Deck Installations

[Bruce M. Graham]

http://trex.com/

[kelliott]

Barry, you posted a link 2-3 weeks ago here, and I just found it during a search for deck info. and it's so good I had to reply, even if it's late! Amazingly, it's for Johnson County KS, where I am, so it's perfect! And it's a very good pdf file. I downloaded it, and it's going to be resident on my desktop as a reference from now on. Thanks for a great compact reference!

[rnewman1]

Great info. Thanks

[psisler]

I have been building decks for 35 years. I have ALWAYS spaced my balusters at 4" OC, not apart, this gives a closer setting of the balusters than code requires. Also, the foot rail or bottom rail for the handrail system shall be no more that 4" off the deck to the bottom of the rail. We use a piece of 2x4 wood as a jig for proper spacing of the foot rail as well.

There is a new product out called "DECK BLOCKS". This device is made from polycarbonate. It was designed and invented from a guy right here that used to work for NASA. The DECK BLOCK is an inch and a half wide and comes in sizes from 6-12 inches for the ledger. The DECK BLOCK is attached to the structure/rim joist using galvanized 3" screws or 16D galvanized nails. The ledger is then attached over the DECK BLOCKS as to allow for any moisture to pass down the side of the wall to negate any possibility of moisture being trapped in the ledger/siding.

The ledgers that I attach are attached using FASTENMASTER "LEDGERLOCK" Screws. these are hex head and come in 3 3/4" and 5" lengths. These screws have a much higher duty rating and shear factor than standard lag bolts and do not corrode as they do.

As Inspectors you will see all of these if you have not already as well as a myriad of new Simpson products used in these areas. Many States and Counties are accepting and allowing these new products due to their testing and on-site durability.

Thanks for the Residential Decks info as well.

[Robert J. OConnor]

Here are some more good links to deck construction and inspection/maintence ...

http://www.nadra.org/consumers/inspection_manual.html

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10280.shtml

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/document-lists/decklist.html

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10360.shtml

http://www.dickseibert.com/Woeste.pdf