For best results refer to our wood and composite deck joist span table.
Deck joist to beam connection.
For the strongest connection of joists to the support beam the joists should sit on top of the beam.
A double 2x beam can rest on a notched 6x6 post as shown.
Notching a 6x6 post to support connect to a deck beam.
Also in this episode we talk about the benefits of installing hurricane ties between the joists and beam.
You should overhang at least a couple of feet on each side of the beam.
In our photo the 6x6 post was notched to leave a thick component that could be through bolted or lag bolted to the girder.
The larger the deck the larger the joists.
Joist hangers are the most common piece of hardware on a deck and have a pretty straightforward job but you might be surprised how many carpenters get the installation wrong.
In these cases the overlapped joists help tie the framing together by combining the rigid members over a beam.
Deck framing page 16 beam to post page 12 post to concrete page 11 joist to beam page 14 a system of key connections throughout the deck framing also known as a continuous load path is essential to building a safe code compliant deck.
The longer the overlap distance the stronger the connection.
Sistering joists is commonly used when adding onto an existing deck or repairing a deck.
In typical deck construction with a ledger on one side of the joist and beam on the other the size of the joists is driven by the size of the deck and based on the general maximum spans mentioned above.
Our deck code guide can be a helpful reference to an engineer who is just getting acquainted with decks.
Additionally it goes detail by detail ledger connection joist to beam connection beam to post connection etc through a typical deck and identifies the relevant building code requirements 2012 and 2015 irc ibc and connection options.
When this system of connections is made properly loads are transferred.
The most under appreciated connection on a deck frame is probably the one between a post and the beam it supports.
This article series discuss best porch deck construction practices including choice of framing materials decking or flooring choices installation how to select and use deck and porch structural and flooring fasteners actual deck porch framing construction details connections deck joist beam span tables how to build leak proof.