The unusually mild January weather has me considering a quick outside project, mainly because I suspect I can get away without sinking a pier…
Have an alcove-like area that will get a small deck. Basically, three sides are part of the existing structure.
As I stand in the yard and look at the proposed deck site, the right side is the house (standard stick construction, no problem to work with.)
The back and left side are both existing screened porch. The front and back sides are 10 feet wide, the left and right are 7.5 feet. Stated another way, it’s 10 feet side to side and 7.5 front-to-back looking at it from the yard.
There are 4×4 posts (on piers) on the front left and back left corners, currently supporting the screened porch, which is built like a standard deck.
My thinking is that if I can attach a 10ft beam from the front right (house) corner to the front left (4×4 post) using two 2x12s, I can run the joists front to back easily.
The concern is the hardware & attachments. As I see it, I need a very solid hanger to support the beam on each side. One end of the beam has to attach to the side of a 4×4, the other to the rim board of the house. So at least the hanger that would be attached to the 4×4 has to be of the inside-mount variety. The one on the other side can’t be bolted, I would have to use lags. This is where I am on shaky ground. No pun intended.
Or I can shelf the project until the thaw and put a post in…but if I can do it right and do the work now when I am slow, that would be ideal.
I’ve built a moderate number of decks but have not had to deal with this configuration and wanted to check my thinking….so, thoughts?
Replies
How do you intend to support the outermost portion of the deck? Most away from the house?
Could you maybe bolt another 4x4 to the existing one on the left w/o running it all the way to the ground for rot reasons?Then lay your beam on that.Maybe you could even bolt one to the houses foundation.
Interesting idea....but it's a low porch/deck...the decking surface is only ~15-16 inches above the soil. So I don't think so.
Edited 1/8/2008 11:41 pm ET by si
get a pair of simpson HUC412 hangers. its a beam hanger with the nail flanges turned in. itwill fit to your 4x4, and the house. you'll just have to bump up to a 4x12 or put a 1/2" filler strip between your 2x's for the beam.
Looks like the right kind of product...assume it works for exterior use.
As far as fastening, I was assuming I would need to use a heavier fastener like lags...but nails are fine by me if they'll do the job.
Thanks.