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what size deck footings do i need

by Zelda Mayert Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

What is footing size calculator?

How to determine the footing size needed to support the load?

Why is an isolated footing straight forward?

What happens if a footing is stronger than the soil?

How much snow is needed for a deck?

How to find the surface area of a footing pad?

What size footingpad for post # 2?

See 2 more

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How do you calculate footing size?

To determine the size of the footing, a simple formula is used: Structural Load (lbs) / Soil Capacity (psf) = Footing Surface Area Required (sq. ft.)

How thick is a footing for a deck?

8 inchesExterior deck footings of poured- in-place concrete shall be a minimum of 8 inches (203 mm) thick and extend below the frost depth per Table 301.2(1).

Do deck footings 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.

What size sonotube do I need for a deck?

A good size for a common backyard deck is a 10" or 12" diameter for the sonotube and a 20" base diameter. Of course, you can get a 24" base size and it will spread weight over an even greater surface area.

What is the best footing for a deck?

Even though they take a lot of work to build, concrete footings are some of the strongest materials available. They are ideal for large decks that are high off the floor. They are also perfect for supporting the weight of a hot tub or other large items.

What is the standard footing size?

Under every house is a foundation, and under most foundations are footings. Most of the time we take footings for granted, and usually we can: For typical soils, a common 16- or 20-inch-wide footing can more than handle the relatively light weight of an ordinary house.

Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?

A deck 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.

How many bags of concrete do I need for a deck of footings?

In order to have enough concrete for one cubic foot, you'll require 2.2 bags of 60-lb concrete. Since bags are only sold in whole (not half, or quarter) quantities, you'll need to purchase three (3) 60-lb. bags for one cubic foot.

How long do deck footings need to cure?

Allow the concrete to cure for one day before constructing your deck or placing heavy weight on the footing (if standard concrete mix was used, wait about 3 days to begin construction).

How many footings do I need for a 12x12 deck?

3 footingsFor 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.

How do I know what size sonotube to get?

The rule-of-thumb is to use a tube diameter 3 times the post width, therefore use a 12” diameter Sonotube for a 4x4” post.

How far apart should 4x4 deck posts be?

6 feet apartSpacing of Deck Posts The two most common sizes used for deck posts are 4×4 and 6×6. When using 4×4 posts, place them no more than 6 feet apart, and when using 6×6 posts, no more than 8 feet apart. The reason for these standards is that the railing system won't have proper support if the posts are too far apart.

How many footings do I need for a 12x12 deck?

3 footingsFor 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.

How deep should 4x4 deck posts be?

Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).

How deep should footings be for a 6x6 post?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

How deep should posts be for a deck?

Each deck support post must be supported by concrete footings. The size of each footing is determined by the tributary load imposed on it. See the diagram below for an explanation of tributary load. Footing must be dug down into undisturbed soil and to a minimum depth of 12-in below the finished grade.

Footing Size Calculations for Decks

Using the same deck as on prior page, we show how to identify the load on any given footing, which we use to determine footing size. To determine the tributary area of each post/footing, you must know the distance between posts and between beams.

Sizing Calculator - FootingPad

Disclaimer: FootingPad® by AG-CO provides this tool to assist you in selecting the best size footing to handle the weight of the structure you are building. It uses the data you provide into known equations to determine the surface area of the footing. If you are unsure about the data you enter or are need assistance in deck design, you should consult an engineer or other design professional ...

Concrete Footing Size Chart with Standard Widths

Source: Table 403.1; CABO One- and Two- Family Dwelling Code; 1995. More footing dimensions: Footing thickness - 8 to 12 inches; Footing depth - varies based on frost line and soil strength (some footings can be shallow, while other must be deep) ; Concrete Calculator - Figure out how much concrete you'll need for your footings.. You can look up the recommended footing size, based on the size ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 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:

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.

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 big is a footing?

The diameter of the footings commonly range between 8 and 24 inches. Most builders use 12-inch diameter footings.

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.

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 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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 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:

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.

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1.Videos of What size Deck Footings do I Need

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