Asked by: Rosiane Leria
business and finance construction industry

What size should ledger board be?

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As a general rule, you should use the same size of board for the ledger as you plan to use for the joists. You can use a larger board, however, if it allows for a better connection to the house framing. Calculate the length as 3 inches less than the width of the deck framing.


Besides, can I use 2x6 for ledger board?

2x6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Joist hangers are used to attach the ends of joists to the face of a beam or a ledger board. If you identify a crown in the board, you should always install it upwards.

Likewise, how far can a 2x10 span without support? When supporting joists that span 12 feet with no overhang beyond the beam, a double ply beam can span in feet a value equal to its depth in inches. A double 2x12 beam can span 12 feet; a (2) 2x10 can span 10 feet and so on.

Keeping this in view, can a ledger board be two pieces?

You are required to have a minimum of two of those assemblies on your ledger, and your inspector could well consider a two-piece ledger as actually being two ledgers.

How far can a 2x6 Rafter span without support?

The table states that 2 X 6 rafters spaced 16 inches on center (o.c) can span a maximum distance of 13 feet 5 inches. Another option are 2 X 8 rafters spaced 24 inches o.c.

Related Question Answers

Jonna Freville

Professional

What size lumber can span 20 feet?

Max. Live Load 60 lbs/ft2 (2873 N/m2)
Maximum Span (ft - in)
Nominal Size (inches) Joist Spacing Center to Center (inches) Lumber Grade
2 x 12 24 13' - 2"
2 x 14 12 20' - 10"
16 18' - 0"

Krasimir Picassinos

Professional

How much weight can a 2x6 support?

The type of load in question will also determine how much weight a 2x6 can hold on edge. For example, a 2x4 lumber may hold a 4-cylinder engine comfortably but may not hold a bigger one. On the other end, a 2x6 can support a V8 engine of between 600 – 700 lbs.

Cheima Gayon

Explainer

Can ledger board extends past House?

If your ledger board will continue around the corner of your house, you will also have to remove the house siding corner post in addition to the siding. Sometimes, you may want to extend your ledger board beyond the house to function as a beam with a post connection at the opposite end.

Platon Tollers

Explainer

What is the maximum span for a 2x6 Rafter?

Max. Live Load 20 lbs/ft2 (956 N/m2)
Maximum Span (ft - in)
Nominal Size (inches) Rafter Spacing, Center to Center (inches) Lumber Grade
2 x 6 24 13'
2 x 8 12 21' - 7''
16 19' - 7''

Jonadab Seye

Explainer

Yaoyao Dipper

Pundit

How far can a 2x6 deck joist span?

Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches.

Vincenzo Hebeis

Pundit

How far can you cantilever a 2x6 joist?

Looking at the table below, we see that 2x6 floor joists can be cantilevered up to 2 feet and 6 inches (2'-6") when the joists are spaced 16" apart.

Tierra Morote

Pundit

Does deck ledger need to be one piece?

If possible, you will want to have the ledger be one long piece of stock. However, if the length is over 16' - 18', it may be hard to find a straight piece that long. In this case, two pieces will work. Always try to use pieces that are at least 6' - 8' long.

Frans Lightfoot

Pundit

Can you build a deck over a gas line?

Covered decks will have different requirements. No deck can go over an easement or right-of-way. Decks cannot be built over gas lines, a gas meter, a water meter or gas or water shut-off valves.

Hoz Spagna

Pundit

How many lag bolts do you put in a ledger board?

Traditionally, lag screws have been the most common method of attaching decks to buildings. 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. After that, a 1/2" hole should be drilled through the ledger only.

Oxel Paradinha

Teacher

Can you put a ledger board over siding?

In order to install the ledger board, you usually need to remove the house's siding. Never install a ledger board over the top of siding no matter what you hear, this can weaken the connection. Aluminum and vinyl siding can easily be removed with tin snips from an area one foot surrounding the ledger board location.

Yassim Kreuzenbeck

Teacher

Can I attach a ledger board to wall studs?

USP WSWH5 Washer Head Screw can be used to attach a ledger to studs through one or two layers of 5/8" gypsum wallboard (drywall). Screws are to be installed into the wide face of the single 2x ledger, through the gypsum board and into the center of the narrow face of the 2x stud.

Torcuata Nappo

Teacher

How long should ledger bolts be?

Typically, you will need to install your bolts alternating high and low 2" from the top and bottom of the ledger board. As a rule of thumb, bolts can be spaced 16" on center for supporting joist span up to 12' in length. Longer joists will require tighter bolting patterns.

Mario Sacadura

Teacher

How do I attach rafters to ledger board?

Attach 2x6 rafters to the house with joist hangers and/or supported by the ledger board. If necessary, use a sliding bevel to determine angles needed where the rafters will meet the ledger board. Rafters are placed on 24" centers, and attached to the beams and settle joists are attached as needed (Image 1).

Nelsy Milnikel

Reviewer

How do you hang a ledger board by yourself?

Pre-drill a couple of holes in the ledger, then prop it against the house and transfer the holes to the house wall. Remove the ledger, drill the holes through, and insert threaded rod. Hang the ledger off the threaded rod and go to town with the rest of the mounting.

Mikel Bim-Bad

Reviewer

Do I need a permit for a deck not attached to House?

Building Codes offer one reason. According to the International Residential Code², adopted by most states, a deck does not need a building permit if it is “less than 200 square feet, under 30” off the ground, does not serve a required exit door, and is not attached to the dwelling“ — if it is freestanding.

Covadonga Tings

Supporter

How much weight can a 2x8 support?

some of it gets pretty technical in nature, and mostly relates to pounds / square foot of loading. 2x6s are generally used for ceiling joists, esp since you said 24" oc and reallllly short spans only (5 or 6 feet ). Most floor loads would be a minimum of 2x8 @ 16" oc and most preferbaly 2x10.

Zaman Nyuhalov

Supporter

How far can a triple 2x6 beam span?

A triple 2x6 beam over a span of 10' feet should be more than sufficient for normal deck loads.

Casta Kuphal

Supporter

How far can I span a double 2x8?

No, you cannot span 23 feet with conventional lumber, even doubled. It'll be as bouncy as a trampoline and won't meet code, and that's if you can find such lengths. You'll need at least a 12" (nominal) I-joist or an engineered floor truss to span that far, or you'll need an LVL or steel beam midway.