deck_planning_table

include component="page" page="toolbar_tdj" editable="1" include component="page" page="TDJ3M_assignments" editable="1" Deck Tables | **Vocabulary** | Images | Report Format

**Outdoor Decks and Patios:**

Few home improvements can match a wood deck for usefulness, beauty and enhanced value to a home. For adults, patio decks offer outdoor living space for entertaining, sun bathing and dining. For children, they provide an excellent outdoor play area. But the best news about a deck is that it is an ideal home improvement construction project for the average handyman or woman. 
 * Deck Table 1: Minimum Beam Sizes **


 * Table 2: Minimum Post sizes **

beam spacing x post spacing ||  Vertical loads figured as concentric along axis. No Lateral loads considered
 * |||||||||| Load Area (sq. ft)=
 * Height (ft) || 48 || 72 || 96 || 120 || 144 ||
 * up to || 4x4 || 4x4 || 6x6 || 6x6 || 6x6 ||
 * up to || 6x6 || 6x6 || 6x6 || 6x6 || 6x6 ||


 * Deck Table 3: Recommended Spans for spaced deck boards **


 * |||||||||| **Spans in Inches** ||
 * |||||||| **Laid Flat** || **Laid on Edge** ||
 * || 5/4x4 || 5/4x6 || 2x4 || 2x6 || 2x4 ||


 * || 16 || 16/24* || 16 || 16/24* ||  ||

Although 24 inches is a safe span, undesirable deflection or springiness may occur.

Deck Table 4: Maximum allowable spans for deck joists

Joist size Joist spacing (inches) 16 24 2x8 12'-10" 10'-6" 2x10 16'-5" 13'-4" ** Deck Table 5: Railings
 * 2x6 9'-9" 7'-11"

Distance Post Cap between size size posts (inches) (inches) ** 2' to 3' 2x4 2x4 3' to 4' 2x4, 4x4 2x4, 2x6 4' to 6' 2x6, 4x4 2x6 Side rails can be nominal 1" or 2" lumber of varying widths Tables are based on lumber with 1200 psi bearing stress rating and a live load of 40 psf.