Deck Construction Guide

2) Deck Anatomy
3) Footings
5) Ledger Board
6) Ledger Board 2
8) Free Standing Frames
9) Basic Framing
10) Beams
11) Multi-Level Connections
13) Typical Stairs
14) Staircase Details
15) Staircase Details
16) Handrail Detials
17) Typical Guardrail Detials
18) Hardware

Disclaimer
The deck designer, related plans & guide are to be used as an educational guide and
not to be considered a finalized deck building plan. It is your responsibility to verify the
accuracy and compliance with your local building codes and site conditions.
Decks.com accepts no liability for any damages including personal injuries or property
losses for the information published from the decks.com deck designer. We cannot
anticipate your entire field working conditions or the characteristics of your building materials and tools. Consider your skill level and use caution and good judgement when
using this information. If you have questions or concerns consult with your local building inspector, engineer or architect. Always obtain the necessary building permits and
follow local codes and guidelines.
Be sure to follow the building plans and instructions carefully. You are responsible for
ensuring that the measurements and design are correct. Due to the size, shape, height,
site location, anticipated use and other factors you may be required to install additional
structural support and hardware including knee bracing or bridging between joists that
isnt included in the decks.com designer, related plans and construction guide. You are
responsible for verifying that the design and any modifications you make meet local
building codes.
Decks.com accepts no liability or responsibility for your design, construction or the use
of any products supplied by Decks.com.

Deck Anatomy
F

Figure 1
R

L
C

G
S

B
D

H
O

A
K

U
Q

Legend
A. Joist Hangers
B. Flashing
C. Structural Bolts
D. Joist
E. Double Rim Joist
F. Top & Bottom Rails
G. Decking
H. Blocking
I. Post Base Connector
J. Post Beam Connector
K. Beam
L. Rail Post
M. Support Post
N. Footing & Pier
O. Stringer Hanger
P. Balusters
Q. Stair Stringer
R. Rail Top Cap
S. Hand Rail
T. Stair Treads
U. Stair Risers

2 | Deck Construction Guide

N
I

Design Loads

All decks shall be designed to support a live load of 40 lbs. per square foot and
a dead load of 15 lbs. per square foot.

Wood Requirements

Unless noted otherwise in these details, all framing lumber shall be Southern
Pine, Grade #2 or better and shall be pressure treated ACQ or CA-B in accordance with American Wood-Preservers Association Standards. All lumber in
contact with the ground shall be rated as ground contact. Please note that not
all treated lumber is rated for ground contact.

Hardware & Fasteners

All hardware and fasteners (joist hangers, post anchors, mechanical fasteners,
nails, screws, bolts, etc.) shall be galvanized with 1.85 oz/sf of zinc (G-185
Coating)

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Footings
Footing Layout
B

Figure 2
A

Installing Footing Instructions

Use the 3 measurements on the footing layout plan to lay out the green A-B-C triangle shown above. Use string and
ground stakes to pull a string (blue above) 90 degrees from the house. Measure your parallel to the house measurements
from the blue string.

Footings & Piers

Post Base Connector

Pier
Footing
Depth

#4 Rebar

Footing
Figure 3

3 | Deck Construction Guide

Installing Instructions

Excavation

1) Call before you dig. Have all utilities

marked.
2) After dilling your holes clean them
out of any loose soil.
3) Pour 12 of concrete into your hole
to form the footing.
4) Bend your rebar 6 into an L shape
and insert into the center of the wet
concrete footing.
5) Let cure for 24 hours.
6) Use a 12 cardboard tube to form
for the pier centered over the footing.
7) Footing should be poured 2 above
grade.
Footing
8) After your foundations cure 48
hours you may begin to install the post
base connectors.
9)Post base connector must be installed on the center of the footing.

Footings must be 12 minimum thickness. Frost footings shall be installed

below frost line. Check with your local
building department for footing depth
requirements. All footings shall bear on
solid ground.

