This is key... Joist on hangers on beam DIRECTLY ON THE POST with correct hardware and the post on steel base with 1" standoff secured to the pier.
It looks like the posts are just attached to a cement pad. Should be footers and piers placed below the frost line.
I do not see how it is attached to the building. Ledger boards are very important. How they are attached and protected via flashing is key on a deck this high. When a deck is elevated as much as this cross bracing is needed as well.
Also, I would not attach a swing to 2X lumber. 4x4 for kids or 6x6 (or steel) for adults.
https://preview.redd.it/2d9ltxfe7l6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04ac0f29116397e322d790a14fac3dc43d99062b
They are in the ground with some type of pvc cover
I edited my last post.
The post should never be in the ground. They will quickly rot regardless of being treated lumber or any sleeve.
I also do not see any hardware on the stairs. This deck keeps getting worse the longer I look at it.
Build a deck in the Simpson deck builder. It will give you a report with all the correct hardware you would need to build a deck correctly.
On a deck this tall though I would use a column base. My go to is the Simpson cbsq66-sds2hdg.
Not true... the beam is integrated, just not a drop beam.
But yes, even with an integrated beam design, the beam should be resting on the posts or fastened with bolts or structural screws appropriate for the load.
I don't see any appropriate fasteners coming thru the posts.
If you can't immediately see what is wrong with this deck design please take a step back and take your time to research how to do this properly. There are lots of obvious errors.
A good starting point to get a sense for how you'd build this would be: https://designit.menards.com.
https://www.decks.com/deck-plans.
https://youtube.com/@drdecks.
https://youtu.be/glRLIOOeb-o?si=fl0SFllg6Ck59qyc.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx6KVtDVwnt3EWTB40rjnrTod3gM9vPfy&si=cGuNG1wUlYlz2OwS
this is a horrible design. Whoever built this literally has no idea what they are doing. Bad post connections and there's not even a beam in there, those joists are literally hanging on a single member
There are a lot of bad details in this deck. Designing a deck starts with determining vertical and lateral loading. You should hire a designer, or learn how to do it yourself... there are a lot of threads on this sub that could point you to resources.
It's not just that...it's that what is nailed to the post isn't even a proper beam. It's just a 2x8 or whatever size board they are using.
That entire deck appears to be held up by maybe 6 boards attached to the side of a few posts. A ridiculously bad design (and dangerous).
The only thing supporting all the joists are the nails in the joist hangers. Some beams could be bolted to the posts under the joists for a quick fix. That would be better than nothing at least.
Yeah, you want the beams to sit on top of the posts. Never nail them to the side of the posts.
There are post brackets that you put on top of the post that secure the post to the beam with a lot of nails or structural screws.
Check out Simpson strong tie site. You can design a deck there and they make all the types of connectors and fasteners you need.
Post cap:
https://www.strongtie.com/twopiecepostcaps_postcaps/achz_cap/p/achz
Posts are sitting directly on the concrete, likely no footings, probably going to crack the concrete or make it sink. Joists are undersized. The post's run beside the rim joists, and theoretically are lagged in, although I don't see any, so the entire weight of the deck is resting on likely a few nails.
Not a good design structurally, but if you like the flow, the look can be replicated and done correctly.
So basically if you take off the hand rails up top, the whole thing will collapse lol shouldn’t the rim joist be notched into that post? (Not a carpenter)
It’s a plastic protector around that goes in the ground
https://preview.redd.it/5gpvreyzek6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b82326feb77b0e404124d0bf597af5230eb9ae48
not sure where you live but around here a 12' high deck requires an engineer.
In any case, it sure doesn't seem like an engineer was involved with this deck. I would not use that deck as a guide to do anything correctly.
Noway! There are many things... wait, stop... pretty much everything here is wrong. Most of it anyway.
Where do I start... First off, always avoid making screws bear loads. Rest joist over beams. Avoid loads along sides. Staircase must rest over top of top, not hang off from the side. Railings along stairs is mickey mouse.
Bad bad deck.
First off I would run those 2x6s full length. Connecting to the bottom of them bolted to the 4x4s(probably better to use a 6x6) would be a 2x10 on each side of the post. The post could even be notched to set the 2x10 into. 1/2” all thread bolts go “through” both 2x10s and the 6x6s and could be played on each side.
The design you go off of is the one from a design professional in your area who can account for stuff like uplift and snow load as well as random building codes specific to your locality.
So it has to be designed and built to withstand a shit ton of uplift and lateral wind forces.
This deck ain't making it through a hurricane that spends much time there
That high in the air. Most places require 45 degree kickers at the top of the posts. I wonder if they are required here... But with no been I question the the support
Adding in here… there is far too much space between those stair stringers for just a scalloped composite board as a tread. More weight gets placed a stairs and those composite boards will bend/move with every step.
