AZ ranch

[dstig1]

Always slope away from the house. 3/4" in 10' seems fine. The real problem is if something settles in a flat deck and you are now pitched back towards the house. That can be really bad... So sloping away gives you some cushion on that.

 

[BoFuller]

Joists will be running perpendicular to the house and flooring (probably 2x6 PT) will run parallel to the house.
So I guess with a small crack between the boards, a slope is not necessary?

 

[EddieWalker]

Hey, before secure this 4x10 to the uprights, do you all put any slope in your decks? I was thinking about 3/4 of an inch at 10 feet. I hear some people say more and some say none.

I try not to have any slope on a wood deck, but sometimes I have to because of the concrete that's in place that I'm building next to. It's something that jumps out at me as being wrong, but when I put the lumber next to the concrete and make it level, that looks worse.

For your porch, I would make it as level as possible.

 

[BoFuller]

I try not to have any slope on a wood deck, but sometimes I have to because of the concrete that's in place that I'm building next to. It's something that jumps out at me as being wrong, but when I put the lumber next to the concrete and make it level, that looks worse.

For your porch, I would make it as level as possible.

Thanks, Eddie.

 

[EddieWalker]

Joists will be running perpendicular to the house and flooring (probably 2x6 PT) will run parallel to the house.
So I guess with a small crack between the boards, a slope is not necessary?

The space between the boards is very important to allow air flow around them. Moisture will get under a wood deck, and because that area is shaded, the moisture will remain a long time unless there is good air flow. The more air, the better.

 

[3Ts]

If you have spaces between the boards, then your deck can be level as in Eddie's description. However, if you have the boards tight against each other then you need slope away from the house. Also, if the boards are tight against each other and have rounded edges, they will catch water unless they are run perpendicular to the house (in the direction of the slope).

 

[BoFuller]

I have 6 joists in now and they are perfectly level. I plan to leave a space between the boards, so it should be fine.

 

[BoFuller]

One more joist to go.

 

[EddieWalker]

What are you going to use for decking?

 

[BoFuller]

2x6 PT wood is most likely going to be what I use.

 

[EddieWalker]

Good choice. Just as long as it's not 5/4 inch wood. That's the worse stuff out there!!!!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I never had a problem with 5/4.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've never seen anything shrink like 5/4 wood. Install it as tight as you can and in a year, the gaps between boards can be from half an inch to a full inch. If you don't use it in a day or two after buying it, the warping will amaze you!!!!

 

[GLyford]

I have never had 5/4 shrink that much, usually just 1/4" or so. I wonder if the difference is due more to differences in local weather or to the nature of PT available in different markets?

I have had unused boards turn into bananas, and others that remain straight.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Heres my deck with 5/4. Almost 20 yrs old, never sealed. Largest crack less than 1/2".

Never getting around to sealing it is my biggest problem, and the grill dripping grease on it.

If i replace, i might use 2x6. It has square corners, while 5/4 is rounded.

 

[EddieWalker]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My comment is on modern day treated lumber that has the new formula and treatment methods that force a huge amount of moisture into the boards compared to the previous method. This massive amount of moisture remains in the boards for months and causes all of the issues that we have to deal with in modern day pressure treated wood. 5/4 lumber is probably the most affected by this, but 4x4 posts are also junk for anything taller then a hand rail, and even those short lengths can twist on you a month after you install them. What you might have been happy with ten years ago is not the same thing that is sold at the stores today.

 

[BoFuller]

I might use 5/4 on a wall for siding, but personally, i would never use it for a floor. Too thin for me. To each his own.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My house flooring is 3/4" with 16" oc joists, so 5/4" on 16" oc joists is way better.

But, to each his own. I only responded because i feel 5/4" gets a bum rap. Maybe justified with the newer stuff, i dont know.

When i redeck mine, ill probably use 2x6.

Awesome cabin you have, i followed your build from the beginning.

 

[BoFuller]

My house flooring is 3/4 plywood on 16” OC joists and then 2x6 on top of the plywood.
But then I tend to overbuild everything.

How’s the weather back there in Ohio? I haven’t been back there for a couple years.

 

[BoFuller]

Awesome cabin you have, i followed your build from the beginning.

Thanks!!