For an attached 12 x 12’ deck, you’ll need at least 3 footings, plus at least 2 more if you’re planning on building stairs with it. If your deck will be a different size, it’s easy to figure out how many you’ll need.
How many footings do I need for my Deck?
How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck? The answer depends on the size and shape of your deck, the size of your footings, and the size of your beams. The larger the beam and footing size, the fewer footings that are required.
How thick are concrete deck footings?
In most cases, deck footings are concrete footings in the form of a pad, of either 2-feet square or 2-feet in diameter, poured directly into the ground. While the normal thickness of concrete deck footings is somewhere around 8 inches, professional deck builders will determine if your deck will need more.
What size beam do I need for a deck footer?
The weaker the soil the larger you should make the bearing surface of the deck footers. The most commonly used sizes of beams are 2 x 6”, 2 x 8”, 2 x 10” and 2 x 12”. Many builders double these thicknesses by fastening together two pieces of 2” lumber using bolts to create a single beam.
How far can you span a 2 x 12” deck?
Still, even when using two pieces of 2 x 12” lumber, you should never span more than eight feet without support underneath. When you’re building an attached deck for your house, fasten a 2 x 12” securely at the correct level. It will act as a ledger along the entire side to help connect the wooden deck beams and joists to the existing structure.
How far apart do deck footings need to be?
How Many Footings Will I Need? The standard rule for footings is that for a basic deck, the larger the beam and footing size, the fewer footings you'll need. If you're building a simple deck, footings and posts should be placed 8 feet apart on average.
How many footings do I need for a 10x12 deck?
Quick Attached Deck Footing ChartSize of DeckBeam SizeNumber of Footings8' x 10'(2) 2×8210' x 10'(2) 2×8210' x 12'(3) 2×8212' x 12'(2) 2×634 more rows
How do you calculate deck footings?
To calculate the load, you should use 40lbs per square foot for live loads (these are variable loads that are dynamic such as the weight of people and furniture) and 15 lbs per square foot for dead loads (this is the weight of the materials used for the construction of the deck) for a total load weight of 55 lbs per ...
How many footings do I need for a free standing deck?
For an 8×10' freestanding deck, you'll need six footings. Unless you have access to a power auger, that's a lot of digging. After digging each hole, you will need to install tube forms into each. Each tube form then needs to be filled with one 60 lb.
How many footings do I need for a 10x10 deck?
A freestanding 10' x10' deck needs 4 posts, supporting two pairs of 2-ply non-incised 2×8 beam, upgrading the beam to 3-ply using incised wood.
What is the best footing for a deck?
A poured concrete footing is a good option when building a large deck that sits high up from ground level. Concrete is extremely strong and able to withstand extreme forces and substantial weights. A poured concrete footing is created by digging a hole and pouring concrete into it.
How big of footings do I need?
Footing width can vary according to the structure, site, and conditions. Under code, generally, one-story buildings with footings on undisturbed soil with LBVs between 1,500 and 4,000 should have a minimum width of 12 inches. Two-story buildings require a minimum of 15-inch wide footings for 1,500 LBV soil.
How deep and wide do footings need to be?
The minimum depth of footings below the surface of undisturbed soil, compacted fill material or controlled low strength material (CLSM) shall be 12 inches (305 mm). Where applicable, the requirements of CBC Section 1809.5 shall also be satisfied. The minimum width of footings shall be 12 inches (305 mm).
How do you determine the size of a footer?
To determine the size of the footing, a simple formula is used: Structural Load (lbs) / Soil Capacity (psf) = Footing Surface Area Required (sq. ft.)
Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?
Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. Piers blocks can also be used if the frost level depth is less then the height of the pier block. Allowing you to set the pier block below the frost level on stable ground.
Does a small deck need footings?
Now that we know that footings aren't necessary when building smaller decks close to the ground, it's essential to understand what you can use in place of footers that will save you time and effort. Obviously, you need to grade a flat spot for the deck so that it sits evenly.
How do you anchor a freestanding deck?
0:000:36Using Titan Deck Foot on a Floating or Free Standing Deck - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou simply use a handheld impact wrench. And you drive it into the ground there's a load plateMoreYou simply use a handheld impact wrench. And you drive it into the ground there's a load plate underneath. At any rate very easy to install we installed 24 of them on this jobsite.
How much does it cost to build a 10X12 deck?
Cost To Build A Deck By SizeDeck SizeSquare FeetAverage Cost8x1080$1,200 – $2,80010x10100$1,500 – $3,50010x12120$1,800 – $4,20012x12144$2,160 – $5,0404 more rows
How many posts do I need for a 8X12 deck?
The larger 12-foot side will have a post spacing of 6 feet at a minimum code requirement. That makes a total of eight posts that need to be installed on this average size deck.
