Deck Question

gmhammes

OKay, so on friday i will be installing a new sliding glass patio door off the back of my house. It will be replacing an atrium type window. I curretly have a back door in the launcdry room however is just a standard steel door. This door leads onto the back deck. I will need to extend/redo the back deck in order for the new sliding door to walk out onto it.

So heres my question. Currently the deck is free standing (about 12-14 inches off the ground) no ledger board.
Is it best to have a ledger board or no? The current deck tucks up nice to the current back door, will it do the same and be okay for the sliding glass door?

Let me know if i need to clarify anything and as always thank you in advance for your help!!!

gmhammes

Maybe some pictures will help... I'll get some up in a couple of hours.

Scuba_Dave

A free standing deck is better then a ledger board
As long as there is room between the house & deck for debris & water to exit
And as long as the house is sided & sealed correctly at that point

Pics will help to make certain

gmhammes

Thanx dave! Since there is currently a decent free standing deck already in place and it is sound, i should have no problem simply extending it. I'm glad a got a firm response because i really wasn't looking forward to cuting my cedar siding.

Pictures to come and i will have a few questions, i'm sure.

gmhammes

Some pictures of what i am working with...

Scuba_Dave

Yup, that low & setup definitely not a ledger
Much better free standing

gmhammes

Perfect! demo and layout begins this weekend.

gmhammes

Okay, door is installed now time for the deck. I tore up the boards and the deck is suppoorted by 2x6's for both the beams and joists. I am guessing because the deck is so low o the ground is why the previous own did it this way.

My question is what should i use? I am ripping out the existing posts and all so a relatively clean slate. Obviously if i go bigger than 2x6 i'll have to dig!

Going to purchase lumber tomorrow so the sooner the better with your responses is greatly appreciated.

gmhammes

i know there a bunch of deck pros out ther!

gmhammes

Maybe some current pictures will strike some interest!

Scuba_Dave

Is this going to be at the same height as the existing deck ?
Seems like that would be best
Both free standing, no attachment to the house
Is the existing deck on any footings below the frost line ?

gmhammes

Yeah, kinda need to be the same height as the existing deck.
In the end there will only be one deck (old one coming out), 14x21ft
Yes, the current deck has 8 post dug below frost line.(i plan on not using the existing posts, but what do you think? I have the old decking off and can post pictures in the morning but wanted a little information tonight so i am not rushing tomorrow.

Thank you dave again, you always seem to pull through!

Scuba_Dave

I think there is something in code about a deck post needing to be same depth as house footing if within 5' of the house
But I thought that was only if the deck is attached to the house
So the problem with using the old posts is that the new posts would need to be dug in

I'm not sure of the soil in your area, IE frost heave
Seems like the best bet would be the blocks that you set on the ground & then set the beams on top of the blocks
OR there would be a short post to bring the beam up to where you want it

Example, but best solution is the beam sits right in the pocket of the support
The newer blocks have pockets for the beams to sit in, or a post as shown

gmhammes

thank you dave.. what about in regards to using the 2x6 beams and joists?

Scuba_Dave

Beams sizing depends upon how far apart between posts/supports
Joist sizing then depends upon how far apart the beams are & size of the beams
I've used decks.com & a few other online calculators to check spans
Plus I look at span calcs too

http://www.decks.com/article41.aspx