What is a concrete deck pier?
A concrete deck pier is simply a column of concrete that rises up out of the soil and a wooden post is connected to this concrete column. Usually, the pier is 6 to 8 inches in diameter. CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local deck contractors. Can You Buy Precast Concrete Deck Piers?
How big do deck piers need to be?
In most cases, deck piers will be at least 4 inches across; however, it is not uncommon to see deck piers that are 6 or even 12 inches in diameter. As a general rule of thumb, the wider the diameter or width of the deck pier, the stronger it will be. Deck piers are usually inserted into the concrete footing while the concrete is still wet.
What is the difference between deck footings and deck piers?
Simply put, the more footings your deck has, the stronger and more stable it will be. A deck pier is a column or post that is inserted into the concrete footing and used to support the base of your deck. Most of the time, deck piers will be made of treated lumber that is either round or square.
Can you support wooden deck posts with concrete deck piers?
This is why wooden deck posts must rest on a solid bearing point that won’t sink or lift up because of frost action in a soil that’s in a cold location. You can support wooden deck posts with deck piers in any number of fashions. Are Concrete Deck Piers Safe? Concrete deck piers are safe. I’ve used concrete deck piers for many years.
What is the difference between a pier and a footing?
A pier is a concrete columns that's cast atop of a footing and is connected to the footing by steel rebar. The pier, built between the footing and the ground level, usually extends above ground level so wooden posts can be mechanically anchored to the pier.
How do you install deck piers?
0:572:26How to Build Deck Footings with QUIKRETE® - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you have determined the minimum footing depth based on the local building code dig the footingMoreOnce you have determined the minimum footing depth based on the local building code dig the footing holes about six inches deeper than required slightly larger than the quick tube diameter.
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.
How do you build a pier deck?
0:058:04How To Build Deck Piers To Last - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEspecially when it's near a hill or Creek then you're gonna want to sink rebar in it. Second howMoreEspecially when it's near a hill or Creek then you're gonna want to sink rebar in it. Second how many piers per square footage of your deck are you gonna use so this is a twelve by twelve.
Do deck piers need footings?
Large decks that are attached to the house should always have footings because they act to spread the heavy load of the deck from the surface of a support post over a large surface of the soil so the ground can adequately support it.
Do deck piers need rebar?
Plain concrete deck foundations without rebar are acceptable under the minimum standards of construction established in the International Residential Code. However, placing reinforcing steel within footings is a relatively easy and inexpensive practice that can provide increased performance.
Can I build a deck without digging holes?
If you're ready to start planning, there are two great options to build a deck without digging any holes: surface deck blocks and deck foot anchors. The cheapest foundations are deck blocks, which can be purchased for less than $12.00 a piece.
How far apart should deck piers be?
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.
Do freestanding decks need footings?
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.
How deep do piers need to be for a house?
A hole approximately one foot in diameter is drilled to a depth of anywhere from 12 to 20 feet underneath your home. This depth ensures that the bottom of the pier is anchored in stable soil, thus preventing any further settling or sinking.
Can deck posts sit on concrete?
In order for posts to properly resist varying degrees of weight, posts must rest on and be anchored to concrete footings. It's important to note that patios and pre-cast concrete piers do not qualify as proper footings for deck construction. To anchor posts to concrete footings, you need to use a post base connector.
How do you support a deck?
4:135:13How To Build a Deck | Post Holes & Framing (2 of 5) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the floor joist along the 16 inch on center line flush at the top and drive in a screw. Hold aMoreHold the floor joist along the 16 inch on center line flush at the top and drive in a screw. Hold a joist hanger against it tap in the prong tightly wrap it underneath.
How deep should concrete piers be?
Piers can be square, rectangular, or circular, and diameter of piers is usually 6, 8, 10, or 16 inches. The depth of pier foundation is below the freezing depth, usually around five to six feet.
How do you dig pier footings?
1:074:23Digging Footings for Decks and Other Outdoor Projects - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow if you're gonna be digging multiple holes or they're more than six inches in diameter I highlyMoreNow if you're gonna be digging multiple holes or they're more than six inches in diameter I highly recommend renting a power auger. And if you're digging a lot of large footings.
Are helical piers better than concrete?
Using Helical Piles instead of Concrete Benefits: Helicals are a permanent foundation solution, that will last you a lifetime. The installation is clean and no excessive excavating is needed. Helical piles can be used for any size project. Helicals can be built upon the same day, there is no waiting time for curing.
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.
What is a deck pier?
A deck pier is a column or post that is inserted into the concrete footing and used to support the base of your deck. Most of the time, deck piers will be made of treated lumber that is either round or square. In most cases, deck piers will be at least 4 inches across; however, it is not uncommon to see deck piers that are 6 or even 12 inches in diameter. As a general rule of thumb, the wider the diameter or width of the deck pier, the stronger it will be.
Where are deck piers inserted?
