Adding On To Existing Deck?

nriddock

we currently have a 20w x 10d deck that sits @ 40" off the ground. it is currently attached to the house via toenailed nails and a 2x2 ledger board notched underneath.

we would like to add to this deck making the total dimensions 20w x 26d

the addition has been approved by our county building inspector, but my question is... can i / should I attach the "new" deck to the existing structure or should this be a free standing structure butted against the old one.

pertinent specs:

-8' spans
-16" OC
-6x6 posts buried 24" in concrete

any help is appreciated....thx

snapper21

There's no bolts attaching it to the house?
edit
notched 2x2?
edit

nriddock

looks smoething like this...

<----house

2x8 joist toenailed to 2x10 attached to the house
|----------------|
| |
|XX| |
|XX|___________|
/\
/\ 2x2 "lip" / ledger board goes up here...no joist hangers

this apparently met code requirements when the builder built the house...house is 1.5 years old

wait...i just re-read your question...yes there are carriage bolts attaching the 2x10 to the house.

snapper21

First off I myself would get some 90 hangers to help hold the existing to the house. May be well off the way it is, but if you were to have a party and too much weight swayed one way she may set sail into the backyard. Once witnessed a wedding party at a townhouse on the golf course decide to heckle a golfer and as they moved to the rail the whole deck released. While it was funny to me, they didn't seem to laugh.
Free standing "may" be the way to go. The only reason I'm saying that is by the looks of the attachment to the house, there may be question as to whether your footers are below the freeze line. If your existing deck moves in the winter it may take the additional with it.
That's just my opinion but check back as I'm sure some others will give their credible opinions on the matter.

nriddock

as in most things in my life, i tend to over-engineer things....that being said...as I add the joist hangers...

- is there any pro/con to galvanized vs stainless steel hangers.
- what are your feelings re: top mount hangers...are they needed..overkill?


thx

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

where are you from?

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

nriddock

Richmond VA.

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

I would go with the SS if the extra cost is not a problem, This new PT wood is eating everything it come in contact with.

If you do use SS make sure you use SS fasteners, mixing galvanized and SS makes the galvanized metal corrode faster.

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

nriddock

thx for the quick reply...i have one other ??? re: PSF

we are am building the above deck with a hot tub in the corner (furthest away from the house). i have designed the deck to be 90-100 LPSF Live load ...

my question is:

-if i am building to this spec (8' joist spans, 2x12' beams, 6x6 footers, etc.) do i need to worry about pounds per square foot, or should i just go with the live load spec.

i am not an engineer but ive done a ton of research and seen numbers mentioned 125-150 lpsf / re: decks and hot tubs.

is there a formula i can use to calculate lpsf based on square feet or load ratings, etc?

we live in a fairly mild area...ie: not much snow, but i jst want to mkae sure between the hot tub, and any potential snow we might get that i have built in the proper supports.

ArmstrongBldrs

wouldnt hurt to put an extra girder under the tub area and wouldnt go under 2x10 joist

RobertCDF

SS all the way for anything PT. For the best hanger prices check out http://www.mcfeelys.com It might be hard to find them. You might have to enter in ITEM NUMBER: JH-0210-D These are $4.29 ea when you buy 10 or more. The previous best price I had found was almost $12 ea. They may be cheaper on the east cost where they are used more often.

I personally would probably built the new deck freestanding from the existing. I would hate to have someone elses hacky craftmanship mess up a deck I built.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

BreyerConstruct

I spent some time talking with a local company that makes custom tubs, they require a single 6x6 post directly under the center oftheir hot tub, as the unit is designed to transfer the weight to the middle. That being said, it wouldn't hurt to check w/ the manufacture of the particulat HT you're looking at.

~Matt