How many deck blocks do I need for a 10X12 shed?
Wood Shed FoundationsShed SizeNumber of Blocks8X10108X121210X101410X12164 more rows
How many posts do I need for an 8X10 deck?
Wood. Wood will make up the body of the deck and will be the most plentiful material you will have to purchase. You will need six 4-by-4 or 6-by-6 pieces of lumber for the posts and four 2-by-10 pieces of lumber that are at least 10 feet long.
How much does a 12x12 deck weigh?
The total is 55 psf, multiplied by the square footage of the 12×12’ deck results in a total loaded weight of 7920 pounds.
How far can you span 2x12 lumber?
Still, even when using two pieces of 2 x 12” lumber, you should never span more than eight feet without support underneath.
What Factors Affect Selection of Foundation for Buildings?
The size of your deck is the most important consideration. The bigger your deck, the more footings you’ll need. As mentioned earlier, you can use deck blocks to build a small deck.
How to support traffic on stairs?
Stairs and traffic pathways receive extra weight and vibration and should be supported by footers and beams. Place footings at each corner of the stairs and at two-foot intervals if stairs are longer than a few feet.
What is an attached deck?
Attached Deck. As the name implies, an attached deck is connected to some existing structure, such as a house, garage, or other building. The advantage is that you may be able to use fewer footings by tying into an adjacent foundation. If so, you could avoid some of the digging work and material costs for deck footings.
What is floating deck?
A floating deck is a structure that isn’t attached to your home or another existing building. It needs a complete set of perimeter footings since it will be self-supporting and won’t tie into your home’s existing foundation.
What are the disadvantages of building a deck?
The disadvantages are that you may need to work around exterior or underground plumbing and electrical lines. You might also need to build the deck in an irregular shape to fit existing property contours.
What determines the spacing of a deck footing?
Firmer soil requiring both smaller and fewer footings. This is important in a deck designed, but ultimately the spacing of the footing is determined by beam strength, not soil bearing. If the beam is strong enough but the soil is not as a general rule, the decking footing size will be increased.
How much does it cost to increase the footings on a deck?
Saving both time and money in building the deck. Increasing the footings spacing by 2’ for less than $20. A concrete footing will cost that and more.
How to increase footing spacing?
Increasing the depth or number of plies of a beam will allow you to increase the footing spacing. For example, the difference between 6’ spacing and 8’ for an 11’ deep joist is a 2×8 two-ply instead of 2×6 beam. Often this is the deciding factor for footing spacing. More beam means less footings.
How many footings are there in Canada?
There are three default footing spacing in Canada, 4’ (1.2m),6’ (1.8m) and 8’ (2.4m) provided by the Canadian Wood Council. A good start in figuring out a deck’s footings. The biggest controlling factor is the size of the beam. The larger and stronger the beam is the larger the footing space can be. Personally, I prefer a bigger beam requiring fewer footings. Of course, the beam is supporting joist, the length of the joist and the load they support contributes to the beam and footing requirements.
Do you need footings for a hot tub?
Some situations require closer footing spacing. One extreme is hot tubs. Hot tubs put a lot of weight on a deck and require additional footings. Both to support the extra weight and distribute the weight evenly. Often its better to build the footing and beams to support the hot tub separate from the main deck. Considerably increasing the number of footings but safely supporting the hot tub.
Can a deck beam overhang?
It may be called the International Residential Code, but local code will overrule this at times. In Edmonton, Alberta, a deck beam can only overhang one and a half times the nominal depth of the beam.
Is it better to build a deck to local code?
Always better to build to or exceed local code. Let’s look over some of these factors to ensure that your deck is built to last. Quick references, easier to upgrade beam then adding footing, layout footing evenly for best results, but keep in mind the end use of the deck and adjust footings as required.
What woods are used for framing?
Red Pine. And combination woods, such as Douglas Fir & Western Larch (Douglas Fir-Larch), Hemlock & Fir (Hem-Fir), and Spruce-Pine-Fir. All are high-quality woods to use for framing purposes, however, your geographic region plays a role in which woods will be available to you.
Do you want to have a few beams?
However, from an aesthetic perspective, you’ll want to have as few beams as possible since they will be visible from your ground floor and can ob struct views. According to our beam span chart resource, the span of a beam is dependent on a few variables: the species of lumber, size of lumber, and the load it carries.
Can you use steel beams instead of wood?
Steel Alternatives to Wood Beams. If you’re building a deck, wood isn’t your only option for beams. Unlike wood, steel beams are not susceptible to the elements and won’t warp over time. They make for a stronger, straighter, safer, and smarter alternative to wood substructures and may be more economical in the long-run.
Do deck joists support deck boards?
