Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s.
Stringer on floor joist framing.
Last summer i helped a carpenter buddy tear out a rotten deck.
A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals.
But my friend wasn t.
They run parallel to one of the house s exterior walls.
Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists.
Joists must be level and in plane for a flat surface.
The smaller the spacing the longer your joists can span.
The stinger joists are nailed on end into the header joist with the header covering the butt of the joists.
Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home.
For conventional guardrail post installation bolted to the side of the framing larger framing will provide more strength in the rails.
For upper level decks 2x10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections.
Deck joists rotting from the top edge down because the deck boards and debris keep them damp for weeks after rain.
Use a water management system such as a drip cap or flashing wherever framing meets the home to move moisture away from the home and deck.
The joists at the edges are the header and stringer joists.
True floor joist span calculations can only be made by a structural engineer or contractor.
Your composite decking manufacturer will have a unique joist span table to help you determine the maximum length based on joist size and spacing.
He sees it all the time.
Look for high low uneven joists using a tight string line.
Joist span and spacing is set by your local building code.
The distance you choose affects the maximum span or how long your joists can be without compromising the strength of the deck frame.
2x6 joists should only be used on ground level decks that do not require and will not provide for any guards.
This sample table gives minimum floor joist sizes for joists spaced at 16 inches and 24 inches on center o c for 2 grade lumber with 10 pounds per square foot of dead load and 40 pounds of live load which is typical of normal residential construction.
Remove any screws or fasteners that may be protruding from the surface of the joist.
When building a house or even a deck it is important to confirm you have the correct joist sizes spans and spacing before you get started.