Outdoor deck/girder and posts

[DFB]

Well GJ I have been more busy than I want to be at my age rocking and taping an entire 5 room house by myself since after the new year started, but now that Spring is springing I also have to build a 10 X 38 ft deck on the back side of the house. And I am grabbing the PT lumber right now, getting the best prices (still off season here in VT) before it possibly rockets up AGAIN

So my plan... I'm joisting 2x8 x10 16"oc and figure on 5 posts 7 ft apart for a 36 ft built up support girder approx. 7-8 ft out from the ledger board

So what the consensus on that beam and post configuration, is 6x6 post and triple 2x10 overkill and just added expense and would triple 2 x8 beam be plenty sufficient there.

Is 4 x4 post and double 2x 8 too small. What about doubled up 10's. Its the post size I am mainly concerned about. Does this even meet general code?

Most of the posts will less than 2 ft high but the one end will be closer to 5ft the way the ground slopes away

Have at it you guys

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm no carpenter, but I'd think that would be something to have desgined by an engineer...

Tommy

 

[joey1320]

You can check the American Wood Council site for span charts. Also, your city or county may have specific requirements for such builds.

 

[ant.foste]

Here is a good resource for you to review: https://www.decks.com/how-to/articles/beam-span-chart-table

Have your cantilever at 8-9 feet of your 10' span.
6x6" are great. Triple 2x10's will depend on where you place your cantilever beam, so review the link I've posted.

 

[ItsNemo]

See attached.

2x8 double on 7 foot spacing of posts is well within the tables. You could almost get away with 4 posts rather than 5, easily if you triple up.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I'd go with the heavier frame. Less flex is always better. My smaller deck is 2x12 joists on 12" centers, on triple 2x12 girders, on 6x6 posts.

 

[James-W]

I'd go with the heavier frame. Less flex is always better. My smaller deck is 2x12 joists on 12" centers, on triple 2x12 girders, on 6x6 posts.

Are you parking your car on the deck?

 

[kaymccampbell]

Are you parking your car on the deck?

They tell me it'll hold a loaded F350. I like solid.

 

[James-W]

They tell me it'll hold a loaded F350. I like solid.

Well, I must say, you certainly have a solid deck.

 

[mmb617]

I've always gone by a chart similar to what's been linked in this thread. The first deck I built 35 years ago is still in use, so I think that's adequate.

If you intend to overbuild to the extent some here are advising at today's prices I hope you have a very deep wallet.

 

[DFB]

Geez Kay that is overkill for sure (considering I only have a small SUV to park on mine)would be more than I need with 12" joist spacing but was considering a small hot tub so have tossed around the xtra stabilty

The first deck I built for my buddy was built probably close to 35 years also it's still standing also and the house has been sold twice

I wanted to farm this job out in a way to some younger guys I'll be 63 in couple of months especially for digging the post holes to 4ft or better. First guy that called me back tried to quote me 15-20k. I laughed and he hung up. I figure $3500, 4k tops in all materials with me doing labor

We have a 24" post hole digger for planting trees at the orchard farm I probably use that and the 4320 for the holes.

Thks for the spec links, still havent quite decided but leaning toward 6x6 and triple 2 x10

 

[Git]

I saved this pic from a couple of years ago - it was from a pro installing a deck on the side of a hill and I thought it may come in handy at some point if I ever found myself in that situation