Deck piers are usually inserted into the concrete footing while the concrete is still wet. Then, deck piers are attached to the underside of the de ck and bolted to floor joists anchor or lag bolts. On some decks, deck piers may even be made out of iron or steel to provide greater stability.
Why do you need a deck footing?
Deck footings are used to provide the foundation for your deck and make it strong and stable when it is being used. When designing a deck, it is common to use deck piers and footings to provide support for the deck.
Do decks need concrete?
So, decks that are installed in cold climate areas usually require concrete bases or footings that are buried deep in the soil. This helps prevent undue stress or cracking on the concrete footing and makes for a much safer and stronger deck.
Deck Piers Checklist
DEAR TIM: I’m building a deck and discovered that the wooden posts can’t rest on the soil. What I’ve discovered is that I need deck piers. What are they, and how are they made?
What Deck Piers Do You Use Tim, the Best Ones?
I've tried all types of deck piers and the one I prefer is the one you see me standing next to in the photo just below. CLICK THE PHOTO or CLICK HERE to order these amazing forms. It's the same one you see in the video above - the video I shot at the trade show.
Deck Piers - Don't Cut Corners Here
DEAR JARED: There are very few places you can place a wood deck post on the ground and have it not move. You can get away with that if you place it on bedrock or on some hard-packed material that has a high compressive strength such that the enormous concentrated load on the post doesn’t cause the post to sink into the ground.
How Much Does a Deck Weigh?
The average deck can weigh one or two tons. That's thousands of pounds.
How Much Deck Weight Hangs on a House?
If the deck is connected to your house, usually half of the total weight of the deck is transferred to the house’s foundation if the deck is not cantilevered. The other half of the weight might be transferred to the ground on just two or possibly three posts at the far edge of the deck away from the house.
Are Concrete Deck Piers Safe?
Concrete deck piers are safe. I’ve used concrete deck piers for many years.
What is a Deck Post Footing?
A deck post footing is simply a 20-inch or larger diameter pad of poured concrete down at the bottom of a hole that’s dug in solid soil. The bottom of the hole needs to be below the local frost level.
What are the parts of a deck?
A deck is made up of five core sections, including the foundation, surface, framing, stairs, and railing, all of which are composed of several other parts. For example, a deck’s foundation is made up of a pier and a footing, while the framing is made up of a ledger, a support column, a beam, a joist, and a post base.
What is the foundation of a deck?
Deck foundations differ from the foundation of your home in that the load is concentrated at individual points on the ground rather than across the whole perimeter. Although decks weigh much less than a house does, point loading means that you must give some serious thought to the foundation design to ensure ample support.
What are the components of a deck?
The next category of deck components is the stairs. Deck stairs consist of virtually all of the same pieces that standard staircases have: treads, risers, and stringers. Treads are the flat surface that you step on to ascend and descend the stairs. The risers are vertical portions of the stair that are viewed as the ‘face’ of the steps.
What is the best way to build a long lasting deck?
2. Deck Framing . The key to a safe and long-lasting deck is a proper foundation and a sturdy framing. After you’ve built a solid foundation that will provide necessary support, framing is where the building of the deck begins to take shape.
What is composite decking?
Composites: Composite decking boards and other relevant synthetics are becoming increasingly popular in the decking board industry. They are a sustainable choice, as they are constructed from recycled plastics and wood fibers. Composites are also virtually maintenance-free, look and feel like real wood, do not warp or splinter, and are resistant to rot and insects.
How thick is a deck board?
Most decking boards are manufactured or specially milled to be thicker than one inch, and are generally between four and six inches wide with rounded edges to prevent splintering.
How deep should a deck foundation be?
How deep the foundation of your deck needs to be poured will depend on your local building code and the frost depth in your region.
What is a pier block?
A deck pier block is in many ways just a simplified version of a “precast foundation”, a foundation type recognized by building codes. They’re subject to all of the same requirements as a typical footing, regardless of not being cast-in-place. They must have a sufficient bearing area (the area of the block that sits on the earth) and be a minimum of 12-inches below grade, or below the local frost depth. They cannot, however, be simply placed at grade level.#N#The connection of the deck support post to the blocks is not consistently regulated throughout the country. Some regions with high winds and concerns of uplift forces may not approve them, as there is typically no physical connection between the post and block. For lateral forces, like a post getting hit with a lawn mower, we don’t want the post kicked out. Therefore, building codes require lateral restraint at the base of a post. While pier blocks commonly have protruding concrete lugs that surround the post, there is only opinion as to whether they are of sufficient strength.#N#The small bearing area of pier blocks is limited in supporting much load. Therefore, beam and joist spans must be limited and more blocks must be used over typical construction. Overall, pier blocks are best suited for low- or ground-level decks, where smaller framing materials are common and additional posts and blocks are not an eyesore. Uplift and lateral forces on the posts are also of less concern in ground-level decks.
Is there a physical connection between a deck support post and a block?
