Terminology Of Decks
When you start on a journey of planning, building, or updating a deck, there are a lot of terms you should know. Take a look at this graphic put together by Wood Magazine. If you’re a visual learner, it’s especially helpful. They’ve also defined all of the different terms. Armed with this information, you should feel confident moving forward with your wood deck construction.
A deck is essentially an outdoor floor supported by a frame, posts, and footings secured in the ground; assembled in stages; and built from the ground up. The following terms define all of the important components of a typical deck.
Beams or girders: Hefty framing members (usually 4x, 6x, or doubled or tripled 2x stock) attached horizontally to the posts to support the joists.
Bridging: Short pieces of lumber between joists that strengthen the framing. They are designed to prevent the joists from twisting.
Decking: 2x or 5/4 stock attached to the joists to form the deck floor.
Footings: Concrete columns below grade that support the posts and, thus, the deck. On sites where the soil freezes and thaws, concrete is poured in an above-grade form and a cylindrical hole. Ask your building department for footing depths in your area.
Joists: Horizontal framing members (usually 2x stock) fastened on top of the beam or flush with the ledger to support the decking. A header is fastened to the ends of the deck?s interior joists. Rim joists or end joists are the outermost joists perpendicular to the ledger.
Joist hangers: Metal fasteners that allow you to fasten the joists in place without notching the ends of the board. A joist hanger secures a joist to a ledger or rim joist.
Ledger: A board (usually 2x stock) attached to the house to support one side of the deck.
Piers: (not illustrated) Precast concrete pyramids made to set on in-ground footings. Where frost heave is not a factor, piers set directly on the ground to support posts.
Post anchors: Metal framing connectors that attach posts to piers or footings. They raise the base of the posts slightly above the top of the footing, protecting them from water damage.
Posts: Timbers (usually 4x or 6x) set vertically to support the deck framing. Posts are used on all but the shortest decks. The posts can be cut off below the deck surface, or they may rise above the surface to provide support for the railing. Posts may rest on top of concrete footings or they can be set plumb in the hole before the concrete is poured.
Rails: Horizontal components of railings that provide a safety barrier and handhold for stairs or along the sides of the deck.
Railing: The assembly made of rails, rail posts, cap rails, and balusters or spindles. The balusters, the smallest vertical components, are positioned to fill the space between the top and bottom rails and between rail posts. Maximum baluster spacing for child safety is 4".
Risers: Boards covering the vertical spaces between stairway treads. Although shown in the drawing, risers are often omitted on deck steps and other exterior steps.
Stringers: Long, diagonal framing parts (usually 2x12s) that support stair treads. The stair treads are attached to the stringers.
Treads: The horizontal, stepping surfaces of a stairway.
Now that you've learned what some of the terminology means, we hope it will help you feel a little more comfortable planning your deck project! Understanding these commonly used terms should give you a steady foundation to stand on.
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MAZE LUMBER
1100 Water Street
P.O. Box 449
Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742
Phone: 815-223-1742
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ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly informative and well-organized guide to deck construction terminology! This graphic from Wood Magazine is a game-changer for anyone embarking on the journey of planning, building, or updating a deck. As a visual learner, I truly appreciate the clarity it provides in defining and illustrating each essential component. I particularly appreciate the attention to safety considerations, like the maximum baluster spacing for child safety, showcasing a thorough understanding of the needs and concerns of those undertaking a deck project. The comprehensive coverage of risers, stringers, and treads further enhances the reader's understanding, making the whole process seem much more approachable. Woodworx Carpentry offers top-notch Decking in Diamond creek ,services.
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