Do deck joists need joist hangers?

Joist hangers are almost always required when building a deck—here's how to install them correctly. With each passing year, there seems to be more and more metal hardware required in home building. And even if it's not required, it's often best practice to make your connections with metal.

Do I need joist hangers for deck?

Joist hangers are not the most visible part of a deck, but they are one of its most important components. If they aren't sized correctly and installed properly with the right nails or screws, the deck won't have the necessary load support, uplift capacity, and lateral rotation resistance.

Where do you need joist hangers on a deck?

Joist hangers can be used anywhere you need to strengthen a load bearing connection. Joist hangers use face mount attachments to fasten joists to ledger boards and beams. You can buy joist hangers for different sized lumber.

Do floor joists require joist hangers?

Floor joists are the large boards that support the floor in a wood-framed house. These joists are typically made from two-by-10 lumber spaced 16 inches apart; as per building codes, they must be connected to the wall ledger with a floor joist hanger.

When should I use a joist hanger?

Joist hangers are typically used to attach and hold your lumber floor joists in place against your structure's beams. Deck beams are sturdy structural pieces that span the length of your deck along your house, or parallel to your house.

How To Build A Deck - Floor Joists And Joist Hangers

What is the most common mistake made when installing joist hangers?

Never nail straight into the end grain, which would result in splitting the wood. Nailing into the end grain would eventually lessen the nail's holding power, even if the wood didn't split, even if you can't see the split.

Is it OK to use screws on joist hangers?

This is a big no-no. Joist hangers (and hurricane clips) are intended to be attached with nails or, in some cases, a specialty screw. Deck screws - like this - are not acceptable. These hangers are actually engineered elements, and as such, must be attached according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Is it OK to screw into floor joists?

The hole cannot be larger than one-third the depth of the joist, so the maximum hole size for a 2×12 joist (actual size 1-1/2 x 11-1/4 in.) is 3-3/4 in. diameter—plenty big enough for running cable! You can drill the holes anywhere along the length of the joist (first photo).

Can floor joists be screwed?

Sure thing. It's become very common over the last 5 years or so to use screws instead of nails for construction carpentry.

Is it better to nail or screw floor joists?

Screws are often chosen for subfloor installations because their joining strength helps to prevent squeaky floors. Nails are more flexible and will give a little more with hardwood flooring, so they're often the choice for panel installation.

How far can a deck overhang without support?

Cantilever: The cantilever is the overhang of the deck beyond the supporting beam. The 1/3 rule is among the common theories applied in the industry but it is not a building code. According to this rule, for every foot of joist length from the house to the beam, there can only be 1/3 of that amount overhang the beam.

Are mini joist hangers OK for decking?

Mini Joist Hangers can be used for the installation of decking framework joists that will keep your decking flooring strong and supported as your timber dries, twists, shrinks and ages over time.

What can I use as a substitute for a joist hanger?

First, toe-nailing is cheaper and nearly as strong as using a joist hanger. Building codes also allow the use of toe-nailing, provided the correct size of the nail is used.

Can you build a deck with just screws?

For a deck build it's best to use a combination of nails and screws. In fact, if you look at many project specs and building regulations for decks you'll find that for some parts nails are called for while in other areas of the build nails or screws can be used. Screws are superior for laying down the decking.

How long can a deck joist be without support?

According to the International Residential Code 2018 (IRC), the maximum length a 2x6 can span as a floor joist is 12'-6”, as a ceiling joist is 20'-8”, as a rafter is 18'-0”, as a deck board is 24', and as a deck joist is 9'-11”.

Is bracing required for deck?

BRACING YOUR DECK FOR LATERAL SUPPORT

For attached decks over 4-feet above the ground, bracing for lateral support is required. Freestanding decks greater than 30-inches high require bracing. Several methods of bracing are acceptable.

Can I board straight onto joists?

Can I Board directly onto joists? The simple answer is no. The most common joist heights in use in modern properties are between 75mm and 100mm.

What screws to use for deck joists?

A good all-around choice is #10 decking screws—generally in 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-inch lengths. Decking screws are sharp, tapered, self-sinking, and coated for corrosion resistance. With a cordless drill/driver, you can drive them about as fast as nails.

Where should you not drill holes in joists?

You can put holes in floor joists anywhere along the length of the joist, but you can't put them any closer than 2″ from the top or bottom edge of a joist. The maximum size of a hole is 1/3 the depth of the floor joist.

What are the rules for joist drilling?

Holes bored in joists shall not be within 2 inches (51 mm) of the top or bottom of the joist, and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third the depth of the joist. Notches in the top or bottom of joists shall not exceed one-sixth the depth and shall not be located in the middle third of the span.

How far should a screw go into a joist?

The general rule of thumb is that the screw should enter at least half the thickness of the bottom material, e.g. 3/4″ into a 2 x 4. The other factor is the screw's diameter, or gauge.

Do all joists need hangers?

You typically need to hang a joist if the top of it needs to be in the same plane as the beam that supports it. There are all sorts of reasons and conditions on jobs where this is necessary. I happen to have in my garage an example of how carpenters did it 150 years ago. Back then there were no fancy metal hangers.

Do you need a nail in every hole of joist hanger?

Standard joist hanger connection

Nails placed in all holes guarantee full load capacity. Unless specified otherwise by the designer, always use full nailing.