Deck Beams (Headers, Girders)

 

Beams (girders) take the loads of the floor joists and transfer them to the posts and footings.

• Maximum deck beam spans are determined using the size and species of the wood, the live load, and the effective span of the floor joists.
• Beams are allowed to cantilever at each end up to 25% of the actual span of the beam.
• Beam plies must be fastened together using 2 rows of 10d nails at 16″ on center at each edge.
• The ends of beams need to have a minimum of 1-1/2″ of bearing on wood or metal or 3″ on masonry.
• Each ply of multispan beams must have full bearing on posts.