Concrete
Use a minimum 2,500 PSI concrete
mix for frost footing foundations.

Hardware
Concrete anchors and post base connectors shall be galvanized with 1.85
oz/sf of zinc (G-185) coating or stainless steel

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DECKING

4 | Deck Construction Guide

RAILING

LIGHTING

FASTENING
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Ledger Board

Figure 4

Figure 5

Ledger Board to House Rim Installation Instructions

1) Cut ledger board to proper length.

2) Mark the positions of joist hangers and structural screws on the ledger board.
3) Measure and mark the house siding for ledger board location.
Structural Screw
4) Cut the house siding.
5) Attach back flashing to house rim.
6) Install Z flashing behind the house siding. Overlap seams by 6.
7) Lift ledger board into place. Level the ledger board.
8) Install structural screws through the ledger board into the house rim (2) every 12 on center staggered. Screws must
penetrate beyond rim board a minimum of 1/2. Install with a low speed 1/2 drill with a 3/8 hex head driver.
9) Use silicon caulking to seal the top and sides of the ledger board.

Concrete Foundation Wall Attachment

Install using 1/2 diameter sleeve anchors with washers. Install according to manufacturers instructions. 1/2 sleeve
anchors must be embedded 2-1/2 minimum. Top of ledger board must be caulked to resistcorrosion and decay.

General

Attach the ledger board, which shall be equal to or greater than the joist size, to the existing exterior wall in accordance
with the Ledger Board to House Band Detail. When attachments are made to the existing house rim board, the rim board
shall be capable of supporting the new deck. If this cannot be verified or the conditions at the existing house differ from
the details herein, then a free-standing deck is required.

Siding & Flashing

House siding, or the exterior finish system, must be removed prior to the installation of the ledger board. Flashing
is required at any ledger board connection to a wall of wood framed construction and shall be composed of copper (attached with copper nails), stainless steel, UV resistant plastic, or galvanized steel coated with G-185 coating.

Manufactured Wood Joists

Many new homes constructed with manufactured wood I joists include a 1-1/4 manufactured solid rim board that can
support the attachment of a deck. However, older homes may be constructed with rim boards that are too thin (less than
1) to support a deck. In such cases a free-standing deck is required or additional interior blocking is needed.

Prohibited Ledger Attachments

Attachments to the ends of pre-manufactured open web joists, to brick veneers, hollow concrete block walls and house
overhangs or bay windows require additional engineering design..

5 | Deck Construction Guide

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Ledger Board 2
Framing At Chimney Or
Cantilevered Bay Option
Never support deck directly to house
cantilevers such as door and window
bays or chimneys. Installing a beam
across the house cantilever will transfer the load to the solid house wall.
Headers may span a maximum of 6.
When a chimney or cantilevered bay
is wider than 6, you must add one or
more 6x6 posts and footings to reduce
header span to less than 6. Headers
shall be located 3 or less from the
house wall.

Header
Beam
Trimer
Joist

Figure 6

Lateral Load Device Detail

Hold-down device min 750 lbs capacity at 4 locations, evenly distributed along deck & 1 within 2 of each end of the ledger. Hold-down devices shall fully engage deck joist per hold-down manufacturer.
A fully threaded 3/8 diameter lag screw predrilled w/ min 3 penetration to center of top plate, studs, or header.
Note: This detail is applicable where floor joists are parallel to deck joists.

Figure 7

Floor Joist

3/8 Lag Screw

6 | Deck Construction Guide

Deck Joist

Hold Down Device

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7 | Deck Construction Guide

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Free Standing Frame

Sway Bracing

Diagonal Bracing

Drop Beam

Figure 7

Free Standing Decks

Decks which are free-standing do not utilize the exterior wall of the existing house to support vertical loads; instead an
additional beam with posts is provided at or within 2 of the existing house. The associated deck post footings must be
installed on virgin or compacted soil to prevent sinking. Free standing decks greater than 2 feet above grade shall resist
lateral loading and horizontal movement by providing diagonal bracing or by attaching the deck to the exterior wall of the
house.

