Hello all, I am in the middle of building a 16x37 freestanding deck. 2x10 floor joists on 3ply 2x12 beams. The floor joists are spanning about 12' + 2' cantilever over the beams each side (total length of floor joist is 16' with the rim joists). Plywood sheathing (not installed yet) or the blocking above the beams and mid span. Helical pile for foundation.(The helical pile specifically said they only want a rigid frame on it. The deck right now is framed without blocking yet or... Freestanding deck swaying ..read more

I'm using Simpson deck planner and the maximum height I can get on a deck is 6'4". I want it 7' tall and it keeps defaulting to 6'4" off the ground. Can I make it 6'4" off the top of the footing ..read more

New to the forum and seeking advice. I’m doing a fence for some family friends soon and they want me to use the postmaster style post. I’ve only done my own fences and have never used that style of post. I’ve watched a ton of YouTube videos and googled the crap out of it. My question is, what is the best way to go about connecting existing neighbors fences at corners when using the postmaster post? My thoughts were to run the rails on the fence I’m doing, either lower or higher than the... Postmaster post question ..read more

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What's up guys? Long time lurker first time poster on this forum. I am in the middle of my deck rebuild and as tends to happen the wife changed her mind on the design of the deck by insisting we install a pergola on top of the deck. I believe it is doable, but wanted to get a second opinion from the trusted minds on this forum. A few notes about the new deck: 1. Elevated deck with a ledger board attached to the house and a drop beam. 2. There is a 15" cantilever from the edge of the beam... Deck & Pergola Help ..read more

We have been on a job completing two decks for someone. This client has made all of my staff so upset none of them want to return to the job. Everything we do is not good enough. He has admitted he knows nothing about carpentry, but is learning via you tube. Ugh. He has cursed at my employees and everytime we finish a project he makes us tear it apart and redo it, all while saying how beautiful everything looks, his wife made my guys tear out boards after getting down on the ground to run... Help ..read more

Was just about ready to pad myself on the back until I realized I forgot to give a little expansion gap off the wall where the tongue and groove Doug fir porch decking buts the new wall. Has a gap everywhere else. I can cut one in carefully before I lay the ridged L flashing down over it. I’m wondering if it’s even necessary to prevent buckling? It’s my first time using this porch decking which is glued to joist and blind nailed. Anyone with experience... T and g need expansion gap ..read more

I am about to make a concrete landing for stairs coming off a small porch deck. The decking will be 3/4” t and g while the risers will be painted redwood 1 1/2”. The stringers will be hanged from the pressure treated framing. This is my question: I plan to install 1x risers let’s say 3/4” thick. When I am figuring the total run for the stair layout should I be measuring from the rough framing of the deck where the stringer will actually be attached, or should I pretend there is already a... Stair run question ..read more

Hi all. I am looking for some ideas/help building the railing to my deck. I have access to a large amount of Ipe that I am planning on using for the railing, including 3.5"x2.5" Ipe posts. I am hoping to use them as the posts for my deck since they should last as long as I'm alive, and they're free. My question is with them being rectangular, will this look like complete crap using these for the railing posts instead of using something square like a 4x4? Thanks for any advice/input you... Abnormal Deck Railing post size ..read more

Hello, the fence installed by the previous owner of my property has a curious method of bracing the terminal posts. As shown in the picture, the terminal posts are attached to diagonals that are buried in concrete. They seem pretty sturdy and I want to reproduce it but I’m wondering whether there is something at The end of the diagonal to anchor it to the concrete. Thoughts? concrete ..read more