How much weight can a deck hold?
However, one rule of thumb to keep in mind while answering the question is that the answer commonly is that if a deck is properly designed, it's built to hold 50 lbs. per square foot. It's possible that it could hold much more weight than 50 lbs. per square foot.
How much weight can Trex decking support?
Trex claims it supports 100 pounds per square foot, although that number is not based on any specified criteria for a deck structure. And it does not really matter because the frame of a Trex deck is what supports the deck, not the deck boards; therefore, a Trex deck is no stronger than a lumber deck. For cedar decks, check out this table:
How much weight can a decks built ground level support?
Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support.
How much snow load does a deck need to support?
Snow load will affect a deck’s weight load in a big way. Where I live and work, in the Minneapolis area, we need to build decks to support 50 lbs. per square foot. To support 50 lbs., first consider that 40 lbs. is what we consider “dead load.”
Can my deck hold 1000 pounds?
To find out the maximum weight your deck can hold, you'll need to multiply the total area by 50 psf. For example, a 100 square foot deck can support 5000 pounds. Again, this is an estimate that engineers have decided is a safe value for a deck accounting for the typical items a deck would hold.
Can a deck support 2000 pounds?
In short there's no one right answer to “how much can my deck hold?” However, one rule of thumb to keep in mind while answering the question is that the answer commonly is that if a deck is properly designed, it's built to hold 50 lbs. per square foot.
How much weight can my deck hold calculator?
To determine the maximum load capacity of your deck, start by calculating its total area and multiply by 50 psf. So, a 100 sqft deck would be designed to support 5000 lbs.
Can a deck hold the weight of a hot tub?
A deck designed to hold at least 100 pounds per square foot will support nearly any type of hot tub. However, many decks are designed for only 50 pounds of weight per square foot – this will not support some hot tubs and you'll have to modify the supports beneath your deck.
Can a wood deck support a hot tub?
Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs.
Can I put a small pool on my deck?
Decks that are lower to the ground pose less risk of injury when collapsing, but can be just as costly to repair. Smaller inflatable pools that fill up less than a foot of water, may be fine to put on a deck, but there are still risks involved.
How much weight can a 12x12 deck hold?
A 12'x12′ (144sq') deck properly supported can hold 5 760lbs on it. you build. All floating decks, in fact, all decks built to code, can support no less than 40 lbs per square foot of deck.
Can my deck support a gazebo?
Yes, you can put up a gazebo on your deck, and this applies to both fixed and pop-up structures. A deck makes an attractive floor for your gazebo, and with a bit of planning, you can secure it without messing up your boards. Using your existing deck saves you the cost and effort of installing a floor for your gazebo.
How do you determine a load bearing deck?
If your deck is built to code, then it is designed to hold a minimum of 50 pounds per square foot, of which ⅘ of that total is the “live” load. Therefore, a deck of 120 square feet multiplied by 50 shows that your deck can hold 6000 pounds, including the structure.
How can you tell if your deck can support a hot tub?
As a general rule of thumb, if you have a deck that's raised only a couple feet or less, it can support about 100 pounds per square foot. So, if the spa is less than 100 pounds per square foot you likely have nothing to worry about.
How do you reinforce a deck?
0:352:06How to Reinforce a Deck for a Hot Tub Spa The Spa Guy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay so reinforcing the deck is very very simple basically all you going to do is just get you aMoreOkay so reinforcing the deck is very very simple basically all you going to do is just get you a good flat spot under it put your pylons. Down. You're going to what. We do is hang the joist.
How do I add extra support to my deck?
Strengthen post connections with carriage bolts. Drill holes, knock the bolts through, then tighten a washer and nut on the other side. Ideally, posts should sit directly under the beam or rim joist to support the deck.
How much weight can a 12x12 deck hold?
A 12'x12′ (144sq') deck properly supported can hold 5 760lbs on it. you build. All floating decks, in fact, all decks built to code, can support no less than 40 lbs per square foot of deck.
How much weight can a 10x20 deck hold?
In general, most decks can withstand 100 lbs per square foot. So if a hot tub like the one in the example is under that weight, the average deck should be able to support it.
How much weight can a 2x4 deck hold?
Despite that fact, most people know surprisingly little about how much weight a 2×4 can hold. When standing vertically, such as when it functions as a stud, a 2×4 can hold about 1,000 pounds. A 2×4 can hold up to 40 pounds or 300 pounds when laying on its edge without sagging when laying horizontally.
What is the live load for a deck?
40-psfFor a residential deck, the code requires it be designed to support a minimum 40-psf live load. The live load is the external force applied to a deck due to the activities of its use. People, furniture and any other movable, physical objects on the deck are covered under live load.
How Much Weight Can a Deck Support?
