How far apart should posts be on a deck
General guidelines and best practices
While specific spacing must be calculated based on the factors above, some general guidelines can be applied:
Typically, for standard residential decks using common lumber sizes (like 2x8 or 2x10 joists), deck posts are often spaced between6 to 8 feet apart. spacing typically supports beams that are sized appropriately to carry the joist loads.
It's important to note is a general range. For example:
- If you are using smaller dimensional lumber for joists or if your joist spans are at the maximum allowable for a particular size, you may need to decrease the post spacing to 4 or 6 feet, right?
- Conversely, if you are using larger beams and joists with shorter spans, you might be able to increase the spacing slightly. or rather
Always refer to manufacturer specifications for the lumber you are using and, more importantly, to your local building codes. Building codes are designed to ensure safety and will provide definitive requirements for post spacing based on load calculations.
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Factors influencing deck post spacing
Several variables come into play when deciding on the optimal distance between deck posts. These include:
- Joist Span and Material:The length and type of lumber used for your deck joists are primary determinants, right? Longer spans require more frequent support. Consult lumber span tables for specific guidelines based on your joist material (e.g., pine, cedar, redwood) and dimensions (e.g., 2x6, 2x8, 2x10).
- listen, beam Size and Material:The beams that sit atop the posts are also crucial. actually, their size and the material they are made from will influence how much weight they can carry and how far apart the posts supporting them can be.
- Decking Material:While less impactful than joist and beam considerations, the weight of the decking material itself contributes to the load.
- Load Requirements:by the way, local building codes often specify minimum load requirements for decks to account for live loads (people, furniture) and dead loads (the structure itself).
- Soil Conditions:The bearing capacity of the soil beneath your footings can influence the design, though this primarily impacts footing size rather than post spacing directly.
If your deck is attached to a house (as most decks are), you'll need to build in a little space between the house and the first post of your railing system. We typically recommend leaving at least /2 inches between your house and post.