The joists may be cantilevered at each end beam or terminate flush with the end beams. Joists that cantilever allow for the use of longer joists than those that terminate at the outside face of the beam. If you'd rather fasten down your risers, you can first lay a concrete foundation and then fix them in place with ground anchors. Erecting and spacing beams to allow shorter spans means less expensive and more readily available timbers may be used. It is better to go shorter than to try and maximize span bridging for a more solid and secure platform. Joist size determines span and spacing, so select the grade and type of wood best suited for your needs and budget. Four very popular types of spindle are usually used the Square, Chamfered, Colonial and American and each of them can be installed using a universal hand/base rail shown here. The spindles are held in place simply by fixing the infill strips between each spindle in both the top and bottom rails. A pencil or piece of white chalk:You need a lumber pencil or piece of white chalk to mark your joint spacing on your ledger board before installation.

A bubble level:If you’re working alone, a bubble level will help you measure straight lines when installing joist hangers. Now, you need to use a pencil or white chalk to mark the face of the ledger board where your joists will be —exactly 16″ from center to center. If using a tape measure, be sure you securely place the tip of it against the outside of the ledger, so you get an accurate measurement.

Maximum cantilever length of joists using Grade SG8 (Wet) with a 2KPa floor load (for decks only) from table 7.2 from NZS 3604

Galvanized hanger nails:You need 1 1/2″ joist hanger nails. Joist hanger nails are hot-dipped and galvanized. Be sure you have enough nails on hand to fill each hole on every hanger.

Cedar has a natural wood preservative that protects from rot and insects. However, cedar will gray with age and requires cleaning and sealing or staining regularly. It provides a warm wood glow that many appreciate. It too comes in 2-by and 5/4 dimensions.Once each hanger is installed evenly and nailed into place, you can begin attaching your joist boards: Beam Configuration – Ledger to Beam, Free Standing (joists resting on beam), or Joist Hangers (joists attached to beam sides with hangers)

Tables and span calculators frequently provide joist dimensions, span, and spacing values based on a dead load of 10 pounds per square foot (PSF or psf) and a live-load of 40psf. The height off the ground, wind-load, snow-load, soil-load capacity, and potential seismic forces also factor into the span. For example, if you’re using southern yellow pine lumber for your joists, the allowable cantilever overhangwould be 3′ for 2-by-10 joists spaced 16″ apart and spanning 12′ total. A Joist Span calculator commonly identifies the maximum span and cantilever for dimensional lumber joists based on wood type, joist size, and spacing between joists. All you have to do is input the information, press calculate, and the maximum span is identified.

Some equations and algorithms will calculate the span and spacing for joists and numerous joist span tables for reference too. If you are dealing with bare earth make sure you flatten out the ground in advance or lay down a fine concrete screed to create a level surface.

Pressure-treated or wood preservative doesn’t affect the strength of wood, incising however does. Incising is the process of infusing preservative deeper into the wood through small 1/4” deep cuts on all surfaces. Incising weakens the wood slightly, so it often is rated for shorter distances. Now that all joists are attached to their hangers, they should be self-supporting with the help of your support beams. To close the frame, you will install one final rim joist along the open-ended edge of the joists: These are fixed to joists using 100mm landscape screws. If possible, fix the newels so that two faces can be secured through two joists at 90' to each other. 8. Fitting Steps The 2018 IRC is a good place to start as is your local Code which may adjust values or loads for regional conditions. Joist Spans for #2-Grade Dimensional Lumber Along the foundation wall (by the ledger), this needs to be continuous over 1.8m metres (NZS 7.1.4.2)Learn more about the UltraShield® advantage, or find a NewTechWood distributor near youto get started. There are so many variables and potential for error when calculating from scratch, that unless you’re a Structural Engineer tasked with the job, it’s better to use another method. My preference is to use span and spacing values readily available in Code tables or calculators. Use your chalk line reel to mark a straight line from each end joist — also called rim joists — tosee whether you need to further trim any joists to size. Remember, it is critical that the joists be the exact same length. If your joists require further trimming, use your circular saw, and remember to re-treat or tape the newly cut ends. Most span and spacing tables present values for common dimensional lumber sizes and species. They often have 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, and 2×12. Although 2x4s may be used for low-profile joists near ground-level they aren’t normally included in structural joist tables. They bow too easily to span much distance and won’t support heavy loads.