Diagonal Bracing
Provide diagonal bracing both parallel and perpendicular to the beam at each post as shown in figure 7. When parallel to
the beam, the bracing shall be bolted to the post at one end and beam at the other. When perpendicular to the beam, the
bracing shall be bolted to the post at one end and the beam at the other. One 3/8 bolt is typical. When a joist does not
align with the bracing location, provide blocking between the next adjacent joists.

Sway Bracing
All decks using horizontal decking should have a diagonal sway brace to prevent racking. Install metal T Bracing diagonally across the top of joists or fasten a diagonal 2x4 below the deck frame. Decks using diagonal decking do not require
sway bracing

8 | Deck Construction Guide

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Basic Framing
Installing Support Posts
1) Measuring from the installed ledger, layout and
mark the center points provided in the footing plan
on the top of your concrete piers.
2) Use a concrete drill to install a concrete anchor
in the center of the pier.
3) Attach and tighten the adjustable post base to
the concrete anchor.
4) Measure and cut the 6x6 support posts. The top
of the support post should align with the bottom of
ledger board with a level.
5) Notch the 6x6 support posts for drop beam.

Figure 8

Installing Beams

Figure 9

6) Nail together the drop beam. See beam nailing

detail.
7) Set the drop beam inside the 6x6 support post
notch. All beam seams must rest over posts.
8) Drill through the drop beam and notched post
with a 1/2 drill bit.
9) Install 1/2 thrubolts with washers for post beam
connection.
10) Nail together the double band framing members.
11) Attach the double band to the ledger board with
a double concealed joist hanger.
12) Attach the double band to the support posts
with post to beam connectors.
13) Level and Sqaure the frame with the 3-4-5
method.

Installing Joists and Hardware

14) Layout your joists 12 or 16 on center depending on the angle of your flooring.
15) Measure and cut each joist to fit between the
ledger and double band beam.
16) Attach joists to the ledger board with joist
hangers.
17) Attach joists to band beam with joist hangers.
18) Attach joists to drop beam with hurricane ties.
Note: Maximum span for 2x10 sounthern yellow
pine joists installed at 16 on center is 14

Figure 10

9 | Deck Construction Guide

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Beams
Beam Nailing Pattern
Use 3-10d threaded nails positioned
at the top, center and bottom of the
beam to secure both ends.
Repeat this pattern every 16 on
center along the beam alternating
between the front and back sides.
Splice all beams over support posts.

Figure 11

Post Beam Connection

Beams shall have a minimum 1-1/2
solid bearing on top of support posts.
All support posts to be 6x6. The
maximun height for the 6x6 post is 10.
Figure 12.

Drop Beam To Joist

Connection
Post Beam Connector
Figure 12

Huricane ties should be installed over

drop beams on each joist. See figure
Figure 10 & 14

Double Concealed
Joist Hanger

Figure 13

10 | Deck Construction Guide

Figure 14

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JOIST & BEAM TAPE

CREATE YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM

ENSURE THE LIFE OF YOUR DECK

Trex RainEscape is a unique under-deck drainage

system a network of troughs and gutters that
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through elevated deck boards. RainEscape creates
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fans, entertainment systems and more.

Trex Protect Joist and Beam Tape is a selfadhesive butyl tape designed to protect the
top of your joist or beam from moisture that can
lead to joist rot and loosening of the deck screws
and fasteners. Trex Protect acts as a barrier
between wood and galvanized metal and also
helps hold screws longer and stronger.

trex.com
Trex RainEscape and Trex Protect are manufactured and/or distributed by Dri-Deck Enterprises, LLC. Trex is a trademark of,
and is used by Dri-Deck Enterprises, LLC. under a license with, Trex Company, Inc.
2016 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Trex and the Trex logo are federally registered trademarks of Trex Company, Inc., Winchester, Virginia.

