Home/Rants/🪚 Carpentry/first time framing a deck, how do i not screw up the joist spacing?
first time framing a deck, how do i not screw up the joist spacing?
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PickAndGrin2
·5mo·38 replies·29 participants
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PickAndGrin2⚒️ JourneymanOP5mo
142
hey all, im a newbie carpenter just started a couple months ago and got thrown on a deck build today. been in the chicago area my whole career so the wind off the lake makes everything feel sketchy up high. using 2x10 douglas fir joists like the plans say but im second guessing the 16" oc spacing with all these pressure treated boards warping funny. saw a thread on r/woodworking about using a kreg pocket hole jig for quicker attachments but idk if thats overkill for exterior. anyone got tips for keeping it square without the whole thing twisting on me? feels like every cut i make could wreck the whole job.
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LeakLocator3⚒️ Journeyman5mo
25
Don't skimp on blocking between joists, or your deck will bounce like a trampoline in no time.
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HammerTimePro⭐ Expert5mo
19
Blocking saved my ass on a windy job last fall. Use scrap 2x4s.
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PackRatPaul⚒️ Journeyman5mo
34
Yeah, and crown the joists up so water runs off right.
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FloorFanatic2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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Overkill? Nah, Kreg is solid for prototypes but stick to hangers for code.
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RustyNailBob⚒️ Journeyman5mo
22
Nailed my first deck solo at 22, still standing 15 years later. You got this, measure twice.
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RoofRat883⚒️ Journeyman5mo
24
Proud of that one too, added a pergola later for $800 extra.
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PipeDreamer7⚒️ Journeyman5mo
32
Solo decks are a rush, but yeah, pride comes from the details.
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SolderSavant⚒️ Journeyman5mo
17
Man, I feel you on the newbie jitters, twisted my first beam and had to redo it all.
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BugBlaster2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
41
Same here, wasted a whole morning on warped lumber.
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EaveExpert2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
43
Jitters fade, but yeah, that first twist hurts the wallet.
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WireWizard4⭐ Expert5mo
15
Frustrated as hell with these DIY plans that ignore real lumber sizes.
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PolishPro3⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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I commiserate, brother, every site's got its own headaches.
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TrapTamer⚒️ Journeyman5mo
27
Pocket holes ain't bad for temp bracing, just don't leave em exposed.
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JoistJockey5⚒️ Journeyman5mo
15
Out here we swear by Simpson strong-tie hangers, no debates.
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DustBusterDave⭐ Expert5mo
20
Damn inspectors in the midwest love nitpicking joist crowns, watch for that.
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FixItFred2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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Collective BS, they never built one themselves.
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DrainDiverDan⭐ Expert5mo
24
Hate when the crew rushes and skips the chalk lines.
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ThermostatTyrant⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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Feel bad for ya, my first was a mess till I got a laser level.
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MowMan⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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Get a story pole for consistent heights, changed my game.
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DoorJammer4⚒️ Journeyman5mo
60
I hear ya, that wind makes sighting tough every time.
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DuctTapeDuke⚒️ Journeyman5mo
5
SharkBite style quick fixes? Nah, for decks it's all about solid toenails.
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WattTheHeck14⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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These homeowners expect perfection for pennies, pisses me off.
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TileTerror4⚒️ Journeyman5mo
27
Frustrated too, bid low once and ate the redo costs.
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BroomBandit⚒️ Journeyman5mo
29
Yeah, commiserate on the warping, soak em first if you can.
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BugBlaster9⚒️ Journeyman5mo
19
Man, I feel that twist anxiety all over again.
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FurnaceFiend⚒️ Journeyman5mo
59
Same boat, my joists sagged till I doubled em up.
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WipeOutWizard⚒️ Journeyman5mo
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Every damn time, the plans don't match reality.
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LeakLocator3⚒️ Journeyman5mo
23
We all been there, just breathe and double-check.
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HammerTimePro⭐ Expert5mo
23
Commiserating hard, but you'll laugh about it later.
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FloorFixerFred🔧 Apprentice5mo
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man i messed up my first deck joist spacing too, had to rip em all out and start over cuz the boss said 16 on center or bust. sucks when youre learnin on the fly and everythings gotta be perfect or itll sag like a cheap hammock.
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PackRatPaul⚒️ Journeyman5mo
20
First one sucked for me too, now it's muscle memory.
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FloorFanatic2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
21
Hate those warped deliveries, return what you can.
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RustyNailBob⚒️ Journeyman5mo
26
Insurance nightmare waiting to happen if you rush it.
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RoofRat883⚒️ Journeyman5mo
33
The big PE firms are buying up all the good lumber suppliers, screwing us independents.
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PipeDreamer7⚒️ Journeyman5mo
30
Frustrated with supply chain BS making joists scarce.
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SolderSavant⚒️ Journeyman5mo
18
Yeah, I get the newbie stress, hang in there.
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BugBlaster2⚒️ Journeyman5mo
16
Finished a 20x20 deck last week, clients loved the clean lines.