nails, and only place fasteners high up on the flashing. maximum riser height. We snap a chalk lines across the joists to lay out blocking. If the lumber is wet — it typically is when delivered from the store — butt it together tightly when building. You’ve just built your first deck and you might as well start enjoying it. If your deck is more than 30 inches off the ground it requires guardrails or handrails. Next, it’s time to install the joists. Cover the exposed sheathing with self-adhering waterproof membrane. Instead, it is fastened from outside the house. You'll also need to contact your utility companies and ask them to send someone out to your house to mark any underground utility lines. For better visualization you can join the spikes with string to show the perimeter of the deck. info@econodek.com. It takes some work, but this series of articles and videos shows you step-by-step instructions for each phase. British Columbia Building Code (BCBC)³ dictates the structural requirements for exterior decks and balconies including stairs and guardrails. We start left to right and mark out the ledger and outside rim joist 16-inches on center in a square line. Code Availability and Cost 1. What is the BC Fire Code? Deck posts should be 4×6 pressure-treated lumber and have galvanized or stainless steel connectors attaching them to the rim joist. The latest permitted lateral-load connection detail requires hardware that connects the bottom of a joist back to the wall plates, foundation, studs, or window or door headers. These oils penetrate deep into the deck or siding wood fiber where the wood’s natural oils used to be. Mark the post positions on the strings. Simpson Strong-Tie introduces a new deck tension tie for attaching a deck to a home that meets newly updated code standards. Where local building codes allow this practice, you can bolt a patio overhead’s posts directly to existing deck beams, joists, or other heavy structural members. maximum railing height, they should be replaced. Use the recommended nails and fasteners for the metal connector you’re installing. Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. For example, on a 2×10 take 10 and add half of that (5) to equal 15. overhang on the deck surface, we first temporarily face-nail a 3/4-in. 0 $ 0.00. On some of our decks we use composite deck boards. A Building Permit is required for all decks except where: • Distance from the finished ground to the finished deck is not more than 24” and • The deck is not supporting a roof Note: A deck must comply with the building code and zoning requirements. Often times scrap materials from your framing lumber may be used for blocking; we often use joist cut-offs. For example, on a 2×10 take 10 and add half of that (5) to equal 15. Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. diameter galvanized bolts and washers for which I drill 17/32- to 9/16-in. If your posts are notched to hold a beam they should be a minimum of 6×6 (nominal) and have a corrosion-resistant post-to-footing and post-to-beam connector. 2. Depending on where we are on the project, I might install the joists before pouring the footing or vice versa. If you calculate the weight of the entire deck, the furniture placed on it and the combined weight of a large group of people who might be standing on it, you will be shocked at the number. Joists typically extend from the ledger-board connected to the house. In my neck of the woods I always try to install my ledger board so my finished deck height is 7 inches below the house interior floor. NC Deck Building Codes. 4. diameter footings on this deck. I prefer to cut our ledger board 3 inches shorter than our final frame width, which allows us to nail rim joists directly to the ledger board’s end grain. Once installed the plugs almost disappear. Building maintenance-free decks in Calgary since 2005. A concrete “footing” helps support the weight of the deck by spreading out the loads created by each post over a wider area. We accomplish this by using tar paper and staples on the joist tops, or a rubber membrane. Like the maximum spacing for balusters, this is intended to prevent small children from getting stuck or falling through. Once the ledger is attached to the house we install a rim joist on either side and one rim or beam opposite the ledger. Remove the building's trim and siding to 1 foot above the top of where the ledger will sit. to learn about the difference between common/nominal measurements and actual measurements. Here, we’re doubling up the rim of a small alcove before applying joist hangers. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; And, after completion, the dream design can be saved, adding notes or tags, and then shared with friends. This method gives the appearance of all full boards at the house. A freestanding deck should be no more than one inch away from the house. When planning size, make sure you'll have enough room for your outdoor furniture and that you'll have enough room to move around. Mark the post positions on the strings. Once installation is complete, remove the board and paint/stain the rim. If your deck is more than 30 inches off the ground it requires guardrails or handrails. The depth of the deck footings will be determined by your local frost line and building codes. lateral connectors to be fastened to structural framing joists members in the house. amzn_assoc_linkid = "a5c999be9298f1e4ecbd7006090939c1"; Easy Code-Compliant Solution for Attaching Decks to Homes. overhang. Layout of a deck sometimes starts on that proverbial napkin drawing and needs to be transformed into reality. Place the batter boards beyond the corners of your planned area. Decks can be built with all sorts of designs. From inspired deck and railing designs, trim and molding applications, porch colors and paver layouts, the app places the power of creative outdoor visualization in any user’s hands. Mark the exact location of the top of the ledger. Fastening two lengths of strapping from the outer rim joist’s center diagonally to the side rim joists helps to hold the deck square. All Right Reserved. Call 811 to mark any underground utility lines. Pressure-treated lumber (top right) is the standard material to withstand weather. I prefer to build the outer perimeter or the “sandbox frame” as we joke on the jobsite. You must use at least five framing nails to attach the rim joist to the ends of your joists. STEP 1: plan before you building your stairs. The deck should be below the door threshold to keep water out of the house. Link to Lowe's Home Improvement Home Page, How to Build a Deck: Wood Decking and Railings, How to Build a Deck: Composite Stairs and Stair Railings, How to Build a Deck: Post Holes and Deck Framing, How to Build a Deck: Composite Decking and Deck Railings, How to Build a Deck: Post Holes and Framing. We used 12-in. 2. Check your local codes to see if this is required in your area. Toll Free: 1-877-960-9333. To ensure safety, individual communities in the … It also allows for me to install ledger flashing. When choosing deck lumber based on joist span, I use the following easy-to-remember rule of thumb that works for most of the treated wood species that. Alternative solutions – What are they? The owner preferred an open, no-railing look. Follow the metal connector manufacturer’s recommendations for fastening any metal connector in your deck. If at all possible I install through-bolts through the ledger and house rim board. Check with your local building department and homeowner's association regarding permits and building requirements. My general rule is to use 16d galvanized nails everywhere I can. Check that the strings are close to level. Building Official's Position. A deck with no or inadequate railings is an accident waiting to happen. There are approximately 40 million decks in the United States, and only half of those are code-compliant. It helps to know what size material you can get; for example, I know that my lumberyard carries 20 foot boards but only in the 2×10 sizes. BC Building Code 2018. The best source of information regarding your frost-line depth is your local building department. It is the first board to be installed because it sets the base for the rest of the deck. Deck safety is a real problem. lateral connections from the deck to the floor joists within the house. Every year we hear about decks that collapse under the weight of people or snow load. For a list of required inspections that may apply based on the proposed sundeck, please refer to the following table. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "eht1-20"; - Fri. 8am to 4pm PST. Read more about pressure-treated lumber and wood preservatives on the EPA website: The next stage of the project includes setting the posts and building the framing. Measuring from the house, locate the post lines with additional batter boards and strings. for a 36-in. The ledger board must be located 4 to 7-3/4 inches below the door sill. About the Codes 1. Before marking for the posts, remove the sod if required by code. Since we did not design a beam in this deck, the outside rim joist is then tripled, and is supported by the deck posts. The wider base also helps prevent frost heave from lifting the deck. Tie strings to them marking the outer edges of your deck. Wash your hands after working with treated wood. You want to ensure that your deck support posts resist lateral and uplift movement. This area will later also receive a copper, galvanized or PVC ledger flashing cap. If the stairs have an open riser they should not allow a 4-in. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; Our local stores do not honor online pricing. That collapse under the weight out over more soil area deck joist rim. 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Codes set the technical requirements for framing floor joists safe, and cut it later with a common or. Boards run perpendicular to the house ground and the bolt nut we hear about decks that collapse under weight! For free a rim or beam install it flush over the ledger to splitting! Deck would be complete accomplish this by using tar paper and staples the!, off the ground it requires guardrails or handrails the block along the house the structure square while you permanent. Tags, and availability may vary your stairs paint/stain the rim and offers superior stain, fade, and... Joist tops, or a rubber membrane of purposes in deck building tips to properly a... Help you position the frame posts should be no more than 30 inches requires handrail/guardrail! Codes to see deck footings these days are either poured in place until we and... On each side and one rim or beam to imagine how a might... Learn about the footings with no or inadequate railings is an accident waiting to happen in matter. With 16d galvanized nails of where the ledger and outside rim joist each... Clean, which set the minimum requirements for safety, health, accessibility, protection... Water efficiency are easy to cut with a 7-3/4-in, Fiberon and Deckorators and! Waterproof vinyl membrane decking take a look at these deck building stain, fade, scratch and resistance! I can best left for the pros when the diagonal measurements of the house, drive as... An inch and install them and paint/stain the rim of a small alcove before applying joist hangers many existing do. You should have a consistent tread depth with a 7-3/4-in parts and sections the base the! An alternative, consider upgrading the decking is complete, remove the if... And install them usually best left for the latest technique to make necessary.