Joist Centers Using 3/4" Cedar

orange Garrison

minimum code is minimum code,engineers spec is also code and 3/4 is not decking!

orange Garrison

ya but those 24hr drive throu's are a killer!!!

DecksEtc

Honestly, I have no idea what height the deck is that the OP asked about - I assumed it was a porch as he said it was on three sides of the house.

In the above post, you refer to a 2nd floor walk out deck but your original post never mentioned the height of the deck. I've built plenty of 2nd story decks with 2x8's at 16" o.c. - and all of them have had permits and never been questioned by any of the building departments to which they've been submitted. They've all had 6"x6" posts BTW - there's no need to be sarcastic.

You stated that the building codes "up here" were that the joists had to be 12" o.c. I stated that every permit I've submitted with 16" o.c. 2"x8"s has been approved. Would you mind sharing where in the building code where it says that decks with 2x8's have to be 12" o.c.?


Back to the original thread, would I deck with 3/4" material? No. But, in the circumstances that the original poster is faced with, I would double up the joists and install the 3/4" cedar.

Old Sawdust

you guys are all a "hoot".

Really enjoy your feed back. AND deeply appreciate your willingness to give the "best" of your knowledge and experience. It is evident that each of you are genuinely interested in your craft and sharing useful and beneficial responses. Thank you!

Thanks Mac for you kind and generous "welcome"; "ol man" is ok, for "Old Sawdust" is my moniker, it is OK, perhaps rotarex was making a "play" on my handle. I will choose to take his response as "good natured" jesting at the new "old guy" on the block.



Rotarex, Apology accepted my only intent in the original post was to encourage a careful consideration of "words spoken"; they are one of the few things we cannot get back, for once they leave our lips, irrecoverably are they thrust into another's environment, either to tear down or encourage. GRACE would demand the latter.


There aren't any of us, us, us, us, us, us, << (me raising my hands) who've not suffered with "hoof and mouth" disease!


Just trying to share a little of the wisdom gleaned from the few years I've been blessed to be 6' above.


For the sake of clarity the deck is 3/4 cedar - painted - has been on this home for approx 25 years and shows some wear, but not catastrophic! Probably not used heavily.

I was amazed when making this discovery; in all my years of doing repairs, and deck building I've only seen 3/4" material used as a deck surface in one other application and was able to substitute 5/4 PT cypress. I suppose if you are in this, or any other trade yo willl eventually see things that you would NEVER do yourself.

Given the option, Grapa would probably be my choice, however, it is the clients money and I like to eat, so will follow her request.!!!!! :-)

Yes, I would agree that when wet and on 16" centers cedar is a surface I would prefer not to stand or walk on, not to dissimilar from walking on 1/2" roof decking, Feels a little "spongy". However, this deck does not have that type feel. Perhaps the material is a GOOD grade of cedar and closer to "heart" wood as opposed to "sap" wood? Cannot attest to this supposition one way or the other, yet.



Again, will probably install additional 2 x joist and just go back with 3/4" cedar - painted to the customer's spec's.




Glad snow is not a part of my equation am ALWAYS thankful when summer is the environment I get to work in.
I prefer "sweat" to an overcoat ANY DAY

no snow load.!!!!! Thankfully,

Thanks to each of you, your responses have been most helpful, informative, and enjoyable, thank you for allowing me passage into your thinking and experiences.

REALLY enjoyed our exchanges and look forward to coming back, to learn and grow, perhaps I will post some pictures of the results. ???

May each of you be blessed in you work this day.

Respectfully

"ol man sawdust"

aka Reeder

PA woodbutcher

A testiment to what a few extra years will teach us.

I have some Chestnut boards from a barn was built on my family's original homestead back in about 1870ish. While the boards are certainlly old, eventually I will find something that I want to buld with them and make some new sawdust.

Welcome "New" Sawdust.

__________________
'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

orange Garrison

The last deck project I did (july) in the beaches of T.O. was a very similar project .I had the pleasure of dealing with a wonderfull Lady inspector and she opened my eyes to something I had not thought of previously.apparently when you change the thickness of the "decking"below 5/4 it changes the oc code, she made me have a structural eng.go over drawings and make the appropriate changes to our original drawings . I was not supprised however when the oc was spec to be 12. Minimum code is a standard not rule!as i found out!
Happy building!!

redwood

For cost reason's, we made a shift from 5/4 ipe to 3/4 ipe. Joists are on 16" centers and the decking is as solid as a rock. Permits have never been a problem.

