GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

16′ clear span for deck beam

Joe Norm| Posted inGeneral Questionson

I’m looking for ideas to get a 16′ span between posts for a deck support beam. 8′ joist length from the ledger on the house with a 2′ cantilever.

I have a septic tank in-between that I don’t think I can put a footing over the top of.

All the span charts are pointing to either a glulam, LVL, or steel. I am leaning away from steel to avoid the cost and hassle of introducing a new material. So the glulam or LVL would have to be treated for exterior use.

Has anyone addressed a similar span recently? What solution did you come up with?

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Malcolm Taylor||#1

    Joe,

    I think I remember you saying you didn't have permitting where you are? If I've got that wrong, you should confirm you can do this. Our bylaws don't allow decks over septic tanks, no matter what the clearance above.

  2. Joe Norm||#2

    Good idea. I will look into this. Thanks

  3. Joe Norm||#3

    This will be a second story deck and not hinder access to the tank at all so the question still stands about what type of beam to look at for a long span. Pacific Woodtech LVL is looking promising.

  4. Keith Gustafson||#4

    PT triple 2x12 maybe with glue and screw PT plywood in between. Need to do the engineering, but hard to believe it exceeds that. Other option is similar beam from house to post and joists spanning the 16 foot

  5. Graham Love||#5

    looks like 3 count of 2x12 pwt lvl could span 16' depending on your snow load.

    File format
    1. Joe Norm||#6

      Yes, but I believe that is a dimension of 3 and not a count.

      1. Graham Love||#7

        2 count will work with a combined load 0f 50psf - L/360

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |