Deck Joist Spacing
Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16.
Deck joist spacing. Ready to start calculating how much lumber you ll need for your joists. The maximum joist spacing you can use will depend on the size and allowable span of your joists. Joist spacing for composite decking.
Most decks use 16 on center spacing for joists. As a rule the larger the deck the larger the joists. Section r507 5 notes that deck joists can cantilever up to 1 4 of the joist span.
Check that your deck frame is structurally sound. The maximum joist spans below are based on a ground snow and live load of 40 pounds per square foot and a dead load of 10 pounds per square foot. Deck joists have a different maximum span length depending upon the size spacing and framing material that you re creating your deck with.
What s the maximum deck joist span. Deck joist spacing blocking guide step 1. Run string lines to ensure all joists are level in plane.
Make sure all. But you ll notice when you look at the portion of the span table for joists with cantilevers that the joist span for decks with a cantilever is often less than the span for the same sized joist without cantilevers. Once you know your decking material and its maximum recommended span you can then refer to the deck joist span table below.
Some brands like weardeck let you get away with more reinforced with a layer of fiberglass on both the top and bottom weardeck boards easily allow for spans of 24 inches oc. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12 on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans. For example joists spaced 16 inches from the center of the joist next to it can span 1 5 times in feet the depth of their inches.