On a related note. Many years ago I came into a bunch of clear 3/4" redwood for pennies. I used what I could for trim and needed a deck for my kids play structure. I framed on 12" centers. 16 years later, that deck still stands, and the top is solid.

__________________
Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

RobertCDF

I think if you know how to calculate loads properly you can use whatever material you want. 4x4 posts (as I saw posted here a bit ago) are fine if you know how to do your load calcs. 4x4's can hold roughly 4,400 lbs so you can use them for a deck if your loads calc right.

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

builderr

Another option to allow 5/4 decking...
Is it possible to raise the existing door/ threshold
the half inch that
you are trying to gain?

I have always dropped decks 7 inches down from framing
to avoid snow build up in threshold, and prevent
ice wicking from deck to threshold....Am I way off in my ideas?

David

MartyCD

Sawdust,
CorrectDeck CX is just over 7/8 thick, if there's room for that. That being said though, are you trying to save a frame that ought just to be replaced? Or, missing the opportunity to sell a couple new patio sliders, which might have rotted sills, leaky seals, etc?
Builderr - on the 7" stepdown for decks - I built one deck like this (with the usual caveat, when I talk about actually building something, I don't know much) and the stepdown right outside the slider is a little odd. You don't get a visual cue that it is coming and sometimes people stumble. But I can see the pluses of it in snow country.
Marty

Old Sawdust

Thanks to each of you for you input and participation, it has been most helpful and enlightening. Not to mention that most of you are a "hoot" and quite enjoyable to interact with. Sometimes I'll read the different thread just to enjoy your banter and the great insights given.

Now I thought perhaps I'd stir the pot and ask EVERYBODY how they thought I should price this job. After all ...................

Just got word today that she is going to wait for the economy to improve before she lays out the money.

At any rate she says she still wants us to do the work.

Sorry for all the expended energy, but it was fun and I feel like there was a good exchange by some "hard working gentlemen carpenters".

I hope each of you continue to grow in learning better how to apply your knowledge and wisdom.


BTW Really enjoyed the information on baluster spacing. In Ga it is called the 4" spherical rule and as has been stated before no space between balusters greater than 4", however that rule doesn't apply to the area immediately below the step treads, usually doesn't matter because in most of my stairs I close the riser / tread with a dress band on either of the outside stringers.

Thanks again to each of you who took the time to try and help.

Respectfully,

old sawdust

aka Reeder

John Hyatt

The old wait for it to improve line, that all I have been geting lately. I am almost as sick of that as the green topics. J.

Old Sawdust

Thanks John for your reply,

It behooves me to allow that she is being honest for in doing so I am able to exchange emails and explain that I understand her dilemma, which of course I do, as any of us would. Thus I am offered additional opportunity to explain that we also do other repairs, such as ....... you can fill in the blank with whatever extras you are willing to do, affording additional possibilities that she might use us sooner rather than later. Then again maybe not, regardless I have responded with kindness and grace. Thus the potential client is left with a positive impression / perception in her mind and we have greater opportunity in the future.

Not to mention the possibility they she will tell her friends about our positive response to her situation.

I do understand the frustration in needing to work and wanting to work and seemingly not having any come your (my) way.

However, it is privileged I am to rest my trust in my Savior's capacity to fulfill His promise that He will provide my NEEDS; believing that I am being provided what HE knows is best for my continual maturing.

It has been said that "Maturity rarely happens save at the bench of adversity". I would agree conclusively!

Thanks again for all your valuable insights and experienced assistance.

It is a good feeling indeed to know there is such a place where those of us who choose to make our livelihood with our hands in the trades can come and find like minded folk.


Mr. PA Woodbutcher, which I'm quite certain you aren't

Your gentle analogy about the "new sawdust" did not go unnoticed.

It is a noble man who can offer genuine, authentic kindness to another.


One cannot give something he himself does not possess.

much appreciation for your thoughtful offering.

your new "old carpenter friend" ===>> to all of you

old sawdust
aka Reeder