Deck beams and joists go hand-in- hand as the framing materials for your deck. While joists provide a horizontal support system for deck boards , beams provide support for the joists. Your beams will need to bear the load of not only your decking materials, but additional components of the frame itself. For this reason, it’s important ...
How much snow is needed for a deck?
Unlike post frame buildings, the snow load on a deck is used only if it is higher than the live load of the deck, generally assumed to be 40 lbs. per square foot (psf). The assumption is that there will not be both live load (people) and snow on the deck at the same time. Consequently, the load formula changes slightly when the snow load is greater than 40 lbs. psf. Using our earlier example of tributary area size, except that now we have a snow load of 50 lbs. psf:
What is footing size calculator?
In our footing size calculator, the data you input is used to identify the footing which has the largest tributary area, and subsequently, the largest load. This allows the calculator to provide a FootingPad large enough for all posts. In practice, once you understand the calculations, you can easily determine the footing size needed for each individual post for each project. Often, the sizes needed will be different. Usually, the design of the deck results in interior posts, versus those nearest an outside edge, will have a larger tributary area and therefore larger load.
Why is an isolated footing straight forward?
The footing is “isolated”, and therefore it is straight-forward to calculate the load capacity of this footing type because there is no shared weight. All the weight carried by one post is transferred to one footing. Regardless from what material an isolated footing is made, it functions by spreading the load carried by ...
How to determine the footing size needed to support the load?
You can determine the footing size needed to support the load by using this formula: A = B/C. A = Surface area of the footing. B = Load on the footing in pounds. C = Load carrying capacity of the soil in pounds per square foot ...
What happens if a footing is stronger than the soil?
If stronger than the soil AND overloaded, a footing will simply sink into the ground.
How to find the surface area of a footing pad?
FootingPad post foundations are round, and the surface area of any circle is determined by the formula: pi r2 = 3.14 x (radius x radius) The surface area of a square or rectangle is determined by length x width . For example, a 12” x 12” square has a surface area of 1 sq. foot.
What size footingpad for post # 2?
As 1.39 > 1.28, we are able to stay with a 16” or larger FootingPad will for post # 2.
How Many Footings Will I Need?
The standard rule for footings is that for a basic deck, the larger the beam and footing size, the fewer footings you'll need. If you're building a simple deck, footings and posts should be placed 8 feet apart on average. However, if your deck will include a hot tub or roof, you must support that weight with additional footings spaced more closely. Or, if your deck has many angles, additional footings are necessary. To decrease the number of footings, but likely increase the cost of construction, you can instead use an engineered beam. Before you begin to build the deck, it's recommended that you confirm the footing spacing meets local building codes.
What is the purpose of footings on a deck?
Your footings will provide a solid foundation to support your deck – every future building step for your deck is reliant on properly measuring and spacing your deck footings.
How many people do you need to paint a deck?
If your deck shape will be complex, the triangulation method is best. For this, you'll need two 50-foot cloth tape measures, a can of spray paint and a total of two people.
Can you use engineered beams on a deck?
Or, if your deck has many angles, additional footings are necessary. To decrease the number of footings, but likely increase the cost of construction, you can instead use an engineered beam. Before you begin to build the deck, it's recommended that you confirm the footing spacing meets local building codes. Advertisement.
How many deck boards are needed for a 10x10 deck?
You’ll need a space of ⅛” between each board. For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10’ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide ...
How to Calculate How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?
There are several factors you should consider before calculating the number of decking boards you’ll require. First, what is the design of the deck? What is the shape? What is the total square footage? Are you going to angle your deck planks or are they going to be perpendicular to the joists?
How Many Composite Deck Boards Do I Need?
Thankfully most are 5 ½” wide, making it easier to calculate the number of composite pieces you’ll need. In that case, use the above method for calculating the number of composite planks you want for your project.
How Much Do Deck Boards Cost?
We’ll take a look at 8’ pieces to compare costs between the major types of decking widely available.
What is the longest decking board?
If your deck is long, butt joints are unavoidable as the longest decking board you’ll find is 20’. If you have a rounded edge on your deck, then you’ll have more waste since once you make your circular cut, you’ll have to remove a larger section of the remaining section to use it.
How thick is 2x6 lumber?
Keep in mind that some opt to use 2×6 dimensional lumber as their deck planking. In that case, the actual dimensions are 1 ½” thick by 5 ½” wide. Lengths of 2x6s that you can purchase range from 8 to 16 feet, in even intervals.
What is the best spacing for a deck?
You’ll see many different opinions on this topic, but I maintain that ⅛” is the ideal spacing for your deck planking. I wasn’t comfortable butting the widths together and assuming that shrinking and drying would provide an adequate gap over time, as some installers claim. So I figured ⅛” was sufficient.
Choose a beam
Several factors determine which beam setup to use.
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