QA

Quick Answer: How To Install A Ledger Board

How many lag bolts do you put in a ledger board?

Since 2009, every edition of the IRC (including the anticipated 2021 edition) requires the deck ledger to be connected to the house floor band joist with ½” bolts or lag screws as shown in Table 507.9.

Should a ledger board be pressure-treated?

Installing the Ledger Board The lumber for the ledger and all framing members must be pressure-treated for exterior use. The ledger will establish the height of your deck. This is an absolutely critical connection and must be installed properly to ensure the strength and safety of the deck.

How do you attach a ledger to the side of the house?

Attach the ledger with 1/2-inch-diameter lag screws or bolts every 16 inches (or as specified by local building codes). Slip stainless-steel washers between the ledger and the siding to allow water to flow behind the ledger. If you can’t get behind the joist to cinch down nuts, use lag screws.

How much weight will a lag screw hold?

Pull-Out Factors If a lag screw with a 5/16-inch shaft is installed correctly, it can withstand pull-out, or withdrawal, of up to 212 pounds in close-grain hem, fir and redwood, and up to 266 pounds in larch Douglas fir, according to information from the American Wood Council.

Does a ledger board have to be one piece?

The ledger board doesn’t have to be one continuous board. It can be a series of broken sections if it is solidly attached. This will require extra bolts and installing a 2x nailer across the top of the vent to secure the decking along the house wall.

Can you use Tapcons for ledger board?

It probably did not equate to us getting many new products but there was a lot of good information regarding fasteners and joist hangers. Titen HD anchors (Tapcons on steroids as some call them) even in galvanized finish are not to be used in exterior application. Never to be used to attach Ledger Boards.

Should decking go under siding?

Keep in mind the bottom of the upper siding should be at least two inches above the flashing or the decking that’s near the house. Never put horizontal siding in direct contact with any horizontal material.

Can you put a ledger board over stucco?

Generally, ledger boards cannot be installed directly over traditional stucco, synthetic stucco or cultured-stone exterior cladding. Stucco is easy to cut through, but it can be somewhat fragile. Once the connection is made, make sure you flash the cladding above, below and to both sides of the opening.

Why do you stagger deck boards?

Staggering the deck boards decreases the number of screws or nails going into one joist, which can weaken or rot the joist more quickly. Staggering the joints strengthens the deck by spreading the seams across more joists instead of placing the stress on only one.

How much weight can a deck ledger board hold?

The ledger is 10′ long so every foot of ledger must be designed to carry at least 200 lbs of load.

How far should deck boards be from siding?

Either use two stainless steel screws through the face of the board at each joist or ExoDek QuickClips to fasten the boards to the deck frame. The first board you install should be about 1/8″ (3.5mm) away from the siding, to account for drainage, expansion and contraction.

How do I attach a ledger board to a house with vinyl siding?

Snap a chalk line, cut out the siding and tack up the ledger board. Then slip flashing behind the siding, covering the top edge of the ledger. Start by making an outline on the siding where you want to position the ledger board.

Do you need a pilot hole for a lag bolt?

Pilot or lead holes are typically used to ease the installation of large diameter lag bolts. Full points are not needed for large diameter lag bolts, because pilot holes should be drilled to ensure the heads do not break when torque is applied.

How much weight can you hang on a 2×4?

In general, a 2×4 can hold a horizontal load of around 20 to 40 pounds per linear foot if the weight is evenly distributed. If the weight is centered between the span, that number could drop to 20 pounds total or less for longer 2x4s. Other factors can increase the weight that a 2×4 can support as well.

Can a 2×6 be used as a ledger board?

2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Joist hangers are used to attach the ends of joists to the face of a beam or a ledger board.

How thick should ledger board be?

The decking is 1-inch thick, so the top of the ledger is 1 1/8 inch below the bottom of the sill.

How wide should ledger board be?

As a general rule, you should use the same size of board for the ledger as you plan to use for the joists. You can use a larger board, however, if it allows for a better connection to the house framing. Calculate the length as 3 inches less than the width of the deck framing.

How do you attach a hollow block to a ledger board?

When attaching a ledger to hollow masonry block, use adhesive anchors, such as the Epcon A7 from ITW Red Head (800/348-3231, www.itw-redhead.com) or the Hilti HIT HY 20 system (866/445-8827, www.us.hilti.com).

What are wedge anchors?

Wedge anchors are a unique type of concrete anchors, designed to anchor objects into concrete applications. Once installed, wedge anchors are not removable after the anchor has expanded. Wedge Anchors are also called by other names such as stud anchors, concrete stud anchors, concrete bolts and wedge bolts.