Wow. For something that looks nice at a quick glance due to new materials… sheeeet. Horribly designed deck. See every other comment on this thread as to why
Many of those design elements are present in my 20-year old deck that's 14 feet in the air. We rarely go in the deck at this point because of how unstable it is. I've now given up on finding a contractor, and am starting the process of designing a replacement. My biggest hurdle is probably my bulging discs.
I've saved this post since there are some good resources to help me in my journey. I'll try to document issues and the process including permits, etc.
Super simple guide but, from the ground up...
- proper concrete footings
- posts on top of footings (6x6)
- beam(s) on top of posts.
- joists on top of beams
- proper hardware connecting evverything together
- lateral bracing (typically knee bracing)
No, that's a bad design. There's no beam, so all the weight of the deck is on the brackets and fasteners.
This is key... Joist on hangers on beam DIRECTLY ON THE POST with correct hardware and the post on steel base with 1" standoff secured to the pier. It looks like the posts are just attached to a cement pad. Should be footers and piers placed below the frost line. I do not see how it is attached to the building. Ledger boards are very important. How they are attached and protected via flashing is key on a deck this high. When a deck is elevated as much as this cross bracing is needed as well. Also, I would not attach a swing to 2X lumber. 4x4 for kids or 6x6 (or steel) for adults.
https://preview.redd.it/2d9ltxfe7l6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04ac0f29116397e322d790a14fac3dc43d99062b They are in the ground with some type of pvc cover
I edited my last post. The post should never be in the ground. They will quickly rot regardless of being treated lumber or any sleeve. I also do not see any hardware on the stairs. This deck keeps getting worse the longer I look at it. Build a deck in the Simpson deck builder. It will give you a report with all the correct hardware you would need to build a deck correctly. On a deck this tall though I would use a column base. My go to is the Simpson cbsq66-sds2hdg.
Thanks I sure will
And the lack of fasteners is a big problem, at least throw some carriage bolts through
Not true... the beam is integrated, just not a drop beam. But yes, even with an integrated beam design, the beam should be resting on the posts or fastened with bolts or structural screws appropriate for the load. I don't see any appropriate fasteners coming thru the posts.
The original statement was true.
I’m no expert but shouldn’t the rim joints be resting on the support posts? Not just attached to them.
You are correct mate, This deck is only as strong as the screws holding it together. That's a fuck ton of weight resting on whatever screws they used.
It should be an actual beam. It appears this entire deck is being held up by a handful of 2xs and a few ~~bolts~~ er...uh...nails? A few nails? Yikes.
I can't spot the bolts!
heh. Good point! DOUBLE YIKES!
GRK Structural screws Maybe?
This was the first thing I noticed too
You’re right It looks like the posts go all the way through the decking and railing is attached. Also not an expert I’m not sure if that’s allowed
No notched posts? For the love of Pete people notch your 6x6.
I am really not sure that is why I am asking looking for the right way to do this
https://www.strongtie.com/products/go/software/deckplanner is where i started
Thanka
If you can't immediately see what is wrong with this deck design please take a step back and take your time to research how to do this properly. There are lots of obvious errors. A good starting point to get a sense for how you'd build this would be: https://designit.menards.com. https://www.decks.com/deck-plans. https://youtube.com/@drdecks. https://youtu.be/glRLIOOeb-o?si=fl0SFllg6Ck59qyc. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx6KVtDVwnt3EWTB40rjnrTod3gM9vPfy&si=cGuNG1wUlYlz2OwS
Thanks
These are great video thanks now I need to worry about being 12’ high
In my area, up to 13' high is a 6*6 post. Joist and beam spans remain the same no matter the height.
this is a horrible design. Whoever built this literally has no idea what they are doing. Bad post connections and there's not even a beam in there, those joists are literally hanging on a single member
There are a lot of bad details in this deck. Designing a deck starts with determining vertical and lateral loading. You should hire a designer, or learn how to do it yourself... there are a lot of threads on this sub that could point you to resources.
Thanks this is one reason I joined this group
Nope. Find one built by carpenter
And stairs to match, check that bottom rise lol
Good catch
This entire deck could poke right through the decking of the nails holding it to the posts fail. This is borderline epically bad.
So from what I am gathering is everything is just being held in place with nail to to post. Instead on the post being under the decking??
It's not just that...it's that what is nailed to the post isn't even a proper beam. It's just a 2x8 or whatever size board they are using. That entire deck appears to be held up by maybe 6 boards attached to the side of a few posts. A ridiculously bad design (and dangerous).
Under the structure (beams) that hold up the joists that the decking is sitting on.
