I have a client that has a second floor deck (actually a platform). Carpenter ants have completely destroyed two of the main beams. The existing beams are double 2×10’s (11ft out from the house and 12ft wide)and the whole thing rests on two hollow posts. My intention is to simply rebuild the framing to match the original structure (home-owner needs to fit his screens in the openings).
Heres my question: I intend on using metal corner brackets on the beam intersections, but what considerations/suggestions do you guys have for uplift concerns?
Is uplift a big worry this is a finished platform thats about 110 sqft. The original posts were simply restsing on the concrete.
Replies
Seems to me 2 Qs - Tieing in the corners, and holding down the posts.
1/ Simpson 'strongties' are connections for the beam-to-beam and post-to-beam assemblies. Try them.
2/ There are brackets for earthquake resistance that are bolted with expanding bolts/anchors to the slab and the bottom of the posts. Will that work for you?
Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
I'm not worried about tying the corners. I already plan to use simpsons there. My concern was about potential uplift issues. The anchors will probably work fine.
Thanks
I'm a little confused... what do you mean by hollow posts? Are they steel? If so, you could get flanges welded to the top and bottom to allow you to bolt to the concrete and to the underside of the wood structure. The should do a pretty good job of preventing uplift.
Also, what's meant by a platform vs. a deck? Does that mean it has solid plywood sheathing rather than decking boards?
By hollow posts I meant (I guess) a box beam/post. 4 1x6's put together to form a box. So the posts are wood. Yeah thats what I meant by platform, its not decking its beadboard below and plywood on top.
Yeow....no 4x4 inside.....run.......
4x4 inside is no problem, I dont disagree with you at all. However, this structure has stood for about fifty years on hollow posts and still would be if not for carpenter ants that ate away the corner of two beams.
tell you the truth, I repaired a hollow post once....clear pine & the corners were rabeted together....they don't do 'em like that anymore...
I'm back with an afterthought - I'm dubious about those hollow posts. Presumably they've held up for a while, as they are = to 2-2x6s, but I still worry that any anchor will only have a min of 'meat' to go into. Any way to fill the bottoms so there's something solid?
Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
I've been reconsidering these posts myself. I think I can utilise the hollow inside and mount a block to the base and to the upper beam. Then I can build the post around the two blocks allowing me something to anchor on both ends.
I'm not following you on part of this. 'Beam intersections'? Where and how do the beams intersect? Normally, all beams should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the joists.
Are these beams running under the joists, or are the joists butted into the face of the beams, or hanging on ledgers face nailed to the beams or in joist-hangers?
I'm in agreement with the poster who said 'RUN' on the hollow posts. Especially if this is a second storey deck. My suggestion is minimum 4x4, better would be 6x6. Cross brace to avoid racking/swaying if it's not bolted to the house.
For uplift, in that it's a platform it does make a nice complete sail area, so try to bolt down the posts and attach the beams to the tops of them nice and firmly....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Okay, not really a intersection. I'll try to explain, "deck" is ledgered to the house and the joists run perpendicular to the house and rest on a beam that runs parallel to the house. This beam is hooked to the house by two other non bearing beams that run back to the house.
Unfortunately, this may be a moot discussion. I went to present my estimate today and it appears as though i'm competing with some charity construction company, I couldnt dream of doing this job for what this guy is offering.
the joists run perpendicular to the house and rest on a beam that runs parallel to the house. This beam is hooked to the house by two other non bearing beams that run back to the house.
Those two non-load-bearing 'beams' running back to the house don't sound necessary to me. The joists tie the main beam to the house more than sufficiently, unless there is something very unusual about your set up....
I went to present my estimate today and it appears as though i'm competing with some charity construction company,
Around here, that 'charity construction company' is frequently known as BIL Construction. Don't try to compete; you'll either be wasting your time or falling for his bluff.
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Dino, tell me, is BIL a bona fide, or some acronym for the HO's BS?Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
The acronym BIL stands for Brother In Law.
I don't know how many times in the old days when I was still innocent enough to give 'free estimates' I turned one in and got the reply, 'Oh, my Brother In Law says he can do this for (30% of my bid)....'
The appropriate answer is, 'Fine. Have fun, boys.' And walk off....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Do you actually give free estimates? I've been trying to get the locals out of that disgusting habit. Myself, I warn them on contacting me that I do so, and that often puts off the cheapskates. But I will do a "walk-thru" estimate, not hard figures, to see if they'll bite.Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=34384.1
Not anymore....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Thamks Dinosaur for posting that thread. Phew, there's a lot to read...Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
That's not the only thread on this subject here. It's a topic that comes around fairly often, as it's an important one.
If you want to see some of the others, use the advanced search function and key in the words Free Estimate.
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Bless you, mon ami - I'm newish here, and still finding my way around.
peterCiao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
You on Salt Spring?
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
yep - is my french a give-away? Or an educated guess? Wanna buy a nice house on the ocean, lots of nice clients, laid-back lifestyle?
Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
Edited 6/13/2005 1:16 am ET by pikopete
Too warm and wet.
But Arthur Black does live there, so....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
I agree, the side beams are not bearing, they just tie everything together, aesthetically if nothing else.
As far as competing, I dont even try. I know what the materials for this job cost and this guy wont make a dime. I also know how I would build this. Who knows what his other guy is intending to do.
Edited 6/11/2005 10:23 pm ET by MSA1
Bingo.
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.