I’m curious how many of you out there would agree with the method of beam attachment in the freestanding deck article. Why would you go to all the trouble of putting in 6×6 posts on footings (36″ ?) deep and then hang the beams on the side of the posts using bolts? It would seem to me that either letting the beam into the post or better yet just sitting it on top with a post connector would be a much better way to go. Doesn’t this method violate the whole concept of transfering the load directly down thru the post to the footing?
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Yea, I wondered that when I read the article too. Our inspectors in this area don't allow bolting to the side of the post anymore - have to have the beam sitting on top of the post.
On the other hand, I haven't heard of any problems with the decks we were building fifteen or twenty years ago with the beams bolted to the posts.
Mike