So this week coming I’m going to start rebuilding the porch. For those of you who have been following my project, you’ll remember I had to remove it so the house lifter could get the steel under the house.
I plan on bolting 2×8’s either side of a 4×4 post to carry the joists above. The porch is a big L, with one post doing double duty when the beam across the front will meet the one along the side. I figure I can have the two outer most 2×8’s meet in a mitre on the outside of the post at 90 degrees to each other. Than one of the remaining 2×8’s can go along the inside of the 4×4 meeting the outside 2×8 forming a “T”. Now here’s my question, how best to carry the weight of the remaining 2×8. I was thinking a joist hanger on the inside 2×8 which it meets at 90 degrees.
Anyone got a better idea?
Kevin
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The merits of using a 6x6 have been recently well debated on another thread. While I don't want to reopen that discussion, using a larger post would allow you to notch the fourth 2x8 that you describe (if I understand your description correctly) into the post (the 2x8s on that leg would be sistered and not separated by the width of the post). If you are wedded to the 4x4, it's hard to say whether or not a joist hanger will provide the necessary strength without knowing the orientation and spans of the joists planned for above. If I remember correctly, the deck is not huge, therefore, I'd think the joist hanger would be sufficient since it is only supporting half of your beam.
The engineer called for 4x4's and I regret not bumping it up to 6x6's. Having said that, I can cut the already concrete anchored 4x4 post base out and do a retrofit, 6x6 adjustable post base with anchor bolt either epoxy or wedge anchor. Might make the whole thing easier. If I stick with the 4x4 post, to answer your question, the 2x8 also supports the porch post supporting the porch roof.
How about sistering both beams, miter the ends of each, and then notch the post on both adjacent outside faces to receive the inner half of each beam. This would still give 2 inches of post in each direction to run the bolts.
Not a bad idea. But I find it easier to sandwich the post with the beams. This way if the 2x8's are really 7 1/2" for one and 7 1/4 for the other it makes no difference so long as the tops are level. Remember, there are 8 posts in all with only the corner one presenting a problem.
just reread this post, delayed the porch assembly since dirt arrived for backfill. Wanted to do that first anyway.
Your idea had 1 of the 2 boards on notched post so the second board's dimension was not important, missed that first time.
I'd use a 6x6 notched for the beams. If it's visible it will certainly look better too.
4x4's LOOK too small in nearly all applications even if they can carry the load.
won't be visible, and I'd have to remove the simpson base already in the concrete, probably lose a day switching them out.