Some regions with high winds and concerns of uplift forces may not approve them, as there is typically no physical connection between the post and block.
Can pier blocks be used on a deck?
Overall, pier blocks are best suited for low- or ground-level decks, where smaller framing materials are common and additional posts and blocks are not an eyesore.
Do pier blocks have lugs?
While pier blocks commonly have protruding concrete lugs that surround the post, there is only opinion as to whether they are of sufficient strength. The small bearing area of pier blocks is limited in supporting much load.
What is a dock and pier?
The two terms dock and pier refer to important maritime structures. However, the meanings of these two terms tend to vary according to different regions. In American English, both pier and dock refer to a narrow and long structure that extends from the shore to the water. However, in British English dock refers to an enclosed area ...
What is a pier?
Pier is a long, narrow structure that goes out from the shore into a river, lake, or the sea.
What is a pier in a river?
A pier is a long, narrow structure that goes out from the shore into a river, lake, or the sea . It can be described as a platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the water. Piers are often made of wood and are supported by well-spaced pillars or piles.
What is the purpose of a pier?
Piers are built for several purposes; handling passengers and cargo is one of the main purposes of a pier. It can also act as a berth for small boats. Piers also accommodate fishing in the sea without the use of boats.
What is a Dock?
In British English, dock is an enclosed area of water in a port used for loading, unloading, building or repairing of ships. A dock can be constructed by building enclosing harbor walls into an existing natural water space, or by excavation within what would otherwise be dry land. A dockyard is an area with docks and equipment for repairing and maintaining ships.
How big should a pier be?
12" diameter piers should be more than enough and you good put a bell shaped footing form on the bottom if you wish to spread out the weight even more.
Why is a larger diameter pier needed?
That is because you are spreading the weight over more area per footing.
How thick should a deck be for a 4x4?
That is assuming you are using a 4x4 which is 3.5" square. You will have to wait for the cement to cure and then back fill over top.
How is a post anchor secured to concrete?
Notice the post anchor on top is secured to the concrete with a J bolt dropped into the cement and the post is set up off the concrete surface.
Do deck footings take work?
Deck footings take work to install . You have probably experienced all digging and preparation a proper footing foundation for any light outdoor structure like a deck or a shed requires.
What is the purpose of footings on a deck?from hunker.com
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.
What is a 2 ply deck?from plasticinehouse.com
You are limited to two-ply beams – that means two pieces of lumber, such as two 2x8s nailed together for use as a deck support beam. When using a two-ply deck beam atop 4x4s, you are limited in terms of how far you can space your deck support posts.
What Should Deck Board Spacing Be?from decksdirect.com
From natural and pressure-treated decking options to the rich, versatile colors of composite deck boards; learning how to install deck boards properly can truly make your outdoor space shine to its fullest. Whether attaching the deck boards via wood deck screws or color-matching deck fasteners, or using a proprietary hidden deck fastener system; learning what deck board spacing should be is crucial.
Why Deck Railing Post Spacing is Important?from plasticinehouse.com
The importance of deck post rails is pretty straight forward. Deck railing posts are what support your deck rails, which in turn keep people from inadvertently falling off the deck. Improperly spaced posts can make a railing weak, creating a hazard that can cause serious injury and even death.
What happens to deck support posts as joist length increases?from plasticinehouse.com
On the other hand, as your joist length increases, so does the diameter of your footings that your deck support posts sit on.
Why spacing bolts on deck railing?from plasticinehouse.com
Proper spacing of bolts ensures that the deck railing is securely attached to the deck. Bolts that are spaced improperly can damage the post or the joists, eventually causing the posts to loosen, creating a hazard.
What does a deck beam span tell you?from plasticinehouse.com
What they do tell you is the maximum length of a beam for a particular joist span. For example, the table will be called something like “deck beam spans”. This is confusing because it is not only telling you the beam span but also telling you maximum distances you can space your deck support posts.
What is a deck pier in San Francisco?from ehow.com
Calculator. A deck pier in San Francisco. Deck piers are long stretches of pathway elevated above soil or water. Pier footing is constructed at the base of pier support legs and submerged under soil. Footing is made out of concrete and acts as the central base of the pier.
How many inches per foot of pier for a deck?from jlconline.com
For sizing pier diameters for small foundations, the rule of thumb is “1 inch per foot of span.” Thus, a deck that spans 8 ft. will stand comfortably on 8-in.-diameter piers, while a deck that spans 10 ft. requires 10-in.-diameter piers. For spans longer than 12 ft., add a second row of piers and a second girder at the center of the joist span.
How wide is a platform beam?from ehow.com
For example, a platform beam measuring 12 inches wide requires a 24-inch by 24-inch footing. Therefore, a pier with 12-inch wide platform beams requires a footing on the bottom of each support post measuring 12 inches thick and 24 inches by 24 inches. Advertisement.
Do we consider circular sections in piles?from justcalc.com
If a pile has a circular section, then we do not consider the latter parameters in the calculations.
