Deck Ledger At Mid Wall

tjameso

Hey got an issue....

Need to build a deck several feet below threshold of second story. Obviously no rim joist. Can i block the
studs and thru bolt? any and all suggestions welcome!

Tom M

Lag into the studs. No need for blocking. Just make sure your centered and secure. Use 3/8"-1/2" lags. If this deck has a too large a tributary load you may need to bring other footings closer to the house.

concretemasonry

Most codes will not allow lags into studs. Some will not allow any lags, but want through bolts. Because your ledger would be pressure treated, you will have to use corrosion resistant bolts.

Have you considered a free-standing deck to eliminate all the moisture and detail problems such as the rcommended double flashing and sealing.

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mickeyco

Well said, without an engineer's drawing I don't know of any jurisdiction that would allow attaching a deck to what I'm assuming are load bearing studs. The problem is that it's very hard to achieve the load rating to support the deck, meet edge distance and spacing requirements for lag screws. Also there is a 20% reduction (NDS) in the lag screw rating for going into the side grain of lumber. Additionally the largest lag you can use in a 2x4 without exceeding notching/boring limitations is 3/8", and they have to be perfectly centered, you cannot use ½" lags on the narrow side of a load bearing 2x4 in the side grain.

Best idea as recommended by concretemasonry, is a free standing deck, with an attachment to the house to meet code and avoid cross bracing.


Here is an alternative to lag screws that might actually work for a ledger to load bearing stud wall situation, they are called LedgerLok, and they do have an ESR report. I've been wanting to try them but haven't yet.

From their website:
Below is a drawing by an insurance companies engineer for a similar application (might give you some ideas), we actually went with posts and footings.

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BreyerConstruct

Mickey,

We just switched over to the LedgerLok's about a month ago. Try them! They'll send you a few free ones to get started if you're on the fence.

They're quicker than predrilling & lagging, however we used an impact on our 1/2" lags, so that was never an issue. What sold me was the price- they're cheaper than lags. Oh, and stronger too. We proved that by putting a ledger on a house w/ 1/2 lags, then went & installed the LL's, which pulled the 2x closer to the house!

Just food for thought...


~Matt

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tjameso

Thanks All- No way for free standing. I am in berkeley on top of a fault. Looks like arhitect or
engineer>

Oregon_Rob

Local building dept ok with them? we have used them for the non permit stuff, just haven't tried to sell them to the inspecters yet.

BreyerConstruct

FM Sent me over the paperwork showing the code compliance for 2006 IBC IRRC.

So far we only have one Twp giving us grief, I sent them the paperwork & they haven't returned my request for answer. I'll probably fight that battle next week.
If I have to use 1/2 lags I will, but I hate being inefficient & dropping the quality to the customer just for a poorly informed inspector!

~Matt

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RobertCDF

If you go the route of attaching a ledger to the studs I recomend using a 2x12 ledger. Even if you dont need one that large it will get your ledgerloks further apart and have less chance of splitting the stud. I would also recomend the ledger loks over 3/8 lags.

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Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

tjameso

They are 2x6 walls and i do not want to lag to studs.
I think i will block the studs with 4x12 flush to the outside of stud. sds some angles from stud to block and then thru bolt ledger to the blocks. What do ya think?
Thanks

mickeyco

I'm sure I'll use them at some point, when I needed them and first found them, I think it was about 2 year back, they didn't have an ESR report that rated them for outdoor use and in contact with CCA or ACQ lumber. I prefer freestanding or through bolts, I hate lag screw (If you don't pre-drill lags you actually lose a significant amount of the load rating), but the LedgerLoks seem like a decent product.

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mickeyco

If you're opening the wall enough to put blocking in you might consider cutting in a ledger if it's a 2x6 stud wall. Out here what you are talking about would require an engineers stamp, the problem is you're not usually allowed to attach a ledger to a stud wall without an engineered or architectural drawing. In therory the LedgerLok should be fine and I agree with RobertCDF you'll have less of a chance of splitting the studs with them, as long as the AHJ goes along with it. You can even use the LedgerLok's is conjunction with nails to get a higher rating, you just can't use nails, subject to withdrawl, alone. You can use a 2x12 ledger like RobertCDF suggested but the rest of the frame will also have to 2x12.



Here's the ESR report for the LedgerLoks to show to inspectors:
http://www.fastenmaster.com/Files/Fa...R/ESR-1078.pdf

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Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.