If your deck was built to code and the appropriate permits were pulled and signed off on, then it is entirely likely your deck holds a minimum of 50 pounds per square foot.
How much weight can a 12x10 deck hold?
Let’s take a 12×10 foot deck as an example. At the beginning of the article, we determined that the total live load the deck could sustain was 4500 pounds, after subtracting for the “dead” load, which is the deck structure itself.
What factors affect how much weight a deck can hold?
There are many, many factors that affect how much weight your deck can hold. Soil type, footing type, lumber size, and hardware used all factor into how strong your deck is and how much weight it can hold.
How many pounds can a 3 ply deck hold?
In the case of our deck, we have footings every 4’. I can now safely assume that my deck can hold much more than 50 pounds per square foot, as indicated by the deck span chart.
What is the amount of weight that each footing can hold?
The amount of weight that each individual footing can hold is called the tributary load. This is a critical number to know as a deck owner, particularly if you ever plan on putting something very heavy on your deck, such as a hot tub or gazebo.
What type of wood is used for decking?
The type of lumber used is also critical in determining how much weight your deck can hold. The three major types of wood species used in deck construction are Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), some combination of Spruce, Pine, and Fir (SPF), and Redwood, Western Cedar, or Red Pine.
What is the most important aspect of deck construction?
One of our last variables in determining deck weight bearing capacity, fasteners, are arguably the most important aspect of deck construction and the most overlooked.
Deck Load Capacity Factors
The frame structure, soil type, and footings all factor into a deck’s load capacity because together they all act as a system, and if one of them fails, the deck will, too. Some contractors who aren’t sure where to begin will overbuild, leading to higher construction costs when it’s not necessary.
Determining the Load Capacity
Determining your deck’s load capacity only requires some basic math. Knowing how to properly determine the amount of weight your deck can hold will allow you or a contractor to build a structure that will be not only stable but will last for many years to come.
Frame Structure
The first part to think about is the actual framework of the deck, comprised of joists. The outer portion is called the perimeter (sometimes you might also hear them referred to as rim, or band joists). Moving inward, you’ll find the joists in the middle, called infield or inner joists.
What Are the Different Deck Loads?
There are different loads that engineers or contractors need to account for when building any structures, including decks.
Framing for the Design Load
A standard 2×8 softwood lumber needs spacing at 16” o.c. spacing to meet the 50 psf design load. To compensate for increases, you’ll need to use 2×10 joists at 12” o.c. spacing—more weight means the joists need to be closer together.
Tributary Areas and Footings
To find out the maximum weight your deck can hold, you’ll need to multiply the total area by 50 psf. For example, a 100 square foot deck can support 5000 pounds. Again, this is an estimate that engineers have decided is a safe value for a deck accounting for the typical items a deck would hold.
Footing Sizes
After you’ve discovered the tributary areas, you’ll need to determine the footing sizes. You can reduce the force imposed over any given area by using a larger footing size and distributing that weight over an area.
How much weight can a deck hold?
However, one rule of thumb to keep in mind while answering the question is that the answer commonly is that if a deck is properly designed, it’s built to hold 50 lbs. per square foot. It’s possible that it could hold much more weight than 50 lbs. per square foot.
How much weight should I put on a deck?
Snow load will affect a deck’s weight load in a big way. Where I live and work, in the Minneapolis area, we need to build decks to support 50 lbs. per square foot. To support 50 lbs., first consider that 40 lbs. is what we consider “dead load.” Then the remaining 10 lbs. is considered “live load.” That’s the people and the “stuff” on the deck. Well, since none of us weigh 10 lbs., you have to consider that this load is the actual weight stretched out over the entire surface of the deck.
Why do people want to learn more about deck weight?
The primary reasons that a customer may want to learn more about the weight load of their deck has to do with the current trends toward outdoor living . Many customers nowadays are looking at adding a hot tub to their deck, or an outdoor kitchen space complete with appliances.
How close together do you put joists?
How close together you place the joists also plays a role. Putting the joists 12″ apart, versus 16″ apart, changes the deflection value of those joists. So, you have to put this together as an entire package and find out why the customers are asking the question.
Do composite decking hangers have to be installed?
International Building Code section 507.3.1 says that composite decking must be installed per manufacturer’s published instructions. Even though you meet codes for joists and hangers, you still have to meet the manufacturer’s composite decking standards.
Can you build a deck with a lot of weight?
And, pardon the pun, but boards are only the surface of the issue. You also have to factor in joist hangers, fasteners, footings, and soil. You can’t build a deck that is going to have so much weight on it that the fasteners and hangers can’t support that load, or the beam that you will put in place or even the footings underneath it. You can make your joists able to hold thousands of pounds of weight and your footings could sink into the ground.
How many psf is a 2x8 deck?
joist spacing your deck will easily meet the 50 psf threshold.
