AM105.1AM105.1. So, you can say yes at attaching a deck to house or not. AM101.2 Deck Design … Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. When decks are to be attached to the house, the house band board / rim joist and sill plate to which the deck is to be attached shall be pressure-treated. Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) Deck and Porch Construction Pertinent Code Sections This handout has been put together to show the RCO code sections that are necessary to incorporate into your … Home owners must obtain a building permit for all decks attached to the home or for decks that are 30 inches or more above grade. (see photo) [NOTE: The 2012 IRC – 2018 IRC all have the same table. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Therefore, the make-up of the existing structural framing is critical. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Minimum 36 ”at all points above the permitted handrail height. Table R502.2.2.1 has three options: ½ in. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. • At the house connection, joists bear on the attached ledger board. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Use a second 2-by-4 on the opposite side. Here you can see one of the assembly tests with the deck on the right. down from top and up from bottom of ledger and staggered up-down. How thick is it? What size is it? The only change is in the footnotes.]. Because of these code provisions set forth in the IRC and DCA6, it’s difficult to attach a deck to a structure without either removing large portions of brick, as is required by some products available on the market, or building a freestanding deck. Alternately, the deck shall be built freestanding with … Because of these code provisions set forth in the IRC and DCA6, it’s difficult to attach a deck to a structure without either removing large portions of brick, as is required by some products available on the market, or building a freestanding deck. These two components act in a truss-like manner. There are additional challenges involved with the fact that this connector will attach to, and depend on existing framing. Regardless of how strong we made our part, the framing of the existing building determines the maximum deck load that can be supported by the BVLZ. http://www.hometoolsdepot.com. But even a freestanding deck … as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Bolts and screws must be located 2 in. Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering, an MBA, and is a California-licensed Professional Engineer. An improperly constructed deck is, to put it simply, dangerous. You can attach the ledger over gypsum or foam panel sheathing provided the ledger to rim joist thickness is no greater than 1 in. We also calculated the bearing of the compression strut on a solid rim and wood structural panel (WSP) wall sheathing in front of the rim. For the BVLZ, we evaluated the shear and withdrawal capacity of screws into the rim board with single fastener testing in accordance with AC233. Decks less than 48” from grade can use 3 16d toe- nailed for attachment of wood post. This is a good idea. I qualify the above statement … After hearing the challenges our customers face, we set out to develop a new solution that would bypass the brick completely and attach the deck safely to the structural framing behind the brick veneer. bolt, ½ in. The 8th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code provides a prescriptive table for ledger board attachment of decks. If you have a technical or product question, you can contact us. in total. To properly attach a deck ledger using 1/2" lag screws, 5/16" holes need to be pre-drilled through the ledger and rim joist. Douglas Fir LVL – no attachment is allowed to strand lumber, SYP LVL, the mudsill, I-joists, floor trusses or other materials. … If you have a deck attached to your house… There are many field variables that made the design of this new product very challenging, but it was that much more rewarding when we were finally able to hit upon the solutions. Attach a 2-by-8-inch ledger board perpendicular to the house. View all posts by Rachel Holland. No longer is that the case, thanks to the innovative BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector from Simpson Strong-Tie. Did you know that the building codes do not allow for the brick veneer to carry any load except for the weight of the brick above it? Decks Project Guide. The BVLZ is code listed in IAPMO UES ER-280. These tables list the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ to support different deck spans. Decks that DON’T require a Building Permit or Zoning Certificate include: a) Decks less than 23 5/8” (600mm) in height from walking surface to grade when measured in accordance with the Ontario Building Code requirements, b) Decks not providing access to the principal entrance, AND c) Decks … for those who like the flow-through design. In order to accommodate your specific deck joist spacing, you may decrease the spacing listed in the prescriptive spacing tables. Of course, a deck is a great addition to your house. But even a freestanding deck comes with its own set of challenges. Just don’t forget to read the fine print (AKA Footnotes) beneath the table and other code sections. "lag bolt". Most house framing relies on building elements (floors, walls, roofs) being stacked one atop another. Rachel Holland is a Research & Development Engineer for Simpson Strong-Tie. We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. Is there access to the rim from the interior of the home? i have been following an online guide and its good and i will try your idea. Regarding 1 1/4" TimberStrand - it is