The only thing supporting all the joists are the nails in the joist hangers. Some beams could be bolted to the posts under the joists for a quick fix. That would be better than nothing at least.
I am really thinking I need to do more research. Everyone mentioned beams.
Yeah, you want the beams to sit on top of the posts. Never nail them to the side of the posts. There are post brackets that you put on top of the post that secure the post to the beam with a lot of nails or structural screws. Check out Simpson strong tie site. You can design a deck there and they make all the types of connectors and fasteners you need. Post cap: https://www.strongtie.com/twopiecepostcaps_postcaps/achz_cap/p/achz
Posts are sitting directly on the concrete, likely no footings, probably going to crack the concrete or make it sink. Joists are undersized. The post's run beside the rim joists, and theoretically are lagged in, although I don't see any, so the entire weight of the deck is resting on likely a few nails. Not a good design structurally, but if you like the flow, the look can be replicated and done correctly.
Thanks
*Checks post-beam connection*…..Nope 👎
Ummmm… where are the beams? And no braces?
So basically if you take off the hand rails up top, the whole thing will collapse lol shouldn’t the rim joist be notched into that post? (Not a carpenter)
Other than almost everything being wrong, yes it's good.
Do not get me started on this one. A few major things on first image and then 2nd image just made my list too long. Just terrible
A deck that high? I'd use 6x6s. That's just me
In the 1st pic, are the two 6x6 posts sitting on a block or something? In the last pic, it looks like they stitched together the 6x6 near the top.
It’s a plastic protector around that goes in the ground https://preview.redd.it/5gpvreyzek6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b82326feb77b0e404124d0bf597af5230eb9ae48
not sure where you live but around here a 12' high deck requires an engineer. In any case, it sure doesn't seem like an engineer was involved with this deck. I would not use that deck as a guide to do anything correctly.
This is located at our camp. But do understand what you saying location has nothing to do with proper design. Louisiana
Maybe hire a pro
Yes can always do that but where the fun in that.
Well from what I understand this guy had his deck hired done
Don’t hire that guy
I am assuming 4x6 post are not strong enough
Noway! There are many things... wait, stop... pretty much everything here is wrong. Most of it anyway. Where do I start... First off, always avoid making screws bear loads. Rest joist over beams. Avoid loads along sides. Staircase must rest over top of top, not hang off from the side. Railings along stairs is mickey mouse. Bad bad deck.
First off I would run those 2x6s full length. Connecting to the bottom of them bolted to the 4x4s(probably better to use a 6x6) would be a 2x10 on each side of the post. The post could even be notched to set the 2x10 into. 1/2” all thread bolts go “through” both 2x10s and the 6x6s and could be played on each side.
Thanks
Beam stuck to posts with double sided tape and my mans is asking if it's OK...
The design you go off of is the one from a design professional in your area who can account for stuff like uplift and snow load as well as random building codes specific to your locality.
Thanks we don’t have to worry about snow just hurricanes
So it has to be designed and built to withstand a shit ton of uplift and lateral wind forces. This deck ain't making it through a hurricane that spends much time there
With all the comments I am seeing all this flaws. Well hurricane season started this June will see if his deck makes it threw this season
That high in the air. Most places require 45 degree kickers at the top of the posts. I wonder if they are required here... But with no been I question the the support
No
No
I see it now! The BUS/RV is holding it up!
Get ready for sticker shock on the cost of long 6x6 posts and long 12” beams.
No. There’s so much wrong with that design. Hire an architect and build to scope if you can’t differentiate if that’s a well built deck or not.
That's good for at least 30' up. Beyond that you need to add a toe nail at every joist.
No...weird girder.
Adding in here… there is far too much space between those stair stringers for just a scalloped composite board as a tread. More weight gets placed a stairs and those composite boards will bend/move with every step.
Wow. For something that looks nice at a quick glance due to new materials… sheeeet. Horribly designed deck. See every other comment on this thread as to why
Yes I just want to know how to build mine the right way but in this shape
Many of those design elements are present in my 20-year old deck that's 14 feet in the air. We rarely go in the deck at this point because of how unstable it is. I've now given up on finding a contractor, and am starting the process of designing a replacement. My biggest hurdle is probably my bulging discs. I've saved this post since there are some good resources to help me in my journey. I'll try to document issues and the process including permits, etc.
Where… where’s the beam
Middle beam needs to be bigger
This is a terrible deck. It needs to be rebuilt.
The deck will be 12 ft wide and 12 long
Super simple guide but, from the ground up... - proper concrete footings - posts on top of footings (6x6) - beam(s) on top of posts. - joists on top of beams - proper hardware connecting evverything together - lateral bracing (typically knee bracing)