Need some deck building advice please!
The existing 6 deep x 12 wide deck is way too small. I would like to add a 12 ft deep x 16 ft wide addition to this.
My idea is to remove the handrail from the existing deck and use it as a large landing.
The new deck would be 14 inches lower (one step then onto deck). I have a few questions…
1- can I use the 3 existing 4 x 4 posts to support my new lower ledger board?
2- if so… since the new ledger is 16 ft wide and the old deck is 12 ft wide can the 4 ft extension (to the near side of the photo, closer to the bedroom windows) terminate at a 4 x 4 post for support.
3- you can see the builder put a ledger around the whole house at the level of the current deck; can I hang a couple of 2 x 10s vertically off it to support the ledger board needed 14 inches lower than the existing ledger to support the house end of a small fill in deck to complete a partial wrap around. That fill in deck would be 6 ft deep (depth of existing) and 4 ft wide (to match the new decks 16 ft width).
4- if that won’t work should I cut away a chunk of the vinyl siding so I can attach a 4 ft section of new ledger for that small piece of the wrap around deck?
Replies
kenora...
i think i would extend your deck to the left at the same level as the existing
your house is so high above ground level tat you gain almost nothing by stepping down
the new addition could be 12' deep by whatever you want
the ell formed by the junction could be a great place to start your steps to the ground
i'm thinking half way down to a landing ... then turn either 90 or 180 and continue to the ground
your starting premise has a lot of problems
but hey, whadda i no ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 3/14/2008 9:41 pm ET by MikeSmith
Edited 3/14/2008 9:41 pm ET by MikeSmith
I would consult an engineer on the post issue but I don't see why you couldn't attach to the posts.
I would personally wrap it around and lag and shield a new 4' ledger to the foundation (with spacers) and add a post in line with the existing ones to carry the ledger out the extra 4 feet. then run new post further out as needed for the other end. again have someone size the posts, ledger, cary beam, footing size, and number of lags. A deck that size can hold a lot of people which is a lot of weight.
"it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."
Bozini Latini
http://www.ingrainedwoodworking.com
Ken-- Trust Mike on this one... never hang off a ledger on a second level...bad idea.
And don't use those original footings... I never trust footings built by anyone else.
Make them adjacent...same level and wrap that deck around the house. If that little deck doesn't move in a couple of years...go ahead and bolt them together. Make sure that ledger is secured properly please.
Build heavier than you think you need--you may find it lasts 30 or 40 years. We go 20% heavier than code as a rule.
Hey... do you even have building inspectors up there? Is there more than a hundred people in Kenora yet? Just kidding!
L
GardenStructure.com~Build for the Art of it! Decks Blog
1- can I use the 3 existing 4 x 4 posts to support my new lower ledger board?
The issue isn't the posts but rather the footings. Unless you know their size and depth (below frost), I wouldn't hang 3x the existing weight on them.
2- if so... since the new ledger is 16 ft wide and the old deck is 12 ft wide can the 4 ft extension terminate at a 4 x 4 post for support.
The "if so" is the problem, but otherwise that would work if properly footed.
3- can I hang a couple of 2 x 10s vertically off it to support the ledger board needed 14 inches lower than the existing ledger to support the house end of a small fill in deck to complete a partial wrap around.
You can do this, if done properly. But you have to spread the shear stress by using split rings or (as I did in these photos, 1-1/4" copper couplings set in a hole-saw kerf around each lag bolt).
View Image View Image
4- if that won't work should I cut away a chunk of the vinyl siding so I can attach a 4 ft section of new ledger for that small piece of the wrap around deck?
You could, but why expose the wall (looks like an all-weather-wood foundation) to moisture when there's already a (hopefully) properly-flashed ledger just for this purpose.
I would agree with Mike that it would make more sense to simple extend the deck to the other corner of the house at the same level using new footings and posts.
Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Edited 3/15/2008 1:54 pm ET by Riversong