Skipping a joist – OC spacing Scenario: A large deck with expensive hardwood or composite boards with 12″ on center and it is time to install Deckmaster®. Can I just put the brackets on every other joist, which saves time and money?
Skipping a joist will save money today, but will cost more later. When the deck boards expand and contract, the boards will bow up above the unfastened joist. Applying pressure (walking on the deck) would place intolerable stress on the adjoining fasteners for which they are not designed. All building codes require 2 fasteners per deck board per joist. Screws – Adding additional screws When I build a project at my house, I tend to over-achieve and do a little extra, especially when it is labor related or at a nominal cost. Adding a 3rd screw to a 4″ or 6″ board at the butt ends or at splices is good insurance. Plugging the ledger board and end joist every 12″ instead of 16 or 24″ is the same. It takes time, very little money and makes sense. The bracket to joist screws are already spaced about 2″ apart, and there would be no practical point to install a screw in every available hole, 22 in all.
Related Questions
- Skipping a joist – OC spacing Scenario: A large deck with expensive hardwood or composite boards with 12" on center and it is time to install Deckmaster®. Can I just put the brackets on every other joist, which saves time and money?
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