Multi Level Connections

Fig 17

Fig 16

All deck levels should be self supporting. All beams

must bear a minimum of 1-1/2 over a support post.

Multiple Posts Supported

By One Footing Pier

Post Beam Connectors

16 Diameter Pier

Figure 15

Each support post must bear on the

footing pier and be connected to a
post base with a concrete anchor.
6x6 Posts bases

Multiple post footings must be a minimum of 24 diameter round.

Figure 16

Support Post Cleats

In green, Install a 2x6 post cleat to the
side of your 6x6 support post to provide a minimum 1-1/2 bearing for angled beams. Use 2 - 1/2x 8 through
bolts with washers and nuts.

Support Post Cleat

12 | Deck Construction Guide

This technique can be used to increase the surface area of a support

post to provide additional bearing support for a beam. Use a necessary.

Figure 17
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DECKING

RAILING

13 | Deck Construction Guide

BALUSTERS

ACCESSORIES

POST CAPS

LIGHTING

LATTICE
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Typical Staircase
Minimum & Maximum Measurements
Legend

A) Grippable Handrail - 34 to 38 above nosing of tread

B) 4 Max sphere opening

C) 6 Max sphere opening

D) Stair Landing - 36 x 36 minumum landing at grade.
Flat gound may qualify.

E) Stair tread - Mimimum tread depth is 10

H
E

F) Stair Riser - Max rise is 7-3/4. Recommended minumum rise is 4

G) 36 minimum stair width

H) 34 - 38 gaurd rail height above stair nosing.

D
G

I) Stringer throat minimum 5.

Figure 18

STAIR TOLERANCES

Maximum 4 opening at risers greater than 30 above grade. Minimum stair width is 36. Maximum rise is 7-3/4. Minimum
recommended rise is 4. Mini- mum tread depth is 10. Largest tread width or riser height shall not exceed the smallest by
more than 3/8. Maximum 4 opening at risers greater than 30 above grade.

STAIR STRINGERS

All stringers shall be 2x12 Southern Pine. Stair stringer spacing is 16 O.C. typi- cal for 5/4x6 wood treads. Verify stair
stringer spacing for composite stair treads.

STAIRWAY ILLUMINATION

All exterior stairways shall be illuminated at the top landing to the stairway. Illumination shall be controlled from inside the
dwelling or automatically activated.

HEADROOM

Stairs shall be provided with a minimum of 6-8 headroom clearance. The clearance shall be measured from the nosing of
the treads to the ceiling or soffit directly above that line.

STAIR GUARD RAIL REQUIREMENTS

Guards are required on the side(s) of stairs with a total rise of more than 30 above the floor or grade below. Guards on
stairs must be not less than 34 high measured from the nosing of the treads. All required guard rails must have intermediate rails or decorative pattern such that a 4 3/8 diameter sphere will not pass through except that the triangular space
formed by the bottom of the guard rail. The stair tread, and stair riser may be such that a 6 diameter sphere will not pass
through.
Guard rails must be designed to support a 200 lb. load applied in any direction at any point along the top of the guard rail.

14 | Deck Construction Guide

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Staircase Details
Support Beam Under Staircase
Stair Requirements: If the vertical height of the stairway exceeds 12, then an intermediate landing shall
be required. All intermediate stair landings should be
designed and constructed as a free standing deck.
Figure 19: If the total stringer span exceeds 7, then
a support beam with 4x4 posts running down to a 12
footing may be used to reduce the span.
Figure 20: Stair Stringer to Footing Connection Detail.
Figure 21: Stair Stringer to 2x4 Base Plate Connected
to Concrete Pad with Anchors Detail.

