Beam Spacing

by Julien
(Quebec, Canada)

I'm building a 16x16 deck and I'm searching for how many beams and what spacing do I need to have between each beam.

The beams are (3x)2x6x16 glued and screwed together.

In addition, I will also need to know how many support columns or posts I need per beam (to support the beam from the ground).

Any answer you might have would be appreciated !

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Sep 08, 2009
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My 16 x 16 Deck construction
by: John from Xenia Ohio

Hi Julien,

I have a 16 x 16 deck that I built off my house. It is actually about 4' off the ground. I used 2x10x16's for the main floor joists spaced every 16" on center. They run perpendicular off the house and are attached with metal joist hangers nailed to a main ledger board which I bolted to my house, 2 lag screws vertically every 4'.

Whats neat about the deck is that it is cantelevered out 4' from a double 2x12x16' beam which is located parallel with the house and is 12' out from the ledger board. The double 2x12 beam is supported with 4x6 treated posts sunk into the ground 32" in concrete. I have 4 of these posts spaced every 4' along the beams length.

The deck is made of all treated lumber and is decked with 5/4" floor boards. I made the mistake of finishing it off with a latex based stain. Boy! was that a mistake. We have to re-paint the deck every year as it peels badly. I would suggest always using an oil based product to stain your deck with.

Anyway, I thought I would throw my two cents in here about my deck in the hopes that my building process might in someway help you with your deck building. Ideas for deck designs.com is a wonderful site and I am amazed about the quality of content contained therein.

Good luck with your deck.

John
shedking.net
barn-n-shed-plans.com

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