Deck Support Beam Size for Second Floor Deck

I want to build an 8'x16' deck off my second floor but I don't want to have 3 columns. The middle one would ruin my view. What could I use?

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May 07, 2021
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Beam length ?
by: Anonymous

The calculator does not appear to ask the beam length only how many unless I’m missing something.

Aug 21, 2010
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2 columns but engineered for the job
by: Editor - Rich Bergman

You have really answered the question I think already. Two supporting columns are technically feasible so long as you have a beam that is engineered to handle that load AND the deck below or the footings it is supported by are large enough to spread the additional load over an area of soil that can bear it.

The soil bearing capacity comes into play on this one for sure. If the footings are only designed to spread the weight from an existing lower level deck and the load is close to the soils maximum bearing capacity you can expect the deck will sink over time.

So you would them add one or more supporting posts with appropriate sized footings on the beam at ground level.

One way to create a very large footing surface is to use the concrete forms made by BigFootSystems.com. The other thing you should do is play around with the footings calculator. It will give you a sense of how footing size can reduce the bearing load imposed on soil.

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