Connecting on grade deck to footings
I need help identifying the right hardware/tie for my upcoming deck design and build. The outdoor on-grade deck will have a doubled-up 2x piece of PT lumber as the front flush rim joist. I’d like to use an offset post base to hold the rim firm and in place off the ground along the series of footings i’ll be putting in. I cannot seem to find post-to-concrete hardware that are 3″ and suited for a doubled 2x. Everything I find is measured for 4×4 posts (3.5″ x 3.5″) instead and does not ideally fit the beam connection I’d like to use. I see other hardware sized for double 2bys, like post caps, joist hangers, etc. but not post bases that are an actual 3″ width. Any product recommendations or solutions ? I read a separate thread that dissuaded from using a plywood spacer but i could do that i suppose if that was the only recommendation. It would seem to me using a spacer between doubled up 2x’s would decrease the rigidity and effectiveness of the girder i was trying to create.
While my design will be different, essentially the visual from the attached TOH post captures what I’m doing. Unless I’m totally blind, I just can’t find a Simpson or other tie that truly fits the bill.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/decking/21016509/how-to-build-a-simple-deck
Replies
Not sure what’s wrong with a PT plywood shim.
That’s what’s recommended in this article:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/decks/framing-a-grade-level-deck
(See the pdf for a diagram that shows a plywood shim)
https://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/ssttoolbox/uxpjkttqpn/C-C-2021-p68-69.pdf
Shims are the specified method to use.
Check out the pdf that was mentioned above. The ply spacer/shim goes alongside the dbl’d up beam to fill the connector opening. There is not a ply filler between the joist members. Use a solid pvc or other composite spacer/block if you don’t want the plywood.
@user-67, @unclemike and @calvin, thank you so much for those links/pointers!
All of your input has been super helpful. Shimming it came to mind but i figured there might be a specific connector better suited for the task. Admittedly my headspace was locked into a spacer rather than shim which i was totally not feeling good about or wanting to do.
I do appreciate the various examples and the Simpson data spec made it clear what their recommendation is.
Thanks again to all three of you. I really enjoy all the support and knowledge on this site.
A quick follow up question but actually related to the same post base hardware beam installation. Just looking for some personal thoughts on your recommended approach.
As mentioned previously, I’m choosing to double up my rim joist/beam and the plan was to plunk it right into a series of ABU46z’s – which I will now shim, thank you. I’d like to have a single "wrap around" step (not totally wrap around but along the entire front) which I was going to create a box instead of mini stringer and bolt on to the rim joist/beam. Any thoughts pro or con to using a larger Post Base to accept the 2x for one side of the step box? In essence it would be tripled 2x going into the post base – double coming from the rim joist beam and instead of just bolting the step on, allowing it to also be in the Post base along with being bolted on?