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How to calculate posts and bearers for a deck?

felipenm
Growing in Experience

How to calculate posts and bearers for a deck?

Hey there!

 

I am thinking about building a DIY deck and I put together this decking design. I am now working on the decking frame plan. I know that for the posts it is better to use H4 treated and the bearers and joists can use H3 treated. As for the joists' spacing, I know that I should be spacing them no more than 450mm. Now, I've done some research and I can't get my head around those span tables to decide how many posts I need and the spacing between bearers. Does anyone out there would be able to help me with that?

 

Your help is much appreciated.

 

Thanks

FelipeDecking Measurement.jpgScreenshot 2024-10-05 at 1.33.11 AM.pngScreenshot 2024-10-05 at 1.34.44 AM.png

 

 

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MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

That attachment method would be fine, @felipenm. Just ensure you bolt or screw through the timber to secure it.

 

Mitchell

 

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felipenm
Growing in Experience

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

Thanks. Do you recommend any bolt or screw for this type of work?

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

Galvanised bolts would be the way to go, @felipenm. Just select some that are long enough to pass through the timbers.

 

Mitchell

 

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felipenm
Growing in Experience

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

Awesome, thank you!

felipenm
Growing in Experience

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

@MitchellMc It is me again 😁! I was wondering whether I could use stirrups but lay the bearers straight on the stirrups instead of having posts on the stirrups, and then bearers on posts. Would that be an acceptable way of building the subframe?

 

The idea would be to have a 90mm stirrup, and then two 45mm beares attached together laid straight on the stirrup to occupy the 90mm stirrup space.

 

Regards

Felipe

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MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Deck - How to calculate posts / bearers?

Yes, that's fine, @felipenm.

 

Mitchell

 

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