Ground level deck - screws or bolts?

rsmith0399 · 05-27-2010, 07:59 PM

I am building a ground level deck to extend the size of my patio. 8' of the deck is over the old patio. 7.5' of the deck is over ground. I used 2x4s as sleepers that run the full length of the deck. The 2x4s set on the patio. Pillars were poured over the ground area and extend above the ground about 1.5". The 2x4s are doubled over each pillar and a 4x4 is sandwiched in between to use as a leveler. The doubled 2x4s are set on 12" centers.

None of the deck is touching the ground. The whole deck rides on the 4x4s, which are setting on roofing shingles so they do not contact the ground.

Each of the 2x4s are fastened to the 4x4s with 6 to 8 3" deck screws.

My question is (finally). Are the deck screws enough to support the deck? Or do I need to put a bolt through each 2x4/4x4?

Thanks!

rodu · 01-10-2012, 05:31 PM

since the deck is at ground level the screws would be enough, however, as a precaution you may want to remove the screws on every other 4x4 and replace with either lag bolts or bolts that go all the way thru.

woodworkbykirk · 01-10-2012, 08:35 PM

personally i would just use galvanized gun spikes.. 100 x faster and much much cheaper than 3" screws.. its sitting at grade. it cant go anywhere

titanoman · 01-10-2012, 08:55 PM

Um...I guess.
I don't believe I've ever seen anything like that before.

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abracaboom · 01-10-2012, 09:16 PM

Just the screws should do it.

You could have used continuous 4x4s and saved yourself from all those 2x4s, but hey.

**kwikfishron** · 01-10-2012, 10:08 PM

There's a waste of materials and labor.

titanoman · 01-10-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwikfishron

There's a waste of materials and labor.

I'm serious. I've been around the block a few times and have never seen anything like that.
I can't help it, I keep going back and studying it more. What about that 45 action?

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abracaboom · 01-11-2012, 01:30 AM

There's more to a job than time and materials. I'm sure that Mr. Smith derived great pleasure from building it, and if he 45d a corner, there must be a good reason for that (fancy board design).

I'll bet those 2x4s are dead level along the whole plane!

titanoman · 01-11-2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracaboom

There's more to a job than time and materials. I'm sure that Mr. Smith derived great pleasure from building it, and if he 45d a corner, there must be a good reason for that (fancy board design).

I'll bet those 2x4s are dead level along the whole plane!

I'll bet not. You can see the waves in it.

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robertcdf · 01-11-2012, 01:53 PM

Ummm... I'm also at a loss for words... Sometimes a deck is not the answer and a paver stone or concrete patio is the answer.

05-27-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
rsmith0399 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 11	Ground level deck - screws or bolts? I am building a ground level deck to extend the size of my patio. 8' of the deck is over the old patio. 7.5' of the deck is over ground. I used 2x4s as sleepers that run the full length of the deck. The 2x4s set on the patio. Pillars were poured over the ground area and extend above the ground about 1.5". The 2x4s are doubled over each pillar and a 4x4 is sandwiched in between to use as a leveler. The doubled 2x4s are set on 12" centers. None of the deck is touching the ground. The whole deck rides on the 4x4s, which are setting on roofing shingles so they do not contact the ground. Each of the 2x4s are fastened to the 4x4s with 6 to 8 3" deck screws. My question is (finally). Are the deck screws enough to support the deck? Or do I need to put a bolt through each 2x4/4x4? Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

01-10-2012, 05:31 PM	#2
rodu Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6	Ground level deck - screws or bolts? since the deck is at ground level the screws would be enough, however, as a precaution you may want to remove the screws on every other 4x4 and replace with either lag bolts or bolts that go all the way thru.

01-10-2012, 08:35 PM	#3
woodworkbykirk journeyman carpenter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: nova scotia canada Posts: 2,239	Ground level deck - screws or bolts? personally i would just use galvanized gun spikes.. 100 x faster and much much cheaper than 3" screws.. its sitting at grade. it cant go anywhere

01-10-2012, 08:55 PM	#4
titanoman Disabled wood vet Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: California Posts: 1,646	Ground level deck - screws or bolts? Um...I guess. I don't believe I've ever seen anything like that before. Sent from a Samsung Galaxy S2

01-10-2012, 09:16 PM	#5
abracaboom Retired carpenter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 303	Ground level deck - screws or bolts? Just the screws should do it. You could have used continuous 4x4s and saved yourself from all those 2x4s, but hey.

Ground level deck - screws or bolts?