Quick Attached Deck Footing Chart
| Size of Deck | Beam Size | Number of Footings | Footing Spacing |
| 8’ x 10’ | (2) 2×8 | 2 | 6’0” |
| 10’ x 10’ | (2) 2×8 | 2 | 8’0”* |
| 10’ x 12’ | (3) 2×8 | 2 | 8’0”* |
| 12’ x 12’ | (2) 2×6 | 3 | 6’0” |
How many footings do I need for a deck?
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. Just decide its size and shape, then calculate and measure each element of the design as detailed step-by-step below.
How many footing do you need for your 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. For most situations, you will want to place footings and posts less than 8' apart.
What size footings are required for decks?
What size footings do I need for a deck? FOOTINGS: – Poured concrete footings should be a minimum of 8” wider than the posts (4×4 post – 12” min. width, 6×6 post – 14” min. width), a two level deck or deck with roof – 24”x24”. – The bottom of the footings must be a minimum of 36” below finish grade level.
How to measure for deck footings?
measure of the length and the width that a post and footing carry. By taking ½ the distance between one post in each direction you can determine how much surface area of the deck that post and footing will carry. 20 feet (width of deck) House 1 4 2 3 5 6 15.5 feet (Projection of deck) 1.5 feet 2 8 feet8 feet 2 feet 8 feet 6 feet TA= 8’ x 7’ = 56 sq. ft
How far apart should footings be for a deck?
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 footers do I need for a 12x16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
How do I calculate my deck footings?
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. For most situations, you will want to place footings and posts less than 8' apart.
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.
Where do you place footings on a deck?
Deck footings have to be placed just right so that the posts they support land in the center of each footing. Pay attention to the framing plans. They might not call out the location of the footings, but they will at least show the centerline of the beam and the spacing of the posts.
How far apart should 4x4 deck posts be?
6 feetFor Building a Deck Railing, Deck Frame, or Fence The maximum spacing of 4x4 deck posts should be 6 feet on center, while the maximum spacing of 6x6 deck posts should be 8 feet on center.
How many footings do I need for a 12x14 deck?
Once you've completed the new deck, you'll enjoy it for many years. Before starting to build, the first question is: How many footings do I need for a deck? 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.
Do I need concrete footings for a deck?
Decks and other permanent structures require deck supports and footings made from structural strength concrete mix. NOTE: it is important to check local building codes for construction requirements in your area; these requirements will include minimum diameter and minimum depth of the footings.
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.
Should deck posts be set in concrete?
There are several ways to set deck posts; we recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. Set footers a minimum of 6 inches below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures.
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 do you calculate footing size for a load?
To determine the size of the footing, a simple formula is used: Structural Load (lbs) / Soil Capacity (psf) = Footing Surface Area Required (sq. ft.)
What size 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 do you calculate deck posts?
Draw a line through the mid-span of the joists. Then find the mid-span of the beam that the post supports, and extend lines from there back to the line at the joist mid-span. Find the area within the lines. To calculate the design load for the post, multiply the tributary area by the combined live and dead loads.
How do you figure concrete footings?
How to calculate concrete:Determine how thick you want the concrete.Measure the length and width that you'd like to cover.Multiply the length by the width to determine square footage.Convert the thickness from inches to feet.Multiply the thickness in feet by the square footage to determine cubic feet.More items...
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 Is a Deck Footing?
Deck footings are a vital part of a deck’s foundation; they allow support posts to better hold weight, prevent them from sinking into the ground, and keep the decking level.
Determining the Number of Deck Footings
Ultimately the number of deck footings your deck needs varies and is determined by several factors:
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How many square feet are required for a deck?
According to the International Residential Code (IRC), no permit is needed if you’re building a deck that does not exceed 200 square feet in area, is not more than 30 inches above the ground at any point, is not attached to a dwelling and does not serve an exit door to a building.
How deep should a deck be?
According to the main code provision for footings, the only requirement for building a deck that is freestanding is that it must have a minimum footing depth of 12 inches below the undisturbed ground surface. There is no need to extend a footing below the frost line, as is required for standard decks.
What Are Ground Level Decks?
A ground-level deck, sometimes referred to as a floating deck or platform deck, is so-called because, unlike conventional decks, a ground-level deck is not attached to a home or building. While a floating deck might be next to a building, it may also be a standalone structure in the middle of your yard.
How much rebar do you need to install helical posts?
There are, however, some manufacturers who make helical posts that DIYers can install. These posts typically incorporate the use of 1/2” rebar lengths. The rebar is hammered into the ground, where it serves as a guide and added lateral support for each post.
Why do you need to distribute weight over a large number of deck blocks?
Due to their small footprint, you need to distribute the weight over a large number of deck blocks to prevent the blocks from sinking into the ground. This means more footings than other options require. Also, deck blocks will only fit 4×4 posts, so if you plan on using 6×6’s you’ll have to use an alternate foundation.
Why are floating decks called ground level decks?
Floating decks are also called ground-level decks because they typically hug the ground. Often, the posts supporting them are not visible, giving the deck its “floating” appearance.
How much does it cost to build a floating deck?
And that’s before you’ve rented the breaker hammer. Plan on another $75 to $100 in rental fees for that piece of equipment. In total, you’re looking at around $2,000 for floating deck footings.
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.
