How to Frame a Deck and Hang Joist Hangers

After you have added beams to your deck, you can begin to frame the deck. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Level
• Circular Saw
• Hammer (Pneumatic nail gun will be better to use)
• Pressure treated wood for joists.
• Nails for outdoor use.
• Angle brackets
• Joists hangers

1. 

   Nail the angle brackets to the left and right side on the ledger. Look at your plans and measure the length of the outer joists and cut the outer joists to length.

2. 

   Add the outer joists. Make sure they are touching the sheathing of the house and not the top of the ledger. The outer joists should be on top of the beams as show. Check if the angle is square. Ensure that the joists are level. Nail the angle bracket side touching the joist.

3. 

   Now add the header joist. Note how it is butting on the ends of the outer joist. Check for squareness at the angles and nail angle brackets at the inside corner of the outer and header joists.

4. 

   Review your plans to determine the spacing of the joists. Typical distances are 12, 16, and 24 inches. Measure where you will put the hangers from the edge of the outer joist and continue to the other end. Nail the joist hangers into the ledger.

5. 

   Make the cuts of the joists to fit between the ledger and header joists. Mark the spacing on the header joists to match the joist spacing on the ledger.

6. Lay the joists on the beams and add the joists. One by one, attach them to the joists hangers on both sides with nails. Again, check for to see if each joists are level and square.

7. Once you have completed, you are ready to add decking.

[tucsondad]

on 8/17/2009 Useful stuff - if only I were more ambitious and had some disposable income. 5*