Free Standing Deck Sway Bracing

You may install a metal t brace which is a long metal strip diagonally across the top of the joists or install a diagonal deck board across the bottom of the deck frame.

Free standing deck sway bracing. Nails especially your 16d common nail have shear strength meaning they re far less likely. 2x12 beams running parallel to the back of the house. Freestanding decks greater than 2 feet above grade must be able to resist lateral and horizontal movement by providing diagonal bracing. 2 cantilever front and back.

Materials for one diagonal brace cost about 72 since two are needed total cost is 144. How to brace a swaying deck all decks using horizontal decking should have a diagonal sway brace to prevent racking. Elevated decks and decks that extend over a hillside often become unstable over time. How to stabilize a deck.

This added feature creates such a stronger and safer deck that it is important to follow the codes and best practices. Although bracing nailed under the deck is less visible than vertical bracing nailed to the posts it s not as effective. As a northern utah home inspector i find that the biggest difference between decks built 15 years ago and decks built today is the need for additional bracing. Bracing underneath your deck involves a method called angle bracing and it can be done using a few 2x4s and some 16d galvanized nails.

I m building a 14 x14 freestanding deck. Because there isn t a house to anchor one end of the deck uplift and racking forces are greater issues that must be addressed in the structural design. Eliminating freestanding deck sway ok so this might be my first time posting pictures of my work but i ve got to do it to figure something out. Vertical x bracing made from steel rods and a turnbuckle or steel cable would be less visible than lumber bracing in this case.

Decks bracing sizing. Not only that it allows the deck to be installed 6 or 7 inches below the elevation of the house floor a common detail in wet or snowy climates. While diagonal bracing from your deck s columns to beams is a sure way to promote structural integrity and prevent movement you can also install bracing underneath a deck to stop the sway. Decks using diagonal decking do not require sway bracing.

High winds and ground movement can shift the deck and loosen connections where. X bracing applied vertically will solve both pivoting at the base and bending of the columns.