[drtbk4ever]

Hey Guys,

Rebuilding my deck and have a question about my deck beam. The beam is 17 feet long and will be a double 2X10 pressure treated. Three posts with the two outside posts in about 12 to 18 inches from the end resulting in the beam being cantilevered. See below.

I cannot find any pressure treated lumber longer than 16 ft. For that matter, I can't find any dimensional lumber around town longer than 16 feet. So that means I am going to have to splice my beam. The only place to do that is on the middle post so both splices will be together sitting on that middle post. I'd like some expert comments onthat.

Is this OK or should I look for 17 foot manufactured beam. Glue lam or whatever they are called. Remember this is outside.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

So you are using the existing posts w/new beams?
What were the old beams?

 

[drtbk4ever]

So you are using the existing posts w/new beams?
What were the old beams?

Yes, I am using the old piers, new posts on the piers. And I can't remember if the beam was one piece or if it was built up. Doh...

 

[Gary in WA]

1. How high off the ground?

2. What is the joist span to the next bearing?

3. What size, species of floor joists?

4. What size posts?

5. Is it attached to the house?

The tension, compression on the two piece beam needs to be addressed for a Simpson post cap, possibly by an Engineer. Give us the other info. first, please. Be safe, G

 

[drtbk4ever]

I have answered the questions below in red.

1. How high off the ground?Bottom of beam is 13 inches off ground

2. What is the joist span to the next bearing?10 feet, which is to code here

3. What size, species of floor joists?2X8 pressure treated spruce, again is code here

4. What size posts?4X4 posts.

5. Is it attached to the house?Yes

The tension, compression on the two piece beam needs to be addressed for a Simpson post cap, possibly by an Engineer. Give us the other info. first, please. Be safe, G

 

[Gary in WA]

I'm not an engineer. I would imagine they would recommend two post caps like this: On each side- AC: http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/AC-ACE-LPCZ-LCE.asp With a flat strap as a MST27 on each side: http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/HRS-ST-PS-HST-LSTA.asp Be safe, G

 

[Clutchcargo]

Can't you special order a 20' 4x8? It will probably cost $100 but it may be worth it if you don't have to think about the splice.

 

[ARI001]

Check with 84 lumber they may have 20' in stock. I remember seeing some 20' 2x10's and 2x12's in the lumber area at one about a year ago. May have been a special order for someone though.

 

[drtbk4ever]

I checked with the "specialty" lumber yards around here. The owner of one store said he would have order a lift of them.

We don't have 84 Lumber stores here in Canada. I will make a few phone calls to a few other lumber places.


GBAR, I already picked up 6 of those AC Strongtie post caps. I'll look into the strapping if I can't find a 20 footer anywhere.