Questions on a deck I just built. - Page 4 - DIY Chatroom

stearns86 · 10-11-2009, 08:44 PM

Well I fixed the "issue" per the pics above with the girder. I used 2 2X10's. You surely can see the girder, but once the wood dries out I will paint it the same color as the posts. I am confident this will take care of the "issue" I was concerned with. Here are the pics.

Tonyeo · 10-12-2009, 01:24 AM

How many bolts did you put through the new beam per 4x4 post ?
I noticed that you put 4 in the original one, has this now significantly effected the strength of those 4x4's, also when the pressure treated posts dry out will this split and fail where the bolts are side by side ??
I am not trying to rain on your parade just worried that if they do fail it could cause injury to you and your young family and I would hate for that to happen.

stearns86 · 10-12-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonyeo

How many bolts did you put through the new beam per 4x4 post ?
I noticed that you put 4 in the original one, has this now significantly effected the strength of those 4x4's, also when the pressure treated posts dry out will this split and fail where the bolts are side by side ??
I am not trying to rain on your parade just worried that if they do fail it could cause injury to you and your young family and I would hate for that to happen.

2. 1 top and 1 bottom. It will be fine. When I did this, I had someone come over that had a clue. If he would have been over when I was putting it together I wouldn't have had to do this.

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-12-2009, 09:24 AM

Looks like any possible sag problem is gone
I think the white will look nice once its all painted
Are you using paint or stain?
I keep saying I'll use stain...but trying to use paint I have left

stearns86 · 10-12-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Looks like any possible sag problem is gone
I think the white will look nice once its all painted
Are you using paint or stain?
I keep saying I'll use stain...but trying to use paint I have left

I am using paint. I painted those posts white. Since its pressure treated lumber you have to let it dry out and then you need to use primer, and then paint. Behr makes this new primer plus paint that I used. Once it gets dryed out, I will paint it. The reason I painted it white was because that is the color of the vinyl railing. The deck is brown. I like how the colors offset each other and color matching that composite decking would be a nightmare also.

stearns86 · 10-13-2009, 12:17 AM

Thanks again for all the help.