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An Alternative to Floor Joist Hangers
The Deck Ledger Board and Floor Joists Must
Be Properly Installed to Ensure a Strong and Weather tight Deck
By Mark J.
Donovan
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When building a deck, where the underside of the deck
will be highly visible, it may be aesthetically more attractive to use a
ledger strip verses joist hangers when installing the floor joists.
For example, if the deck sits high off the ground, such as
is the case when it resides over a walkout finished basement, a ledger strip
will provide a cleaner look to the underside of the deck.
A ledger strip is simply a strip of lumber nailed along
the bottom of the ledger board that attaches to the side of the house and to
the deck front band/header. The ledger strip is typically about 1.5” to 2”
in height and 1.5” in width. |
The deck floor joists rest on the ledger strips and are
attached by toe nailing the floor joists into the ledger board and front
band/header. The result, a very structurally strong solution and a much
cleaner look to the underside of the deck.
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The ledger board itself plays a major role in the deck
construction. It connects the home to the deck. Consequently it must be
fastened solidly to the home. Typically the ledger board consists of a 2x8
or 2x10 pressure treated piece of lumber that is fastened to the house
sheathing and through the front band/header. Lag bolts or carriage bolts
should be used to attach the ledger board. Also, the ledger board needs to
be attached directly to the house sheathing and not the surface of the house
siding. Thus the house siding must be removed where the ledger board will
attach. The house siding can then be reinstalled around the ledger board and
deck area after the deck construction is complete.
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Its also important to keep in mind that the area behind
and around the ledger board must be weather tight. Thus use an ice and water
shield on the house sheathing prior to attaching the ledger board. Also,
make sure to use deck flashing that attaches to the house sheathing and goes
over the top edge of the ledger board. Make sure when fastening the decking
boards to not nail into the flashing resting on the ledger board, or else
you'll defeat the flashing's purpose.
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For more help on building a new Deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
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Deck Installation Bid Sheet
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deck project is completed on time and budget.
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