What is code for deck joists
Victoria Simmons
Published Apr 23, 2026
Most decks use 16″ on center spacing for joists. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12″ on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans.
Should deck joists be 2x8 or 2x10?
2×8 for joists will be fine, with 16″ OC. Should use 2×10 for beams but 2×8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2×8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.
What is the maximum span for a 2x6 deck joist?
2-grade 2×6 joists can span up to 10 feet 9 inches from beam to beam when spaced the standard 16 inches apart with a maximum live load of 30 inches per square foot.
What size joists are required for a deck?
Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.How thick do deck joists need to be?
Most composite brands have the same thickness, but softwoods and hardwoods will range from 1″ to 2″ thick for decking. Softwoods should be at least 1 1/4 inches thick for a 16″ on center span. 2 inches thick will allow for a 24″ on center span.
How far can a 2x8 span for a deck?
Using this rule, a 2×6 will span 9 feet, a 2×8 will span 12 feet, and a 2×10 will span 15 feet. As you can see, the larger the depth, the longer the span.
Should deck joists be 2x6 or 2x8?
For upper-level decks, 2×10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. … Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″.
How many joists do I need for a 12x12 deck?
For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists.Can I use 4x2 for decking joists?
4 x 2 Timber Rail / Joist These decking joists are the most common sized framing timber for decking. They provide a solid structure for fixing your decking boards too. When making your decking frame you should use a 400mm spacing between your timber joists.
Do you need to use joist hangers when building a deck?Are Joist Hangers Necessary? No, joist hangers are not necessary.
Article first time published onHow many footings do I need for a 12x16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
How far apart should support beams be on a deck?
Deck joists are typically spaced either every 12 inches or 16 inches on center. The maximum joist spacing you can use will depend on the size and allowable span of your joists.
How far apart do support beams need to be?
The span of the joists the beam is supporting also determines the maximum deck beam span between support posts. According to IRC, a two-ply 2×10 beam supporting a joist that spans 8 feet between supports requires beam support posts every 9-feet. Whereas a 10 feet can span up to 6 feet 6 inches.
How far apart can joists be for 5 4 deck boards?
Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches. If you will run decking at an angle, you might need to put the joists closer together.
What is the standard floor joist spacing?
Floor Joist Spacing: How Far Apart Are Floor Joists in a House? Floor joists are typically 12”, 16”, or 24” apart in a home. Most common spacing for floor joists is 16” o.c.
Can I use 2x6 for deck boards?
Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.
Can I use 2x8 for deck boards?
Q: Can I use 2×8 treated lumber as deck boards? A: No, that’s a not a good idea. Lumber wider than 6 inches should not be used as a flat surface. Wide, flat boards have a tendency to pool rain water, which can lead to cupping problems.
How far can a 2x8 span without support?
In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet. Based on all factors though, a 2×8 joist span is 7′-1” to 16′-6”, and a rafter 6′-7” and 23′-9”. In this guide, we’ll explain what span means in terms of construction, factors that impact the span, and how much weight a 2×8 can support.
Are 2x6 strong enough for floor joists?
2 Answers. 2×6 joists at the span that you are talking about (16′ and 18′) are not strong enough to support a floor as a living space. With a span like that the timber size that you sister in would have to be at least 2×10’s.
How much load can a 2x8 support?
Span (feet)Weight Supported (lb)2 x 2″ x 6″2 x 2″ x 8″42250469061680313082660
How far can a 2x10 span without support?
A 2×10 beam – made up of two 2x10s nailed together – can span up to 11′ without support beneath a deck that is 4′ wide. For a more normal-sized deck, the same beam can span 8′, supporting a deck that is 8′ wide.
Can 2x8 be used for floor joist?
The rule of thumb is 1″ of depth for each foot of run. EX an 8′ span should have a 2×8 joist. The same rule of thumb applies to door and window headers but you should use 4x wood.
Is 2x4 OK for decking?
Yes but you will need to support the 4×2 at their midspan with something to stop any flex, usually posts or beams are used but if you’re tight for space dig a channel out of the ground a bit, tamp some scalpings down and bed preformed 4×3 concrete lintels down level and in line and support the joists off these.
Can you use 3x2 for decking base?
3×2 can be used but you’ll have to support it more frequently throughout its length, say every five feet or so.
What size timber do you use for decking frame?
The frame The key to constructing a good decking area is the frame. If the decking is being built on a low level it should be built of C16 graded treated joists 45 mm by 95mm (4×2 approx.). However if you are building a raised deck you should use 45mm x 145mm joists.
How many Trex boards do I need for a 12x12 deck?
Board lengthBoards required8 FT20612 FT13716 FT10320 FT83
How many deck blocks do I need for a 12x12 deck?
Deck DimensionSquare Feet of DeckNumber of Deck Blocks 12″ x12″ Supporting 2000 lbs8×86448×1080410×10100410×121206
What size joist do I need?
For example, assume the clear span is 15 feet 6 inches. Round up to 16 and divide this span by 2, giving you 8. Next, add 2 to get the required joist depth. In this example, 8 + 2 = 10, so a 2×12 floor joist will be required (it’s important to use the actual lumber dimensions, not the nominal dimensions).
Can I use screws instead of joist hangers?
Outdoors use 16d double-dipped galvanized nails (or stainless steel when called for) for installing hangers. … The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don’t have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.
What size screws joist hanger?
A standard 2×10 hanger requires eight fasteners. Using #9 screws will still support the joist sufficiently with 350 extra lbs to spare. Both screws and nails will support the deck, but #10 nails will do even better.
How much weight will a joist hanger support?
Joist SizeMin Capacity lbs2×64002×85002×106002×12700