Deck Building Code Requirements
- Ledger Board. Section R507.9.1.1 states ledger boards must minimally be 2×8 pressure-treated Southern pine or incised pressure-treated fir or other acceptable No. ...
- Footings. Section R507.3 addresses footings and states decks are to be supported by concrete footings. ...
- Posts. ...
- Beams. ...
- Joists. ...
- Decking Boards. ...
- Deck Railing. ...
- Deck Stairs. ...
Full Answer
What to consider before building a deck?
What to consider before building a deck?
- Permit Now, No Headache Later. Study your local building codes and get a permit if needed.
- Location, Design and Materials.
- Create a Solid Base.
- A Level Ledger.
- Square the Support Frame.
- Board Selection and Placement.
- Fastener Choice.
- Board Spacing.
What exactly is the rules for deck building?
Other Rules:
- The number of your good cards and the number of your evil cards MUST be equal.
- The number of sites may not exceed the number of Lost Souls in a deck.
- The maximum number of cards in a deck is limited to 252, as long as it contains the appropriate number of Lost Souls (see the list above).
How to build the best deck?
Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Defining Your Deck
- Choose a strong card as your win condition. The win condition is the card you pick as your main offense.
- Decide on a deck archetype. Each player makes a deck of 8 cards prior to each battle. ...
- Aim for an average elixir cost. ...
- Think about your play style. ...
- Make sure you will have a counter for everything. ...
- Think about the meta and create a meta counter deck. ...
What are the requirements for building a deck?
DECK BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS A Building Permit is required for a deck where the floor surface is greater than 30 inches above grade at any point. 1. General Construction a. All lumber must be pressure treated or naturally durable, such as redwood or cedar. b. All hardware must be non-corrosive. c.
What are the codes to build a deck?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW36 "minimum height when surface is 30" + above grade.200 lb concentrated load.50 lb concentrated load over 1 sqft or balusters.50 lbf vertical and horizontal load along top rail.4 "maximum gap between deck and underside of bottom rail.4 "maximum gap between balusters.More items...
How far apart do footings need to 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.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Washington state?
Short answer, yes. You absolutely need a permit to build a deck on your property in the state of Washington.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in SC?
According to the 2018 IRC, Section R105. 2 Number 10, “Permits shall not be required for decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 square meters) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 millimeters) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.
How many footings do I need for a 20x20 deck?
Quick Attached Deck Footing ChartSize of DeckBeam SizeNumber of Footings16' x 16'(3) 2×8320' x 12'(2) 2×8320' x 14'(2) 2×8320' x20'2 beams (2) 2×86 (2 rows of 3)4 more rows
How many footings 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 close to a property line can you build a deck?
For common lots, yard structures under six feet high may be located up to any property line subject to building or fire code limitations. Yard structures six feet in height or over shall be located at least three feet from any property line and shall not exceed 12 feet in height. 4. Elevated Decks.
Do you need planning permission to build a deck?
If you are proposing to create decking more than 30cm above ground level, you will require Planning permission. In addition, if you intend to cover more than 50% of the total garden area with decking, you will require Planning Permission. This is true even if the decking will be well below 30cm from ground level.
Does a deck need stairs?
Whether your deck needs stairs is related to its height above the ground. Decks require stairs when higher than 7 ¾ in. above the ground. If your deck is lower than 7 ¾ in., it usually does not require stairs; however, some states have different local regulations and building codes.
How tall can a deck be without rails?
30-inchI went to a friend's house a while back to admire his new deck. This friend was very excited, especially by how much time he saved by not adding a railing. He'd made a point of building his deck so as to stay under the 30-inch requirement--which is the maximum deck height you can have without a railing.
How much does a building permit cost in South Carolina?
PERMIT APPLICATION FEE A non-refundable permit application of $40.00 is required for all building and trade permits.
What is a floating deck?
A floating deck is a deck that isn't attached to a building and they “float” above the ground. Generally, floating decks are low to the ground and don't require handrails or even staircases. They are sometimes called “grade-level” or “freestanding” decks because they're built just above the ground level, or grade.
How many footings do I need for a 12x12 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.
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 wide should deck footings be?
FOOTINGS: - Poured concrete footings should be a minimum of 8” wider than the posts (4x4 post – 12” min. width, 6x6 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 many posts 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 building code for decks?
Most jurisdictions follow the International Building Code, which devotes one section—R507 —to deck construction. Some building departments also publish their own codes which may differ somewhat from the IRC.
How many decks are not code compliant?
According to one estimate, about half of the 40 million decks in the United States are not code-compliant. Improperly built decks can shift or collapse, injuring people in the process and causing damage to houses and other structures. Building codes are in place to ensure safety, and virtually every state and municipality enforces codes ...
What is the maximum cantilever allowed?
The maximum cantilever allowed—the amount the joist can overhang the beam or post—is 1/4 the total joist span. The code requires covering the ends of the joists with a rim joist that has the same width and thickness of the joists themselves.
What size bracing is required for a free standing deck?
The IRC requires diagonal bracing on all free-standing decks higher than 30 inches. This "sway bracing" must connect each post to the beam or joist that is supported by the post. The bracing material must be 2 x 4 lumber, and you must use a 1/2-inch through-bolt at each connection point. Advertisement.
How high should a railing be?
The railing must be at least 36 inches high, and it must include balusters that are no more than 4 inches apart. Each guard post supporting the railing must be attached to the rim joist with two 1/2-inch through-bolts and hold-down anchors capable of withstanding 1,800 pounds of force.
When do you need a ledger board?
You need a ledger board when attaching a deck to a structure.
Do you have to check the code before building a deck?
Even if you're pretty sure you have a handle on code requirements, it's important to check with the local building department before you start construction. Many states and localities have variance, easement and egress requirements that could prevent you from placing the deck in your ideal location.
Why are local codes important for deck construction?
In order to prevent potentially hazardous building practices, local building codes usually lay out a set of standards for deck construction. Although codes vary from locale to locale, many of them are based on the International Residential Code, which sets out requirements in a few key areas of deck design and construction.
What is required for a deck?
The same requirement applies to all connecting hardware such as joist hangers, post anchors and anchor straps. Metal flashing is also required over the ledger board where the deck connects to the building to prevent weakening of the connection due to water damage.
How much weight can a deck support?
In addition, the deck must be able to support a live load of 40 pounds per square foot; the live load is the weight of anything that will be on the deck temporarily, such as people and furniture.
How high should a deck rail be?
Guard rails are required wherever the deck is 30 inches or more above the surrounding grade. Guard rails on residential decks must be at least 36 inches high; the railing must also be filled in with vertical balusters, and the balusters can't be more than 4 inches apart. Stair hand rails are required on any set of stairs with four or more risers; the hand rails must be between 34 and 38 inches above the stair treads and have a diameter of between 1 1/4 and 2 5/8 inches. Stairs more than 30 inches above grade must also have a guard rail.
What is decking?
Decking. A deck should complement its environment, your landscape, and enhance your outdoor living space. Your deck, therefore, should ideally complement you and your lifestyle. Whatever your reason for building a deck—for entertaining, relaxing or outdoor living, you will need to consider materials for your decking.
How do I lay out a deck?
I lay out the deck using 12-in. ground spikes at each corner of the deck. For better visualization you can join the spikes with string to show the perimeter of the deck. This is often helpful for decisions on size, spacing, etc. I sometimes leave the strings up for a few days and ask the client to walk around, place furniture, etc., to make sure they like the size or shape of the deck.
What is a ledger board?
Ledger Board. I start all of my decks by determining the length of the ledger board. A ledger board is the part that attaches the deck to the house. It is the first board to be installed because it sets the base for the rest of the deck. Most decks begin with a ledger board connected to the house rim joist.
What footings do we dig for deck posts?
We dig concrete footings to support all deck posts.
How deep should a 2x10 joist be?
The rule of thumb says that 15 feet is your maximum allowable span for generic 2×10 joist (16” on center.) The frost line depth is not consistent around the nation because there is such a dramatic difference in climate from state to state.
How many decks are there in the US?
There are approximately 40 million decks in the United States, and only half of those are code-compliant. Deck safety is a real problem. Every year we hear about decks that collapse under the weight of people or snow load. Improperly built decks can be dangerous.
How high should a guard rail be?
Guard rails can be either 36 to 42 inches high (refer to your local code for guidance). Balusters in the railing system should also be installed so a 4-in. sphere can not pass between them.
What is the IRC code?
It’s mostly a performance-based code, which means that it sets minimum standards but leaves it to the designer to figure out how to meet them.
What is DCA 6-12?
Often, acceptance hinges on having an engineer design the detail. The DCA 6-12 is an alternative to the deck provisions in the IRC. The American Wood Council creates the design standards for wood construction that the IRC relies on. Consequently, the DCA 6-12 is widely accepted by building inspectors.
Is DCA 6-12 a prescriptive code?
Unlike the IRC, the DCA 6-12 is a prescriptive code. That is, it essentially says, “Build your deck this way.”. For most decks and most deck builders, that’s a good thing. The engineering is done, and if you follow the code’s details, you’ll build a safe, code-compliant deck. It is limited, however.
What is framing a deck?
The process of framing a deck includes creating connections between joists, beams and support posts in order to build a code compliant deck structure. This in depth section will teach DIY builders to frame a deck, from installing a ledger board and frost footings to framing the perimeter of the deck.
What can an octagon deck be used for?
Learn how to build an octagon-shaped deck. Octagon decks can be used as the floor for a gazebo roof.
Why flush beams on a deck?
Flush beams are a great solution when building a ground level deck because you may not have enough clearance for a cantilevered beam.
What is the best material for curved decking?
Learn how to build a curved deck using standard wood-framing materials. Composite decking material is more flexible for curved decks than wood.
Why do you start a ledger board against a house?
It is usually best to start against the house because the ledger board offers a stationary surface and length to pull measurements from and to attach joists to.
Can you split a deck beam in the center of a span?
Follow our step by step tutorial for splicing a deck beam over a support post. Never split a beam in the center of a span.
Can you put a hot tub on a deck?
Learn how to build a deck to properly support a hot tub or spa. Hot tubs are very heavy. Never place a hot tub on a deck that wasn't designed for the additional load.
