Positioning Vinyl Posts How Far From Edge On Wood Deck

With posts outside the joists the simplest approach is to use two posts at each corner held back far enough to line up with the second joist about 12 to 16 inches from the corner.

Positioning vinyl posts how far from edge on wood deck.

Longer stringers can span two or more posts. We recommend attaching the posts to concrete footers above the ground. Typically this is 16 inches on center measured from the center of one joist to the center of the next. Attach them to the posts following the ground contour.

First off mark where deck posts will stand in the yard. If your deck has wood support posts and a ledger board that is bolted to the house the deck posts holds up approximately 50 percent of the total weight. The top rails extend beyond the posts to meet at the corner see detail below left. Beams sometimes called girders should be two wood boards or steel posts of the proper thickness consult your local building code and plans.

Affix the boards together and use a waterproofing membrane for wood along the top edge to keep water from between the boards. As with any deck remember that any deck that is 2 feet or more above the ground must have a railing system. Typically you ll need one for each 2 feet of post height. They draw the baluster up closer to the deck edge and make a slightly firmer joint than surface mounted posts.

Most backyard decks using wooden posts rely on the 5 to 8 feet average for the post spacing but modern advancements in deck building now allow for metal posts as well as composite posts to be used in place of traditional wood. The type of post you use can also affect the spacing between posts. This helps to prevent wooden posts from rotting. If the balusters will run horizontally along your deck the 4 by 4 railing posts cannot be more that 6 feet apart.

There are several ways to set deck posts. Be sure to alternate joints on different posts and not have any joints on the gate posts. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. In general posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart.

If you re installing parting boards in the middle of the deck start marking the joist spacing from the center of the beams working toward the end joists. Use a joist scrap to be exact. Lay the beams on top of the posts in the beam brackets. Posts on the outside set back from corner.

Set footers a minimum of 6 below the frost line for your area to prevent movement during freezing temperatures. Starting with your perimeter mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.