Alright, looking to put a deck on the back of the house. Here are some basic specs:
A) 14' x 14' total size
B) total height from grade: 13" ( not very high off ground )
Couple questions or minor concerns that im looking at.
1) Because of the low total height of the deck I'm wondering about the 4x4 post? My first thought is to use 8" tubular forms for the concrete footings and rest the post on top BUT being the post would only be roughly 9 or 10" tall would that be an issue?? In this case, is it better to just run the post straight into the ground through the concrete??
2) Also, Being I've never really used a string line and really never worked with lining up post, what kind of tolerance am I dealing with or can get away with? This deck will have 2 rows of post with 3 post in each row, when laying these post out, is it possible to be off say 1/4" or 1/2" off the mark and still work? If the beams are running parallel with the house, if one end of the beam is 1/4 to 1/2" farther out than the other side from the house, is that considered good enough? Now, I know the closer the better but is there any forgiveness at all? I guess whats really getting me is not only are there 2 rows of post but there are also 2 single posts in opposite areas of the deck as well. Position of these is concerning me.
I guess all Im trying to say is if Im off a little or out of square a little is it still gonna stand strong? And are 10" post too short to work with?
thanks to anyone who replies!
A) 14' x 14' total size
B) total height from grade: 13" ( not very high off ground )
Couple questions or minor concerns that im looking at.
1) Because of the low total height of the deck I'm wondering about the 4x4 post? My first thought is to use 8" tubular forms for the concrete footings and rest the post on top BUT being the post would only be roughly 9 or 10" tall would that be an issue?? In this case, is it better to just run the post straight into the ground through the concrete??
2) Also, Being I've never really used a string line and really never worked with lining up post, what kind of tolerance am I dealing with or can get away with? This deck will have 2 rows of post with 3 post in each row, when laying these post out, is it possible to be off say 1/4" or 1/2" off the mark and still work? If the beams are running parallel with the house, if one end of the beam is 1/4 to 1/2" farther out than the other side from the house, is that considered good enough? Now, I know the closer the better but is there any forgiveness at all? I guess whats really getting me is not only are there 2 rows of post but there are also 2 single posts in opposite areas of the deck as well. Position of these is concerning me.
I guess all Im trying to say is if Im off a little or out of square a little is it still gonna stand strong? And are 10" post too short to work with?
thanks to anyone who replies!