Looking to add an extra level of intrigue and beauty to your backyard deck? Consider building a cantilever deck. A cantilever deck is a great way to expand your outdoor living space and take advantage of views that would be unavailable with a...

Adding a deck to a home or yard is a great way to create an outdoor living space. Whether you design and build the deck or hire a professional, deck joist spacing and joist sizing

There are three default footing spacing in Canada, 4’ (1.2m),6’ (1.8m) and 8’ (2.4m) provided by the Canadian Wood Council. A good start in figuring out a deck’s footings. The biggest controlling factor is the size of the beam. The larger and stronger the beam is the larger the footing space can be. Personally, I

The latest building codes require decks supported by a house to be built with a “positive attachment” to resist lateral loads

A deck is essentially an outdoor floor supported by a frame, posts, and footings secured in the ground; assembled in stages; and built from the ground up. The following terms define all of the important components of a typical deck.

Alternative to the ledger, this deck was built as a freestanding structure. A platform built next to, but not connected to, the house wall.

When it comes to building a deck, homeowners must decide between using pier blocks or concrete footings. Pier blocks are easy to install and ideal for smaller decks built at or near ground level, while concrete footings require more labour but provide greater strength and stability for your deck. Consequently, the choice of which one

Are you planning to build a deck and trying to determine the layout for the deck boards? Dimensional deck lumber is commonly available in 8, 12, 14, and 16-foot lengths. If the deck is longer

Deck building may look simple, but building a safe and durable deck requires smart material choices, and careful attention to structural details. Learn how.

I need to correct the main girder 4x4 supports for my deck. It is 4' off the ground. The 2x8 beam girders are carriage bolted to the 4x4 support posts.

There are many ways to build a strong, durable deck. One of the most cost-effective means to improve a decks' strength is through joist blocking. Joist blocking is required for many reasons in a deck. Joist blocking helps to lessen joist deflection, twisting while strengthening post rails and point loads. After installing thousands of blocks,

