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n0c7 · 04-18-2009, 10:00 PM

I want to build my first deck. The picture below depicts what I have to work with. A 10ft long, 7 inches wide ledger board attached to the house. I cannot attach another ledger board to the other half of the house because the basement has a finished ceiling. From ground level to the top of the ledger is approximately 1ft. I have a gravel pad that spans 20ft, the width of the house, and is 123 inches long. I would like to build a deck that is the size of the gravel pad.

I need some advice on where to start regarding how to dig piles, should I contract this part out and just do the attaching and cutting? I'm not sure what the best span between joists would be for this size deck or if I should overhang past the 123 inches, etc, etc.

I live in Alberta Canada and we go from lower than -30C in the winter and past 30C in the summer(if we're lucky).

Wildie · 04-18-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0c7

I want to build my first deck. The picture below depicts what I have to work with. A 10ft long, 7 inches wide ledger board attached to the house. I cannot attach another ledger board to the other half of the house because the basement has a finished ceiling. From ground level to the top of the ledger is approximately 1ft. I have a gravel pad that spans 20ft, the width of the house, and is 123 inches long. I would like to build a deck that is the size of the gravel pad.

I need some advice on where to start regarding how to dig piles, should I contract this part out and just do the attaching and cutting? I'm not sure what the best span between joists would be for this size deck or if I should overhang past the 123 inches, etc, etc.

I live in Alberta Canada and we go from lower than -30C in the winter and past 30C in the summer(if we're lucky).

Here in Ontario our footings must be down 4 feet, so would expect that yours would be greater than this!
The use of ledger board for a deck is unwise! Its best to make it self supporting, on its own piers!

**Scuba_Dave** · 04-18-2009, 11:19 PM

Why can't you attach a ledger board?
My ledger is held in by lag bolts, no inside access was needed
If the ledger board is secure I see not problem with using to support a deck. Just make sure that there is plenty of support besides the ledger board

A 10x 20 deck - nice size
I dug my own holes down past/near the frost line
I hit ledge on a few holes, same as my garage foundation
But the ledge isn't moving, so the deck isn't

12" high deck isn't that high
And spanning just over 10' isn' that bad

n0c7 · 04-19-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Why can't you attach a ledger board?
My ledger is held in by lag bolts, no inside access was needed
If the ledger board is secure I see not problem with using to support a deck. Just make sure that there is plenty of support besides the ledger board

A 10x 20 deck - nice size
I dug my own holes down past/near the frost line
I hit ledge on a few holes, same as my garage foundation
But the ledge isn't moving, so the deck isn't

12" high deck isn't that high
And spanning just over 10' isn' that bad

How would I safely attach lag bolts if I cannot see what is behind the sheathing? I wouldn't want to drill or hit any of the lines someone may have buried in there.

n0c7 · 04-19-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildie

Here in Ontario our footings must be down 4 feet, so would expect that yours would be greater than this!
The use of ledger board for a deck is unwise! Its best to make it self supporting, on its own piers!

I'm all ears, like I said I've never done this. I've seen 10ft high decks using only ledger board and I thought this was what they were for. Why wouldn't I want to use it and what would I have to do to make it self leveling?

12penny · 04-20-2009, 09:15 AM

n0c7.....really no need to worry about what is on the inside of the rim board. Max length of your bolts will only be 4" - 4.5". They will only protrude inside 1/2" or so.

A free standing deck would require at least 3 more footer holes 2' or so from the house. In this situation you may have to dig down to the house footers to find virgin soil capable of supporting the weight. IMO its easiest to use a ledger.

Also replace the ledger thats there if its all split and twisted.

Wildie · 04-20-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0c7

I'm all ears, like I said I've never done this. I've seen 10ft high decks using only ledger board and I thought this was what they were for. Why wouldn't I want to use it and what would I have to do to make it self leveling?

Ledger boards are used because its the cheap and easy way out! Not necessarily the best!

The worst part of a ledger board is that the siding or brick veneer must be removed to allow the ledger to be fastened directly to the rim joist!
Cutting open the siding then leaves open the possibility of moisture, wind and insects getting into the building!

You will be getting organized to install some piers anyway, so a few more isn't a big thing! And you won't even have to consider touching the house.

In my area, as soon as you start work on the structure ofa house a building permit is required! Irregardless, of how large or how much the deck will cost!

12penny · 04-20-2009, 10:54 AM

[quote=Wildie;262789]Ledger boards are used because its the cheap and easy way out! Not necessarily the best!

Mr. Wildie....the attachment of ledger boards has been accepted practice for 100 years...200...perhaps more. When properly sized, attached and flashed it provides not only a very solid and stable deck anchorage but also keeps rain, wind and pests at bay. Is it less expensive and time consuming? In most cases yes it is, but that doesnt make it the cheap and easy way out.

That being said, I went back to the original post and read again. I now realize that this structure is only 12" off the ground and I have to tell you that in this situation I would tend to agree with you in that free standing may be the better choice. However, that same deck, 10' above the ground, needs to be tied to the house.

Ron6519 · 04-20-2009, 11:51 AM

The problem with ledger boards, and I'm talking about homeowner installed ledger boards is that they don't know how to attach them, they don't know where to attach them and they don't know how to flash them so the structure doesn't rot out from under them.
I've seem them nailed up with 10 D common nails, screwed up with drywall screws and nailed up with gutter spikes.
Free standing decks are easier(better) in that they don't compromise the house structure when they build the deck.
Ron

Wildie · 04-20-2009, 05:28 PM

[quote=12penny;262807]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildie

Ledger boards are used because its the cheap and easy way out! Not necessarily the best!

Mr. Wildie....the attachment of ledger boards has been accepted practice for 100 years...200...perhaps more. When properly sized, attached and flashed it provides not only a very solid and stable deck anchorage but also keeps rain, wind and pests at bay. Is it less expensive and time consuming? In most cases yes it is, but that doesnt make it the cheap and easy way out.

That being said, I went back to the original post and read again. I now realize that this structure is only 12" off the ground and I have to tell you that in this situation I would tend to agree with you in that free standing may be the better choice. However, that same deck, 10' above the ground, needs to be tied to the house.

Within the last week, I just installed a ledger board on my own home. It is more than 8 feet from ground level and was necessary for this particular application.
At this height, it lends stability! Never the less, I have reservations about ledger boards for the above, stated reasons!
As you have noted, where stability isn't an issue, its easier to stay away from the building!

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