[poolecw]

I'm building a free standing deck and will have two beams. Floor joists will sit directly on the beams. Each beam will sit on top of 8" concrete piers. Question is this... what connector do you recommend to connect the beam to the pier? Also, which type of hurricane clips do you recommend for the beam to joist connections (Simpson Strong-tie H1Z Z-Max or H2.5AZ)?

Thanks.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

First suggestion is to discuss the project with your local building inspector, and determine what code controls your project. If you have no inspector, do not need a permit, or there are no codes that control, I suggest you review the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide, available here. The guide includes detailed descriptions of how to build just about everything on a deck, including details of the required connections between posts and beams, joists and beams, and how to splice beams. All of your questions, and more, are addressed in the guide, including diagrams and descriptions of how to do the work.

http://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA62012-DeckGuide-1405.pdf