Ok, I’m not going to do this…… But what would be wrong if I did it…. Ledger to Rim Joist question
Hello all,
What is wrong with just having all my deck joist hangers (and then joists) just attached directly to my exposed rim joist and not adding a ledger to attach it to?
I can see in many cases if its a single 2x Rim Joist that wouldn’t seem like enough “thickness” to hang all that load upon and adding a Ledger thickens and stiffens up that interface quite a bit.
~BUT~ in my case I have 3 (Three) 2×10’s for my Rim/Band Joist all the way around my house (its there because its the full support for 8″ solid wall Log Cabin I am building). It seems ~plenty~ thick to support the 6′ & 8′ porches/deck I am putting around it and what would the ledger add to all this, since its already 3 deep 2×10’s ?.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am going to be adding a double thick 2×8 ledger all the way around (thats what the plans call for and the Log Cabin kit includes the materials anyway). Seems like massive overkill (as I have noticed with many things in the design – which is GREAT to me!) but I was just wonder what people that do this a lot think — I mean if I can flash and protect the 3 deep 2x Band/Rim Joists well and protect from moisture whats the difference of attached the deck dircetly to that (other than all those nail holes from joist hangers all in my Band/Rim Joists
Tom – Building my own cabin – please be gentle with me 😉
Replies
Ledger
Tom,
The connection between the ledger and rim joist is often overlooked by building officials, etc. You are wise to give it more than casual consideration. The ledger should be through-bolted, preferably to the floor joist, which are part of a diaphram system created by you floor decking. See the attached file for some applications, the pic on page one, upper left is a good example of achieving a good connection.
Good Luck,
You are right - there is plenty of strength without a ledger. However, the ledger is normally a good idea since decks rot away and it's easier to keep that from the rim if it's a separate unit.