Types of Deck Footings
There are quite a few kinds of deck footings that can be used, relying on elements such as soil conditions, nearby constructing codes, and private preferences. Here are some frequent types:
- Concrete Footings: Concrete footings are a broadly used and long lasting choice for deck construction. They contain digging holes in the ground, putting forms, and pouring concrete to create a strong basis for the deck posts or piers.
- Sonotube Footings: Sonotube footings, additionally recognised as concrete structure tubes, are cylindrical cardboard tubes that are hooked up in the floor and stuffed with concrete. They supply a within your means and easy-to-install option, specially for smaller decks or when working with difficult soil conditions.
- Helical Piers: Helical piers consist of metal shafts with helical plates or blades that are screwed into the floor the usage of hydraulic machinery. They are typically used when dealing with unstable or difficult soil conditions, as they can supply high-quality aid and stability.
- Concrete Piers: Concrete piers are precast or poured concrete helps that are set up in the ground. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, such as square, round, or rectangular, and are positioned immediately underneath the deck posts to supply steady support.
- Deck Blocks: Deck blocks, additionally acknowledged as publish blocks or precast deck piers, are precast concrete blocks with built-in slots or recesses for helping deck posts. They are a speedy and effortless alternative for small decks or when the deck is now not very excessive off the ground.
- Screw Piles: Screw piles, additionally referred to as helical piles or screw anchors, are metal piles with helical blades that are twisted into the ground. They are in many instances used in areas with sandy or gentle soil and grant sturdy assist for the deck.
Determining the Number of Deck Footings
To decide the wide variety of deck footings required for your project, you may want to think about the dimensions of your deck, the spacing of the footings, and the load-bearing capability of the chosen footing type. Here's a widely wide-spread manner for calculating the range of deck footings:
- Determine the Deck Load: Calculate the whole load your deck will want to support, such as the weight of the decking material, furnishings, and people. This records is necessary in finding out the required wide variety and spacing of the footings.
- Check Local Building Codes: Consult your neighborhood constructing codes to decide the particular necessities for footing spacing and load-bearing capacity. These guidelines vary, and it is quintessential to comply with them for a protected and structurally sound deck.
- Determine Footing Spacing: Divide the whole size of the deck with the aid of the advocated footing spacing. For example, if the advocated spacing is 6 feet, divide the whole size by way of 6 to decide the approximate range of footings wanted alongside that aspect of the deck.
- Consider Beam Placement: If your deck has assist beams, you will need extra footings at the factors the place the beams join to the posts. Determine the variety of beams and calculate the required footings accordingly.
- Adjust for Corners and Angles: If your deck has corners or angles, you may additionally want extra footings to help the posts in these areas. Consider the unique layout and graph of your deck to account for any extra footings required.
Basic Deck Design Considerations
In its most simple form, a deck is a more-or-less rectangular platform connected to the residence or standing freely someplace in the yard, however few decks are this simple. Some have a couple of degrees or even greater than one story, some have curved contours or a round design, and some are built with heavy-duty structural factors to aid a warm bathtub or outside kitchen. Decking can be constructed round present features, such as rock gardens or swimming pools, and they can join to patios, walkways and different decks.
Soil Bearing Requirements for Deck Footings
The measurement of deck footings is decided by using soil bearing capacity. Firmer soil requiring each smaller and fewer footings. This is vital in a deck designed, however sooner or later the spacing of the footing is decided through beam strength, now not soil bearing. If the beam is sturdy ample however the soil is no longer as a universal rule, the decking footing dimension will be increased.
Many jurisdictions have prescribed footings measurement and depth accounting for popular soil bearing in the area. In Calgary, the place I construct decks its 10”(250mm) diameter for all decks. Only requiring soil bearing calculation when involving engineering. If that the case the engineer will take care of the footing spacing additionally as it will have an effect on their calculations.
How to Layout a Deck and Footing Positions?
Before you dig your first footing, you will want to graph your deck in the right function and dimensions to make certain that every footing is positioned in the proper position. This is completed with the aid of transferring the structure and dimensions of your scale deck graph to the building region in full size.
Start from one nook and set up a straight line alongside one of the longest edges via using an 18 to 24 inch tall wood stake into the floor at every nook of that line. If one facet is towards the house, or every other structure, begin with that and measure out to set up the backyard edge.
From this line, measure and power in a stake at every nook of the deck to set up the outline. Tie mason’s twine, or different string between your stakes to create the define of the deck.
