Novice Deck Builder and Joist Span Question

Can I use 2 x 6 joists for a deck with 7 ft. spans between beams?

Home  >  Framing And Decking Forum  >  Novice Deck Builder And Joist Span Question

Comments for Novice Deck Builder and Joist Span Question

Average Rating starstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 07, 2013
Rating
starstarstar 		This should be fine
by: Gord

According to this joist span table at 16" o.c. you can span a 2x8 12'-5".

I can not imagine that you could not safely get by spanning 2x6s at 16" o.c. spacing over 7'.

That would be a very surprising difference. If you look at the drop in span distances when you go from using a 2x10 to a 2x8 its like 3 or 4'. But if you really need and exact answer you will have to look up a different joist span table.
May 14, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2 X 6 joists
by: Mike in NC

The real answer depends on your local building code. The practical answer can probably be best answered with another question.

Why would you want to use 2 X 6 joists for any span? I highly recommend using 2 X 8 joists for most applications, and 2 X 10's if the span is greater than 10 feet. That assumes 16" on center joists. If you use 12" OC, you may get by with longer spans, but I still would never use less than a 2 X 8.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Framing and Decking Forum.

© 2004-2019 Decksgo.com. All Rights Reserved.