If you’re using deck blocks then an important first step when creating your list of materials is to work out exactly how many you need for your project. Before we delve into any specifics, let’s first cover the main factors that affect our calculations: What are the dimensions of your project? What size lumber are you using? What are your joist centres? Which direction are your cross joists? Is your project raised or is it a ground level deck? 1. The dimensions of your project This one is pretty self-explanatory, but some decks may have multiple corners or curved edges which affects the number of deck blocks required. 2. What size lumber are you using? The size of lumber will determine what your spans will be. The thicker your lumber, the further apart your span supports can be. It’s generally recommended that 2x6 or thicker be used for a sturdy deck. Check your local span tables to find out what is required by code. 3. What are your joist centres? The spacing of the joists will depend on the type and thickness of the deck board material you are using, as well as the design and load requirements of the deck. In general, joists for a deck should be spaced 16 inches on center for rectangular decks and 12 inches on center for diagonal decks. However, it is always best to consult the specific installation instructions for the decking material you are using to ensure that the joists are spaced correctly. In general, composite boards require closer joist centres (to remove ‘bounce’), whereas hardwood boards can be further apart. Additionally, local building codes may have specific requirements for the spacing of deck joists, so it is important to check with your local building department to ensure that your deck is built in compliance with all applicable codes. 4. Which direction are your cross joists? As you’ll see in examples below, the direction of your cross joists can have a significant impact on the number of deck blocks you’ll require. For example, with a 10ft x 20ft deck, the number of supports can vary from 32 to 54 depending on whether the joists are along the 20ft length or the 10 ft length. 5. Is your project raised or is it a ground level deck? If you’re building a raised deck with a layer of bearers beneath your joists then you’ll require fewer deck blocks. For a visual explanation of this, check out our 3D explainer video showing this in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT9bLQWw5vw&t=110s A ground level deck is often the preferred choice for floating decks because it removes the step up and allows you to walk straight onto it much like a patio or walkway. If you do build a raised deck, then it cuts the number of deck blocks needed by roughly 40-60%. Lastly let’s cover span tables in more detail. Span tables for lumber are tables that provide information on the maximum allowable span of lumber for a given size, species, and grade of lumber when used in various types of construction. Span tables are used by builders and contractors to determine the size and spacing of the lumber members required to support a given load. The tables take into account the strength and stiffness of the lumber, as well as other factors such as moisture content, type of load, and duration of the load. Span tables are typically provided by lumber manufacturers and can also be found in building codes and design guides. Span tables also gives us an indication of allowed overhang for our joists. An overhang isn’t required, but it’s useful to hide the TuffBlocks under the deck. A typical allowed overhang is ¼ to 1/3 of your span table for the lumber you’re using. It’s always best to check your local building codes to see what is allowed in your area. Now that we’ve covered off the main factors, let’s dive into some practical examples. Example 01: A 10ft x 20ft ground level deck using composite decking boards & 2x6 treated southern pine joists In this example our cross joists will be along the 20ft length. There are many different materials that can be used for decking boards, including wood, composite materials, and plastic. Wood decking boards are commonly made from lumber species such as cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine. Composite decking boards are made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic, and are a popular alternative to wood because they are more durable and require less maintenance. They do tend to have more flex than cedar or redwood, so the joist centres need to be closer together (14 inches in this case) to remove any ‘bounce’ from the deck and to make sure it’s firm under foot. Check with the supplier as they will be able to guide you on the appropriate joist centres for your specific deck boards. Therefore, we’ll require 8 cross joists at 14 inch centres. The allowable span for 2x6 southern pine is 9 feet. Although this is the ‘allowable’ span, in practice it’s much more common with a 2x6 to use a 5-6 foot span for a firm and durable deck without any bowing of the joists or sag over time. Therefore, we’ll require 4 TuffBlocks per 20ft joist, spaced 6 foot apart with a 1 foot overhang on the ends. 8 joists x 4 supports = 32 TuffBlocks Example 02 Now let’s change the direction of the cross joists, so they’re aligned with the 10ft length. The direction of your cross joists is determined by the direction of the deck boards (which will be the opposite direction). Typically you want to face the deck boards parallel to the direction you’ll be walking onto the deck in order to have the most grip under foot. But this is also mostly to taste. We require 18 cross joists at 14 inch centres. Each cross joist requires 3 deck blocks. 18 joists x 3 supports = 54 TuffBlocks Example 03 With 2x10 joists we could eliminate the middle supports, with only 2 TuffBlocks per cross joist: This would raise the deck by 4 inches, but it would reduce the number of TuffBlocks down to 36 (18 x 2). We’d definitely recommend a middle support in this instance for the longevity of your deck and to make sure it’s sturdy, but this is to illustrate that using thicker joists could impact the number of deck blocks you’d require. Example 04 Let’s look at another example here but instead of composite boards, let’s use a hardwood deck board. We’ll also replace the 2x6 joists with 2x10s. This deck has 7 cross joists at 16 inch centres. And with the 2x10 joists, we have 8 foot spans with a 2 foot overhang on either side. 7 joists x 3 supports = 21 TuffBlocks. Example 05 The final example demonstrates a raised deck (although hard to illustrate from a top down) that uses bearers beneath joists: The bearers use 4 supports per bearer and are spaced (slightly under) 5 foot apart. This allows the joists to be supported at 5 foot spans. The joists are spaced 16 inches apart, on which the decking boards will be placed. So for our calculations: 3 bearers x 4 supports = 12 TuffBlocks. By using a row of bearers beneath our joists, we reduce the number of TuffBlocks required from 32 down to 12. Conclusion: With these 5 examples, we can see how a number of factors can affect the number of deck blocks our floating deck requires: Deck 01: 32 TuffBlocks Deck 02: 54 TuffBlocks Deck 03: 36 TuffBlocks Deck 04: 21 TuffBlocks Deck 05: 12 TuffBlocks Please bear in mind that you will need to build in line with your local codes that govern span tables and joist centres for the lumber that you’re using. Additionally, some builders like to use more supports to ensure the strength, sturdyness and longevity of their deck. The more deck blocks used along the spans, the firmer the deck will feel. Likewise, the closer the joist centres, the firmer the deck boards will feel under foot.

What option do you have for deck foundations? There are some fast and easier ways to install footings rather than digging and pouring cement. Not every deck needs a concrete

Tips for forming deck piers, mixing concrete, and adding hardware for a grade-level deck.

