How Do You Calculate Spacing On Deck Joists?
The spacing between deck joists is commonly referred to as joist span in professional lingo. It doesn’t matter what you call it–it’s still a critical calculation when it comes to building your new deck. Though it may seem complicated to the first-time deck builder, the way to calculate the spacing on deck joists is based on common sense and a knowledge of your materials. Determine what kind of wood you will be using for your joists. Different woods expand and contract at different rates and will vary in softness, which will affect how much weight the wood can bear before beginning to sag. Softer woods like cedar will give more than Brazilian Ipê or ironwood, which are harder and less flexible. Determine the size of the lumber you will be using for the joists. Longer, thinner joists will need to be set closer together for optimal structural integrity, while shorter, wider joists can be set further apart. Measure the length of the floorboards you will be using. Most decks are built with