Figure 8
Figure 19

Resting On Concrete Footing

Figure 20

15 | Deck Construction Guide

Resting On A Concrete Pad

Figure 21

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Staircase Details
F
B

Stair Stringer Attachment Detail

A) 2x12 Stair Stringer
B) 4 - 1/2 Threw bolt to 4x4 rail post.

C) Stair stringer connector hardware. Minimum download capacity of 625 lbs.

D) 2 - 2x10 Double band joist.

E) 2 - 2x6 Bottom double plate extends double deck rim

to bottom of stair stringer connection.
F) 4x4 interior mounted rail post extends 5.5 below
double frame to mount double plate.

Figure 22

Cascading Stair Detail

A) 2 - 2x6 Bottom double plate extends double deck rim to bottom of stair stringer connection.
B) Footing recommended. Minimum 12 diameter footings under stair corners. Depth is 12 below frost line.
C) Double 2x12 stinger 22.5 degrees off corner attached to deck frame with structural bolts.
D) 2x Base header must be pressure treated rated for ground contact.

C
B

16 | Deck Construction Guide

Figure 23
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Stair Handrail Details

GRIPPABLE HANDRAIL

All Stairs with 4 more more risers shall have a handrail on at least one side. The top of the handrail shall not be placed
less than 34 or more than 38 above the nosing of the treads. The handgrip shall have a smooth surface with no sharp
corners. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs and returned to posts or wall at the ends. The handgrip
portion of the handrail shall not be less than 1-1/4 or more than 2-5/8 and shall provide a grippable surface. There are
many acceptable styles of handrails that meet the minimum requirements. Consult your local building department.

Handrail Mounting Detail

B

A) Handrails shall be graspable and be composed of

decay resistant and or corrosion resistant material.
B) Minium 1.5 space between handrail and gaurd rail.

C) Hnadrails shall be installed 34 - 38 above nosing

of nosing of stairs. Fasten handrails per manufacturer
specifications.

1-1/4 - 2-3/4

Circular profile.

17 | Deck Construction Guide

Non circular profile.

Most commonly
used is a 2x2

Recessed profile.

Min.
Min.

2-1/4 Max.

Min.

1-1/4 - 2

7/8

Grippable Hand Rail Profiles

3/8

1-3/4 Min.

3/4

Figure 24

Figure 25

Decks.com 2016

Typical Guard Rail Details

B

G
Figure 26

Guard Rail Detail

A) 4x4 post typical. Do not notch
B) 6 foot max rail post spacing.
C) 2x6 or 5/4x6 rail cap
D) 2x2 rail baluster typical
E) 2x4 top & bottom. Attach to gaurd post with 2 3.5
screws
F) Openings shal not allow the passage of a 4 diameter
sphere.
G) Attach balsuters to rails with 2.5 wood screws.
H) 36 minimum railing height

Guard Rail Requirements: All decks greater than 30

above grade are required to have a guard rail. If you
are providing a guard rail when one is not required, it
should still meet these requirements. All guard rails
shall be constructed in strict conformance with the
noted details. Any pre-fabricated wood, composite, or
metal manufactured rail system must be approved by
your local building department.
Attention: Do not notch guard rail posts at deck connection. Do not bolt through the top or bottom 1-1/2 of
deck joists or beams.

Rail Post Attachment Detail

A) (2) 1/2 Diameter thru botls & washers
B) Minumim 4x4 railing post..
C) Install 2x bolcking on either side of posts. Attachch
blocing with 10D galvanized nails.

B
C

Note: Hold down anchors may be required for rail post

attachment. See figure 28.

2 Min.
A

2.5 M

in. - 5

Max

2 Min.
Figure 27

18 | Deck Construction Guide

Figure 28

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Hardware
Adjustable Post Base

Post Beam Connector

Hurricane Tie

Single Joist Hanger

Skewed Joist Hangers

Double Concealed Joist Hanger

Hold Down Anchor

Laterail Load Device

Stair Stringer Connector

Structural Screw

Wedge Anchor

Thru Bol

19 | Deck Construction Guide

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