Deck Post Size Requirements

Post spacing is going to depend on your design local building codes the size and length of your beams and the size of your posts.
Deck post size requirements. Before you can use the deck post size table in a meaningful way you have to understand the loads that your deck must withstand. The maximum cantilever allowed the amount the joist can overhang the beam or post is 1 4 the total joist span. A short 4x4 can carry an awfully big load and many deck builders use 6x6 posts as a standard regardless of the height or load of the deck. Joist span length and spacing is a function of joist size the requirements are presented in irc table r507 5.
Typical post size is a pressure treated 4 4. Not exceeding 200 ft2in. Loads on deck posts. A 4x4 post with 1 or 2 beam plies may.
The load is made up of the dead load and the live load. Beam size assembly requirements deck beam spans shall be in accordance with table 3 and can extend past the post face up to l b 4 as shown in figure 3. Joist span joists attached at house and to side of beam. For most decks post size is overlooked unless an inspector notices the unusual height of a particular deck.
R507 4 deck posts deck post size maximum height ft in 4 x 4 6 9 4 x 6 8 6 x 6 14 8 x 8 14 note. So build your deck the right way from the ground and posts up. Prescriptive residential wood deck construction guide 5 american wood council figure 1b. Contributing editor and former deck builder glenn mathewson is a building inspector in westminster colo.
Use added batter boards and string to mark rows of posts. In conclusion 4x4s are indeed a sufficient size post to use for many many deck loading conditions. Joist span non ledger deck. Most professional deck designers and deck design software programs select the post size based on tributary area calculations.
How many deck posts should a 8 x12 deck have. Deck post size is important. Once you decide the distance measure from the house for the first row of boards. But if there is any doubt the additional cost to use 6x6s instead is small compared with the total cost of a deck.
The tributary area is the portion of a deck supported by each deck post. The international residential code requires railings on any deck that is more than 30 inches off the ground. That means that once you have the footings in place you need to install posts which will support the beams that in turn support the joists that support the decking and eventually you your family and friends.