There are two approaches to designing a deck and selecting the right size components such as correctly sized deck posts.
Deck support posts size.
You will notice that the support post is also embedded deeply into the concrete and extends no closer than say 4 from the bottom of the.
The species of lumber size of lumber and the load it carries.
Post spacing is going to depend on your design local building codes the size and length of your beams and the size of your posts.
We will teach you how to determine the code compliant size of your footings based on the soil type and tributary loads.
Fewer posts on upper level decks are typically more desirable to the occupants and this drives the use of larger framing materials for longer spans.
Given that most decks are less than 12 feet tall or so 6x6 posts can support the loads from nearly any typical deck framed with standard dimensional lumber as the maximum spans of the joists and beams limit the area and the load any single post must support.
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.
The only real question is when a 4x4 will not be strong enough.
Deck beams and joists go hand in hand as the framing materials for your deck.
You can design your deck using one of the many free.
Typical post size is a pressure treated 4 4.
Once you decide the distance measure from the house for the first row of boards.
Install bracing cut from the same 2 x material you used for the joists 2 x 8 for this deck between joists in the middle of the frame to support parting boards.
A good size for a common backyard deck is a 10 or 12 diameter for the sonotube and a 20 base diameter.
The span of a beam is dependent on a few variables.
So build your deck the right way from the ground and posts up.
Check out our deck footing frost map to help you understand how deep your footings will need to be excavated.
2x6 joists should only be used on ground level decks that do not require and will not provide for any guards.
Learn everything you need to know about installing concrete footings to support your deck.
While joists provide a horizontal support system for deck boards beams provide support for the joists.
Of course you can get a 24 base size and it will spread weight over an even greater surface area.
Deck post size is important.
That means that once you have the footings in place you need to install posts which will support the beams that in turn support the joists that support the decking and eventually you your family and friends.
Your beams will need to bear the load of not only your decking materials but additional components of the frame itself.