Decks

The deck’s size, its height off the ground, the joist span, and your town for frost depth.

• Attach your Sheet so people see your sizes and the math.
• Your town is enough. Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
• Is it safe? A safety question here goes to pros verified in general contracting or carpentry, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

16′ × 12′ deck: 3 footings, 13 joists (2×8 at 16″ o.c.), a 2-2×10 beam and 28 deck boards, every hanger and screw counted.

What people get wrong:

• No flashing over the ledger. Water gets behind the ledger and rots the house’s band joist — the most common reason decks pull off houses.
• Ledger on brick, stone or a cantilevered floor. A ledger must bolt to the house’s band joist.
• Footings too shallow. Above the frost line they heave every winter; within 5 ft of the house they must reach the house footing’s depth.

The worked example, every line's math and the code notes · Your own sizes in the app

• Fences: Wood, vinyl and metal fences and gates
• Concrete slabs and footings: Pouring slabs, footings and pads
• Patios and pavers: Paver patios, walkways and the base under them
• Retaining and garden walls: Block, stone and timber walls that hold back soil
• Sheds: Building sheds and small outbuildings
• Raised beds and gardens: Raised beds, planters and garden builds
• Yard drainage and grading: Standing water, grading and drains around the house
• Landscaping: Lawns, beds, edging and planting
• Pergolas and patio covers: Pergolas, awnings and covered porches
• Driveways and walkways: Asphalt, concrete and gravel driveways
• Brick, block and stone: Brick walls, pointing, veneer and stone
• Pools and hot tubs: Pads, decks, fences and wiring for pools and spas
• Outdoor lighting: Low-voltage, path and security lights
• Every group

• Open to read from anywhere, no account needed.
• Sign in with your email to ask, answer and vote. No password.
• The best answers rise: votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to support@studsheet.com.