QA

Question: What Size Lag Screws For Ledger Board

Hex-head 1/2-inch hot-dipped galvanized bolts and 1/2-inch lag screws with standard cut washers (A) are the only two fastener options listed in the IRC for attaching deck ledgers.

How long should lag screws be for ledger board?

The most common method is to install ½” lag bolts with washers or carriage bolts with washers. You will usually need the length of the bolt to be at least 4”- 6″ to penetrate through the 2x ledger board, the house sheathing and into the solid house rim.

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.

What size lags for deck?

Using Lag Screws and Bolts for Building Decks What size lag screws will you need? It all depends on your unique circumstances, but typically ½-inch diameter lag screws will get the job done.

How do you install a 1/2 inch lag bolt?

To install a lag screw, first you have to align the materials you’re going to screw together. When they’re lined up, clamp them together so they stay in place. Then, using a bit with a slightly smaller diameter than your lag screw, drill a hole all the way through the materials where you want the screw to go.

How far apart should lag screws be?

Lag bolts are used to attach equipment or steel shapes to wood structures. The size and location of the anchors can be determined from construction drawings. The edge distance is 1½ times the bolt diameter. The spacing between bolts is 4 times the bolt diameter.

How thick should a 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.

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.

What is the difference between a lag bolt and a lag screw?

What is the difference between a lag bolt and a lag screw? In practice, there is no difference in the terms. They are used interchangeably to refer to the same fastener. Technically speaking, lags should be referred to as screws, not bolts.

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.

How much weight can a 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 do you attach a ledger to a deck?

Attaching a Ledger Board to Your House Remove Siding. Determine the outside dimensions of the framing for the deck and add ½” to 1″ to that length. Important. Set the Height of the Ledger Board. Block Joists from Inside the House. Install First Flashing Piece. Bolt Ledger in Place. Install Second Flashing. Attach Joist Hangers.

What size ThruLOK do I need?

SKU Selections ThruLOK SKU Selection Guide LENGTH WOOD DIM RANGE TYPICAL APPLICATIONS 6 1/4″ 4 1/2″ to 5 1/4″ 4×4 deck posts to 2x rim joists connections 7″ 5 1/4″ to 6″ 2x beams to a notched 6×6 post connections 8″ 6 1/4″ to 7″ 4×4 posts to double rim joist or single rim joist and 2x blocking.

How do I know what size lag bolt to get?

Measure the width of the combined pieces. Select a lag bolt that’s 1/4 inch shorter than the accumulated width of the two pieces. In most instances 5/16-inch-diameter lag bolts are sufficient. For larger or heavy-duty joints use a 3/8-inch-diameter or bigger lag bolt.

Do I need pilot holes for lag screws?

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.

Do you pre drill lag screws?

These wood screws boast coarse threading, but that threading does not encompass the length of the screw. Normal wood screws thread as they enter the wood, where lag screws require a hole to be drilled first. Lag screws also use a nut to add extra strength and security to help hold things together.

Are structural screws stronger than lag bolts?

Structural screws (also called “construction” screws) are stronger than lags and make longer-lasting connections. You can just zip them in with any 18-volt drill (no pilot hole required).

What are Ledger screws used for?

Ledger Screws are wood screws engineered to fasten a deck ledger board to the rim joist of a house with no pre-drilling. The built-in washer head eliminates the need for an additional washer, saving time and money. Ledger screws are code tested as deck ledger board fasteners that replaces lag screws and through-bolts.

What are lag screws?

A lag screw, known in the UK as a coach screw, is a sturdy screw often with an externally driven square or hex drive head. It features coarse threads and a tapered point. It’s typically much more heavy-duty than conventional wood screws that are fitted with slotted or Pozidriv heads.

Can I use 2×6 for deck ledger board?

Trex recommends 16″ OC at most, 12″ if running the boards diagonally. This is fine for 2×6 spacing. For the ledger, it’s worth replacing so it’s the same size. You might not be able to fully secure the larger hangers to the smaller ledger.