Instructions / Assembly

7
Building Decks
DOUBLE BEAM CONNECTON DETAILS
Post to 2x Beam Connection
boards
which
“sandwich”
the posts.
Place the
top of the
beam boards
flush with the
mark and nail
temporarily.
Drill two pilot holes through each side of post
and beam boards, then secure the entire
assembly with lag bolts.
Cut the posts with a hand
saw, using the beam as
a guide.
Once the beam is
installed, use a
framing square to
mark where the
interior joists will sit
on the top of the beam.
5 Install Your Joists
In This Step: you will complete the substructure of your
deck. Side, ribbon and interior joists will provide a nailing
surface for the decking.
Tools:
hammer, framing square, circular saw, tape
measure
Materials: joists, framing nails
Considerations: Length of side joist
= deck width - 1
1
/ 2 "
Length of ribbon joist = deck length
Length of interior joists = deck width - 3"
Crown Side Up: each joist will have a slight bow or
curve along its vertical length -— the “crown.” Always
install your joists crown side up, so that the weight of the
decking will straighten the board rather than bow it
further.
Side Joists
Nail into the edge of
the ledger board,
toenail into the top
of the beam, then
use an angle
bracket to secure
the connection
between the ledger and
the joist.
Ribbon Joist
Nail into the side
joists, then use a
framing square to
mark where the
interior joists
will be attached.
Note: At this point, with the dimensions of the deck
apparent, and before you install the interior joists,
you may wish to lay black plastic or weed
fabric on the ground below the deck, to
keep undergrowth from pushing
up through the decking.
Interior Joists
To make sure that the
interior joists are
straight and square, use
the following steps:
Joist spacing +
3/4"
Joist spacing
Mark both sides
Galvanized
angle
bracket
(both sides)
16d
galvanized
box nails
3 x 5
galvanized
nail plate
(both sides)
Joist spacing
Joist spacing
+ 3/4"
Mark both
sides
Ribbon joist
Side
joists
1
2
3
7