Multilevel Deck ledger question.
TheDudeAbides
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I’m going to take down my existing deck and make my first deck installation. My plan was to step out onto about a 12′ X 6′ section of deck and then step down and have the rest of the deck about 2′ – 3′ lower than that. My quesion is, how do I do that?
My existing ledger is lagged to the house, and below that is an old stone foundation. It seems to me that my 12’X 6′ section would be secured to the house by the ledger…but would my lower deck be free standing?
I would just forget the whole level change idea and build right off the ledger, but I’m trying to get “underneath” the sound of a train that runs behind a 15′ stone wall in my back yard.
Replies
Well aren't you going to have posts supporting the deck oppisite from the house.
Those should be on some sort of pier pad or footing depending on your local codes.
Then fasten lower deck ledger to those posts.
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Well yes, the lower deck would be supported on posts, but I'm just concerned with the lateral stability of it.
what plumb said.
When we build a step down the second level ledger is let into the 6x6 below the outside rim of the first level.
Oh, but I see what you're saying. If I attatch the top half of the lower level to the bottom half of the upper level and connect them with a couple stairs, that would give me the lateral stability that I'm concerned about. Right?
I think you're on the same page as me.
If you have a two level deck, you will have to have posts at the outside of the upper level, we use the same post to attach the ledger/rim of the second level at the appropriate height, let into the post and through bolted together.
I'm having a hard time picturing what you mean in my head. When you say on the outside of the upper level, do you mean having posts on the front of the upper level where I would attach the ledger of the second deck at whatever height that I want?
Your deck is going to be attached to the house and move out into the yard where you will need posts to hold it up. The same posts that you are using to hold the upper level deck up can be used to hold up the second level
My upper deck will be 4' high, and the lower deck 2' below that. How would I attatch the ledger of the lower deck to the posts supporting the upper deck? Lag them through the post? Notch the post? Sandwich two 2x8s?
What are you using for posts?
For 6x6 post's I'd notch the first of a doube leger into the posts, through bolt the ledger into the posts with two bolts per post, and bolt the legers together every 32" or so between the posts.
With 8x8 posts (which we've only used a few times) I'd notch both into the post and still bolt together as before.
How far above the ground is this deck going to be?
Thanks for your help. I'm getting what you're saying now. The top deck is about 4' and lower deck is going to be about 2' off the round. I can see your eyes rolling... Sometimes this disgruntled HVAC tech can be a little slow on the uptake. ;)
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