Contact Us
We Will Assist You

In the past, many decks were built with 4×4 support posts (also called structural posts). But these can bow seriously, even if a deck is

The footings of your deck are exactly what they sound like – the feet of the deck. They’re the concrete foundations that support your deck. In order for posts to properly resist varying degrees of weight, posts must rest on and be anchored to concrete footings. It’s important to note that patios and pre-cast concrete piers do not qualify as proper footings for deck construction. To anchor posts to concrete footings, you need to use a post base connector. Whether you’re using natural, decay-resistant or preservative-treated wood, it’s recommended that posts be elevated off the concrete by 1 inch to help prevent decay at the end of the post due to moisture.

Using a notched post and beam connection will lock the beam in place, secure it from rotating and resist wind uplift.  Notching a post does not weaken the structural integrity of the wood support post because the load for the deck is transferred down through the post to the footings.  The upright notched section of the post acts stabilizes the beam.  Most deck builders use a reciprocating saw to cut an L shaped seat in the top of the post large enough to hold the beam. Another building method to consider if you don’t have a reciprocating saw involves using circular saw to score the top of the post to remove the weakened sections with a chisel.  A 2-2×10 beam will require a notch 3” wide by 9-1/4 inches tall.  To hold the beam in place you will then need to predrill and run two ½” threaded carriage bolts through the beam and the top of the notch.