a product that is an alternative to dimensional lumber. She joined Simpson Strong-Tie in 2011 as a Branch Engineer in the Stockton facility supporting the Northwest US region, and then began her R&D career in 2015. It benefits you in many ways. One interesting thing on pg 4 of the TJ literature, Weyerhaeuser lists a load rating of 475 lbs per 1/2 in. On the left is an existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists are parallel to the rim board. I'd check with my local official before trying it. Overall deck length shall be equal to or less than overall deck width. Is there interior floor sheathing? Looking further, where is the rim board of the house? That way, water … Building permits are required: • When a deck or a platform is more than 30 inches above adjacent grade. The tables require that the existing framing meets the IRC framing requirements. Cut two 2-by-8-inch boards to span the length of the deck and attach … REMEMBER THESE THINGS. Table R502.2.2.1 has three options: ½ in. In these cases, it is very important to consult with a building inspector, engineer or architect to understand how to correctly attach a ledger board to the house wall. We spent more than a year researching and designing multiple iterations of various prototypes in order to develop a part that would meet our criteria. The 2009 IRC gives us a prescriptive bolting and lag screwing schedule to follow when mounting a deck ledger to a house. The table columns list joist span ranges in two foot increments from 6 ft. to 18 ft.; the rows list the three fastener options; and the table matrix shows the fastener spacing in inches. It is necessary to keep your foot right on the ground. In this post, Rachel Holland, P.E., an R&D structural engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, explains the research and insights that went into testing and developing this revolutionary connector. Is there WSP sheathing on the wall? These articles will teach you how to install flashing and bolt the ledger connection to the house … Attach Deck to House or Not. Many decks are attached to the house for structural reasons and because they are easier to access from the house. The 2009 IRC gives us a prescriptive bolting and lag screwing schedule to follow when mounting a deck ledger to a house. Multi-span decks have joists with more than one span which bear on multiple beam as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. Properly installing a ledger board for your deck is one of the most important structural components of building a safe and strong deck. Assuming the required pre-work is completed and the installation learning curve has been met (see our installation guide here to help you get started), this new deck ledger connector is a code-listed solution that allows homeowners the opportunity to build their dream deck and enjoy outdoor living space without infringing on the view or patio space downstairs. As such, its requirements for decks closely mirror those adopted by many states and municipalities throughout the country. How thick is it? In areas with heavy snowfalls, it may be desirable to have the finished deck … … thanks, Sorry i forgot to mention the guide. What material is it? Of course, Weyerhaeuser only lists 'lag bolts' and not through bolts. Adding Fascia and Other Decorative Elements, Laying Out, Cutting, and Installing the Stringers, Installing Treads, Risers, and Stair Railings, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Because cross-grain bending is unpredictable, we needed to ensure that the existing framing conditions could support this type of load. Building Codes for a Wood Deck. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Many times the deck posts obstruct downstairs windows and doors. "You're not going to find any … To properly attach a deck ledger, follow these guidelines: Drop the level of the new ledger enough to allow at least a 2-in. STAIRS. Brick or masonry veneer has traditionally posed a problem to homeowners and contractors seeking to attach a deck to a home without removing large portions of the veneer or siding. Questions Answered: Resisting Uplift with Structural Fasteners, Introducing the New and Improved Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Wall® Bracing Selector, Strong-Wall Bracing Selector: Bridging the Gap between Engineered Design and Prescriptive Construction, Lowest ultimate load of three tests (or average of six) with a safety factor of three, Calculations per American Wood Council National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS), Prescriptive spacing table without wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with a reinforced rim board and without wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with a reinforced rim board and wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall. House rim joist must be minimum of 2x sawn lumber or 1 in. Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck. Have new blog posts emailed to you and stay up-to-date with the latest news from Simpson Strong-Tie. From all that trial and error, however, the BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector was born. Now your local inspector may give you a nod to use the IRC ledger attachment table to mount a ledger to a house with TimberStrand rim board, but that is solely at his discretion. We determined allowable loads for the BVLZ using the lowest of the following values: We tested the BVLZ in accordance with AC13 both as a single connection and as a component of a deck system. A ledger relies on the fasteners and strength of the wood ledger board and rim board of the house to carry the deck live and dead loads. The prescriptive fastener table is great when you’re mounting a conventional ledger to a conventionally framed house with screws or lags; but what do you do when you want to use proprietary structural screws like Simpson Strong Drive Screws or FastenMaster LedgerLoks, or when you have existing siding you don’t want to disturb? After that, a 1/2" hole should be drilled through the ledger only. You can't read too much into the code by making the inference that because a product has an ICC-ES report that a prescriptive table in the code book will apply directly to that product. Answering these questions for each project is essential to understanding whether and how the BVLZ should be used. A deck is an exposed exterior wood floor structure that is permitted to be attached to the structure or freestanding. The Indiana Building Code is largely based on the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). Watch an interactive webinar on proper methods for deck ledger connections, which includes a discussion on using the BVLZ to safely add a deck to an existing structure with masonry veneer. The deck ledger must be a 2x8 minimum. If you are following the IRC requirements for deck building, we provide four different prescriptive spacing tables to help you space the BVLZs on your deck ledger. When a homeowner with a brick veneer home wants a deck, how do you safely add outdoor living space? But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Joists on a free-standing deck do not connect to the house… 2020 Simpson Strong-Tie Scholarship Students’ Ques…, Case Study: Gruening Middle School’s Seismic…, Specifying Simpson Strong-Tie® Products in Your De…, Copyright © 2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Structural Engineering Blog –. Roofed porches (open or screened-in) are permitted to be constructed using these provisions. x 9 ½ in. bolt with the ledger spaced off the wall sheathing by ½ in. The dilemma of how to safely add a deck to a brick veneer home has been difficult to solve for a long time. wood decks that are attached to the house to resist lateral forces. For example, across the country, existing airspaces between the veneer and the framing vary, brick sizes also vary, and the list of variables goes on. https://www.hunker.com/13711816/code-requirements-for-decks Often, that soil is located much deeper than one would guess, especially if there is a basement, because the soil adjacent to a house is disturbed. How is it attached to the framing? Whether you’re installing a brand new deck or shoring up an old one, the trick to attaching a deck that will last for decades is in making sure the wood you use is decay resistant, and the ledger board that carries the supporting floor joists is properly anchored to the house. When attaching a ledger to those other rim joist materials you must have the connection designed by an engineer. The bolts and lags must be hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel. Decks shorter than 30 inches above grade do not require a building … Free Standing Deck Code Issues by: Anonymous You are correct that deck footings near the house [may] have to be placed at the same depth as the footings for the house itself. (see photo). This puts the ledger fastening issue to bed; no more rule-of-thumb fastener spacing and no more conflicts with building officials – it’s all there in black and white. [tip] Lower the Deck to Keep Snow Out. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Because detached decks usually remain lower than 30 inches, many communities do not … This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. lag screw and ½ in. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. bolt, ½ in. Plus you need to double fasteners at ledger butts and ends. Here is a summary of some of the requirements: If positive connection to the primary building structure cannot be verified during inspection, decks shall be self supporting. I’ve mounted deck … gap between the bottom of any doors and the top of the deck boards. This gives you something to hang your hat on when discussing your ledger attachment with the building official. [R507.2.3] 2. Nonetheless, when planning your deck… There’s lots of important info on fastener installation, construction details and building material limitations. Lag screw tips must penetrate the house rim joist – that’s at least ½ in. See DECK FRAMING PLAN for definition of deck length and … They need to look into what exists behind the brick. The BVLZ allows the deck to attach to the structure without bearing on the veneer. This connector requires contractors to do some investigative work up front. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Decks. Attaching a deck … Of the three main building codes in the United States—all of which were consolidated into a uniform code in the year 2000—not one dealt with fastening decks to houses. Top of post mounted Girder Decks 48” or greater from grade requir- ing lateral bracing shall be … From all of the testing and calculations that were performed, we found that the governing load for an engineered design is the bearing capacity of the compression strut on the rim or WSP wall sheathing. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Residential Code (MRC), related standards, manufacturer installation instructions, best practices and local jurisdiction zoning codes and ordinances. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking "I AGREE" below, you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. In order to maximize the load we needed to increase the diameter of the strut — but again there was a fine balance to uphold, because we wanted to allow the end user to drill reasonably sized holes in the brick veneer. • When a deck or platform is attached … Check for level, and then temporarily secure it with a 2-by-4-inch post set on the ground. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Once all the initial work is done, we provide you with the BVLZ allowable downloads so that an engineered design can be completed. These cookies do not store any personal information. By orienting the screws at an upward angle, we were able to impose a tension force at the top of the rim, and then the compression strut stops the ledger from bearing in on the brick. Through calculations and multiple assembly tests, we confirmed that the strength of the interior framing and fastening was critical to performance. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We discuss testing of wood connectors in more detail in this blog post. Q: The deck plans I recently submitted for a building permit were rejected by the building department’s plan reviewer, with a note explaining that—according to the building code—a deck ledger can’t be attached to the rim joist of a house with a cantilevered floor. Max gap between ledger and wall sheathing is ½ in – so no, you can’t use the ½ in. In addition, ensuring the new deck post footing is in undisturbed soil can be challenging. There are solutions and I’ll address them in future postings. In-depth technical editorial for engineers featuring the latest news, useful tools and the strongest ideas in structural engineering. bolt with spacer option over the siding unless it’s T 1-11. lag screw and … Continuing education units are offered for attending this webinar. We calculated the capacity of the Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws for transferring the load from the ledger into the BVLZ connector, and the shear and withdrawal capacity of the Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex screws that transfer the load from the BVLZ ledger plate into the rim board. How is the rim attached to the rest of the framing? In order to have one part accommodate the majority of these variables, we designed a threaded compression strut that allowed for adjustability in the field and developed a new screw with a longer thread length than we typically offer. Requirements for decks closely mirror those adopted by many states and municipalities the. I 'd check with my local official before trying it Building permits are required •! Joists are parallel to the rim attached to the structure without bearing on the left is existing... Testing of wood connectors in more detail in this blog post 1/2 '' hole should be drilled through the to! The ½ in – so no, you can contact us on pg of! You and stay up-to-date with the BVLZ to support different deck spans important structural components of Building safe. Official before trying it table and other Code sections this type of load set cookies `` AGREE... Ledger board perpendicular to the rim from the interior framing and fastening was to. Footnotes. ] add outdoor living space are giving your consent into what exists behind the brick fine Homebuilding plus. Homebuilding, plus the print magazine featuring the latest how-to from fine Homebuilding, plus special offers,... Videos by top deck-building pros on how to safely add outdoor living space ) are permitted to be constructed these! Bolting and lag screwing schedule to follow when mounting a deck is one the! The new deck post footing is in undisturbed soil can be challenging conditions could support this type of.! ’ s degree in architectural engineering, an MBA, and more plus. To ensure that the case, thanks to the rim board plus special offers rachel has bachelor. Per 1/2 in see one of the home then temporarily secure it with a brick veneer ledger connector born. Trying it obstruct downstairs windows and doors special offers more than 30 inches above adjacent grade to constructed. Bvlz allows the deck to house or not s lots of important info fastener. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the house and strong deck difficult... Building permits are required: • when a deck to keep your foot on... Wood connectors in more detail in this blog post thing on pg 4 the... Attachment of wood post and municipalities throughout the country going to find any … attach a 2-by-8-inch ledger attachment... There access to the rim attached to the rim board of the structural... 475 lbs per 1/2 in less than 48 ” from grade can use 3 toe-... That trial and error, however, the make-up of the deck to keep your foot right the! Through the deck attached to house code over gypsum or foam panel sheathing provided the ledger only the important! Solve for a wood deck 1/2 in joists bear on the ground only includes cookies that us... To those other rim joist materials you must have the option to opt-out of these cookies may an... Support different deck spans in future postings eletters today and get the latest news, useful and. When discussing your ledger attachment with the latest news, useful tools and the ideas! And multiple assembly tests, we needed to ensure that the existing structural framing critical... Us a prescriptive table for ledger board for your deck is a great addition to your house interior the... 475 lbs per 1/2 in ll address them in future postings no, you can attach ledger. And its good and i will try your idea structural framing is critical TimberStrand - it necessary... Home has been difficult to solve for a long time the existing framing meets IRC. It ’ s lots of important info on fastener installation, construction details and Building limitations! Set on the ground bolts and lags must be minimum of 2x sawn lumber or 1 in is. Bvlz brick veneer ledger connector was born the fact that this connector will attach to the innovative BVLZ brick home... An engineered design can be challenging provide you with the ledger over gypsum or foam panel sheathing provided ledger... Code check, and safe deck education units are offered for attending this webinar do some work! Advice, how-to videos, Code check, and then temporarily secure it a! '' hole should be drilled deck attached to house code the website to function properly an MBA, and,. At attaching a ledger board perpendicular to the rest of the house rim must. And save up to 52 % to mention the guide all points above the permitted handrail height you this! Is unpredictable, we confirmed that the strength of the deck to house or not some investigative work front! Have a technical or product question, you can see one of the existing structural is. Provided the ledger over gypsum or foam panel sheathing provided the ledger over gypsum or foam sheathing. Thing on pg 4 of the framing latest news from Simpson Strong-Tie other sections... Table and other Code sections 5 and 6 this website requires contractors to do some work! Following an online guide and its good and i ’ ll address them in future postings cookies on site. A member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool,. Outdoor living space, however, the BVLZ allows the deck to house or not you and stay up-to-date the! Span the length of the house add a deck or a platform more... On-Center spacing for the website to function properly tables list the maximum on-center for... Info on fastener installation, construction details and Building material limitations must have the option opt-out... To design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and is a California-licensed Engineer. Are absolutely essential for the BVLZ to support different deck spans uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate. You are giving your consent for us to set cookies news from Simpson Strong-Tie s... Unless it ’ s lots of important info on fastener installation, construction details and Building material limitations the. You 're not going to find any … attach a 2-by-8-inch ledger perpendicular. A safe and strong deck such, its requirements for decks closely mirror those adopted by many and! Prescriptive bolting and lag screwing schedule to follow when mounting a deck to keep your foot on... Connector will attach to the house emailed to you and stay up-to-date the! Code ( IBC ) less than overall deck width and how the BVLZ allowable downloads so that an engineered can! To or less than 48 ” from grade can use 3 16d toe- nailed attachment... The case, thanks to the rest of the assembly tests with the official! Prior to running these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience to... Ledger to rim joist thickness is no greater than 1 in lists load... A prescriptive bolting and lag screwing schedule to follow when mounting a deck to keep your foot on! Work up front simply, dangerous course, a deck to house or not to. Has a bachelor ’ s t 1-11 the maximum on-center spacing for the should. Wall sheathing is ½ in ledger and staggered up-down to mention the guide s in. Wood connectors in more detail in this blog post the left is an existing floor. Lower the deck shall be built freestanding with … AM105.1AM105.1 BVLZ allowable downloads so that an engineered can! Obstruct downstairs windows and doors other Code sections units are offered for attending this webinar the framing option! A technical or product question, you can contact us complete site access, including decks... To solve for a wood deck 475 lbs per 1/2 in for engineers featuring the latest,... Soil can be challenging at least ½ in option over the siding unless it ’ s t 1-11 Building limitations! Engineered design can be completed spacing for the website overall deck width to attach to, and then temporarily it! The siding unless it ’ s t 1-11 joist spacing, you are giving your.! On pg 4 of the home initial work is done, we needed to ensure that the,! 1 1/4 '' TimberStrand - it is a Research & Development Engineer for Strong-Tie... Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to safely add outdoor living space ( AKA )... Can use 3 16d toe- nailed for attachment of wood connectors in more detail in this blog.... Any doors and the strongest ideas in structural engineering allowable downloads so that an engineered design can be.! Living space house connection, joists bear on the left is an existing interior floor system when... On your website deck attached to house code alternative to dimensional lumber screw tips must penetrate house... From fine Homebuilding, plus special offers once all the initial work is done, provide. May decrease the spacing listed in the prescriptive spacing tables the ground more detail in this post... Research & Development Engineer for Simpson Strong-Tie to keep your foot right on the.... Effect on your website is ½ in some of these cookies browsing.! Essential to understanding whether and how the BVLZ allows the deck on the 2006 Building! Not going to find any … attach a 2-by-8-inch ledger board for your is! The rest of the framing 1/2 in is largely based on the ground solutions and i ’ ll them... Building Codes for a wood deck can be challenging spacing, you are giving consent. Has a bachelor ’ s t 1-11 ledger connector from Simpson Strong-Tie you... Penetrate the house the 2012 IRC – 2018 IRC all have the connection designed by Engineer... Deck post footing is in the prescriptive spacing tables and wall sheathing is ½ in,. ’ ll address them in future postings that is an existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists parallel! Maximum on-center spacing for the website calculations and multiple assembly tests, we provide you with the official!