Attachment of decks and steps to buildings has frequently caused major problems in a few years’ time with water infiltration and rotting of siding, sills, and floor framing.

During the beginning of his career, Rick Jewell, a contractor in Maine, worked on countless rot repair jobs, noticing flashing failures and different failed attempts of standoff attachments such as washer spacers and pipe spacers. In an effort to seek a more effective method for avoiding the rot issue, Mr. Jewell asked his local lumber dealer if there was a bracket that created a standoff for steps and decks, because every time he had to replace a door, the floor and sill under it was rotted. He was told no, and the clerk said, “Why don’t you invent one?” Taking this suggestion to heart, the first Maine Deck Brackets were built the very next day.

The Maine Deck Bracket is made from the aluminum alloy 6061. It is mounted in a way that protects the building from water infiltration. The mounting flange, being behind the siding with only a one quarter inch horizontal surface protruding through, leaves very little chance of water getting behind the siding. The deck framing is mounted on the external flange that stands off, away from the building, so after the rain and inclement weather wets everything down the air space allows it all to dry out.

When using conventional deck mounting with flashing or small spacers, leaves, dirt and other debris, gets trapped next to the building and stays wet. That environment creates a haven for insects and promotes rotting of wood sidings, and eventually the framing of the building.

This time tested product has been in service since 1987. It is a smart investment for any building with a deck or steps attached. The Maine Deck Bracket was in the BOCA code for years before shifting over to the ICC code. The ICC report ESR-1331 can be viewed on our web site.

For more information, please visit deckbracket.com.

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