What is the width of the first supported load area?
That means the total width of the first supported load area extends from the end of the beam to the 3.25’ mark along the beam (1.5’ + 1.75’).
How far out do joists run from a house?
There is a ledger board attached to the house. The joists run perpendicularly out from the house for 10 feet at 16 inches on center. The carrier beam runs perpendicular to the joists with its center at 8 feet from the house and the cantilever beyond its center point is 2 feet.
What is the worry about beam spacing?
The worry will be your beam spacing, support post size and most importantly how many footings and how much weight will they impose directly on the soil below.
What are rim joists called?
The first area to think of is the actual framed deck. This structure is comprised of perimeter joists - sometimes called rim joists or band joists. Then there are the joists in the middle. These are sometimes called infield joists or inner joists. You will hear a number of terms.
What is the bearing capacity of clay soil?
The other types of soils most encountered are clays which have varying degrees of moisture. The concept is that the more moisture retained in the soil, the lower its bearing capacity. The typical range of bearing capacity for clays, starting with the softest with higher moisture content to the hardest with lowest moisture content is between 2000 psf and 8000 psf or more, respectively.
How much is live load?
Live load is created by all the extras like furniture, planters, and people. This is usually about 40 psf. Together the design load would be 50 psf.
How much weight can my deck support?
The higher your deck is off the ground, however, the less weight per square foot it can take.
How long does a Trex deck last?
While a traditional wood deck might last up to 15 years, Trex and most brands of composite wood will likely last 25 years or more and most come with a 25-year warranty. Came home to a hot tub on the back deck. O pic.twitter.com/DPsH1Xz0cu.
How much does a hot tub weigh?
Before we answer this, let’s look at the different kinds of hot tubs, since each will be different. Let’s also assume we’re NOT talking about in-ground hot tubs.
How to calculate the weight of a hot tub?
If we apply the formula I mentioned above for a large inflatable hot tub, we have: 1 Weight of the spa (empty) = virtually nothing 2 # of gallons of water (290) x 8.34 lbs (how much a gallon weighs) = 2,418.60 3 Add those 2 numbers = 2,418.60 4 # people (6) x 175 = 1,050 5 Add that number to the previous total = 3,468.60 6 Divide that by the number of square feet (38.37) = 90.40
What is Trex decking?
Trex is simply a brand name for what’s called composite decking. That’s a fancy way of basically saying fake wood or plastic decking.
Can you put support beams on a hot tub?
The good news is that if your deck is high enough off the ground to get under, it’s fairly easy to add support beams and posts to take the weight of your hot tub. The other good news is that if your deck is just above ground level, you aren’t likely to need additional support.
Is composite decking more expensive than pressure treated lumber?
Composite decking is roughly 20% more expensive than traditional pressure-treated lumber, so it doesn’t fit into every budget.
Determining Your Deck’s Weight Limit: Basic Idea
- There is no one answer to the question of how much weight a deck can hold. It is highly dependent on several factors, including: 1. Dead load and live load 1. Joist and footing spread 1. Wood type 1. Weather
Why Should I Know How Much Weight A Wooden Deck Can Hold?
- Knowing how much weight your deck can hold is essential for safety. Many people want to put a hot tub on their deckwithout knowing if the deck is rated for that kind of weight. Water is tremendously heavy and it could be unsafe Knowing your deck’s weight limit is also crucial if you plan on having a lot of people out on it.
Dead Load vs. Live Load
- When you are thinking about your deck’s weight limit, it’s important to consider dead load and live load. The weight limit on your deck will factor in both of these kinds of loads. A combination of the two will be your total weight limit. Usually, the live load will account for ⅘ of the total load limit of the deck. If, for example, your deck is rated for a total load of 5,000 pounds, 4,000 of this can …
Spread of The Joists and Footings
- The spread of the joists and footings on your deck is essential for its load limit. Most decks will have a joist span of 12 inches. This means that the joists are 12 inches apart from one another. However, if your deck’s joists are 16 inches apart, the load limit will go down quite a bit. This is because the weight will not be as evenly spread among the joists. The span of your footingswill …
Type of Wood
- The type of woodthat is used for your deck will also have a lot to do with how much it can hold. Softwoods like cedar will have a much lower weight limit than Ponderosa pine.
Type of Weather
- It is very important that you also factor in the weather when you think about a deck’s weight limit. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, this could also add to the dead load. When wood is wet, it will weigh quite a bit more than it would when it is dry. Because of these factors, it’s important that you keep your live load well below the limit.
Conclusion
- By knowing what your deck’s weight limit is, you can use it safely and securely. You can also be sure that any additions will be supported. While there’s no definite answer to a deck’s weight limit, knowing how it’s determined will help you keep it safe.