Building a deck, shed, cabin or home isn’t just a matter of slapping a bunch of wood together and hoping for the best. Although we have all probably seen a few structures that give us

Learn how to install composite decking with our step-by-step guide. DIY-friendly instructions for laying and installing composite decking.

Deck footings are the most important part of a deck, for they support the entire deck. If a joist fails, its bad but can be repaired. A deck footing failing, and your entire deck will need to be rebuilt. Getting the deck footing right is essential to enjoying your deck for years to come. What

The latest building codes require decks supported by a house to be built with a “positive attachment” to resist lateral loads

Building a shed can sometimes seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to making the structure level and square. Thankfully there are products you can buy right now at your nearest home reno store that makes

Avoid headaches, save time and build a rock-solid deck.

There are lots of new decking products on the market, and deck-building methods continue to evolve and improve. Here are some of the best tips and products for a great looking deck that will last decades.

Want to avoid deck decay and enjoy your outdoor space for the rest of your days? If you use these deck building tricks during the initial build, you’ll find yourself with a sturdy backyard oasis for a long, long time.

Sunny Days are for Enjoying a Beautiful Deck, Drinks with Friends, BBQ - Not Working up a Sweat to Repair or Maintain it ! Build a Better Deck with EcoHome

Get one step closer to the deck of your dreams by learning how to install the beams.

Learn how to frame your deck and create a gorgeous, sturdy outdoor living space your family will love. From ledger boards to beams and joist spans, DecksDirect knows how important it is to get your deck framing done right the first time. Save time, money and frustration with the basics of deck framing.

When it comes to building a deck, homeowners must decide between using pier blocks or concrete footings. Pier blocks are easy to install and ideal for smaller decks built at or near ground level, while concrete footings require more labour but provide greater strength and stability for your deck. Consequently, the choice of which one

Whenever we would sit on our finished patio, all we could see was the eye-sore of our under deck. We didn’t like the look of traditional lattice but decided we…

Alternative to the ledger, this deck was built as a freestanding structure. A platform built next to, but not connected to, the house wall.

My deck is sagging and it's getting worse. I jacked up the deck to level and replaced the support posts. The sagging deck is now level!

Deck floor support comes from a variety of places, including the footings, the frame and beams, and the deck joists.

The number one reason why a deck will need to be rebuilt or repaired is joist rot. Preventing the joist from rotting will make a world of difference to how long you will get to enjoy your deck. The surest way to protect your deck joists from rotting is to reduce the moisture level of

Learn how to frame your deck and create a gorgeous, sturdy outdoor living space your family will love. From ledger boards to beams and joist spans, DecksDirect knows how important it is to get your deck framing done right the first time. Save time, money and frustration with the basics of deck framing.

7 minutes, 7-point inspection and 7 easy repairs.

Deck Framing - how to frame a deck, attaching to foundations, calculating joist spans, spacing of joists, etc.

Do you want to find out how to frame a deck? Use these easy tips to learn how to install your deck posts, deck beams, and deck joists

Earlier this summer we started what is probably our biggest project to date at our Bungalow. This composite deck project is part of a bigger backyard transformation and we are so excited to share it with you! In this post, we will go into detail on How to Install a Composite Deck. We dedicated another...Read More

Sharing my tips on how to handle deck repair and adding some deck improvements to create a small space deck oasis over the long weekend.

Learn about different ground level deck footing options. We discuss the pros and cons of each floating deck support and how much it will cost you.

Get inspiration for your deck project by browsing our fabulous Deck Pedestals and Deck Supports Image Gallery. Pavers and pedestals are in stock today at DecksDirect!

Stretch your deck or patio dining space by adding these built-in DIY high-top tables for outdoors directly to your deck posts. This handy type of built-in furniture is also highly customizable, as you can adapt the height to eat standing or seated on an outdoor stool or chair.

The number one reason why a deck will need to be rebuilt or repaired is joist rot. Preventing the joist from rotting will make a world of difference to how long you will get to enjoy your deck. The surest way to protect your deck joists from rotting is to reduce the moisture level of

The latest building codes require decks supported by a house to be built with a “positive attachment” to resist lateral loads