I’m getting ready to put an Ipe deck on the back of my house. For many reasons I’d like to use the existing footings that are already there, which leaves me with a 10′ joist span and a 10′ beam span. Unfortunately, because of this the profile of my deck will be fairly thick beam (a 6×10 or 4×12 if I use Doug. Fir). One option I’ve though of is to use joist hangers on the outer beam, but then I give up being able to have the deck cantilever out over the yard at all.
Question: Are there any alternatives to traditional pressure treated structural lumber that would have a lower height profile (even 8″ height would be ok)? I’m thinking of using a built-up beam out of Ipe 2×6’s or of using an outdoor gluelam beam, but I can’t find the structural specifications for these anywhere.
Thx,
Hal Landvoigt
Replies
Hal, I guess you are working on a second story deck? you can use 2x8 joists and 4x8 beams 8'o.c. for posts or 2x6 and 4x6 6' o.c. for posts but what would you rather have? Thicker profile or more posts and beams?
If I were building a 10' second story deck I would use 2x10 and 4x10 10' o.c for posts.
I would canterlever 2' on the beam and 2' on the joists
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"