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Message
Building a wood deck
Posted on 3/21/25 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 3/21/25 at 2:50 pm
Putting up a wood deck around my pool, yes trashy above ground pool. I'm in the middle of nowhere, don't care. It's an oval pool, 18x33, basically building the deck halfway on each of the ovals then out to the house.
I'm pretty sure I'm over building it by a good bit. 4x4 posts cemented in the ground, went 4x4 over 6x6 since the tallest post will only be a few feet out of the ground.
Going with double 2x10 beams on top of the 4x4 posts. 2x8 joists sitting on top of the beam on one side, joist hanger on the other (ground slopes, don't have the room to do on top of beam everywhere).
No beam span is greater than 8 feet, no joist span is greater than 9 feet.
How much am I over building it? My concern is kids running and jumping off of it, and having 5-10 people hanging out on the deck at a time so want it sturdy. Overall size will be about 40x20.
I'm pretty sure I'm over building it by a good bit. 4x4 posts cemented in the ground, went 4x4 over 6x6 since the tallest post will only be a few feet out of the ground.
Going with double 2x10 beams on top of the 4x4 posts. 2x8 joists sitting on top of the beam on one side, joist hanger on the other (ground slopes, don't have the room to do on top of beam everywhere).
No beam span is greater than 8 feet, no joist span is greater than 9 feet.
How much am I over building it? My concern is kids running and jumping off of it, and having 5-10 people hanging out on the deck at a time so want it sturdy. Overall size will be about 40x20.
4
Posted on 3/21/25 at 3:49 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
My concern is kids running and jumping off of it
How big are the kids?
You could use 2x6 for all beams and joists. 16" spacing on joists.
Posted on 3/21/25 at 4:21 pm to 2 Jugs
Young kids. 10 is my oldest.
Posted on 3/21/25 at 5:03 pm to BoogaBear
You’re plenty good. I like it like that.
You might slip in an angle brace or two for lateral stability.
You might slip in an angle brace or two for lateral stability.
This post was edited on 3/21/25 at 5:07 pm
Posted on 3/21/25 at 7:14 pm to 9rocket
Thoughts on setting the posts, should I dig a hole put a concrete base in and let that dry before putting posts in, or am I good to drop in post and pour in place?
Good clay under, so not really concerned with sinking. Just unsure if I need to take the extra step.
Good clay under, so not really concerned with sinking. Just unsure if I need to take the extra step.
Posted on 3/21/25 at 8:18 pm to BoogaBear
Really like Post Protectors for this
Posted on 3/21/25 at 8:19 pm to BoogaBear
I have put in 4x4 posts for decks and for fences and always just put the post in the hole and poured concrete around them. Never had any issues.
Posted on 3/21/25 at 8:30 pm to FlyDownTheField83
quote:
have put in 4x4 posts for decks and for fences and always just put the post in the hole and poured concrete around them. Never had any issues.
This is how I've always done it, for some reason I'm questioning myself on a deck this big
Posted on 3/22/25 at 8:17 pm to BoogaBear
Don’t use concrete for footers. Too time consuming and overkill. Use these. I’ve built many decks that are solid as hell and still standing after 20 years with these. Cheap, easy, solid.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 9:45 am to MasterDigger
Search history is a bit concerning but thanks for the tip.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 6:24 pm to PaBon
What this guy said about needing concrete.
Also, use 2x6 instead of deck boards. Deck boards curl almost immediately.
Also, use 2x6 instead of deck boards. Deck boards curl almost immediately.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 8:25 pm to alajones
My plan was concrete the posts closest to the pool and deck block on the other stuff as I worked away from the pool.
Posted on 3/24/25 at 5:32 am to BoogaBear
Treat the boards with boracare or some type of anti-fungal. Deck boards of today are not treated like they used to be and tend to rot MUCH faster than the old boards from the 90's and earlier.
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