Day: November 13, 2021

Building a deck is one of the most popular home improvement projects in the country. It’s also one of the most dangerous construction projects that homeowners can undertake on their own. Whether you’re doing it alone or with the help of constructors, it’s important to follow building code requirements to ensure your deck is safe and meets local regulations when it comes to building your deck. 

There are many different types of decks, but they all have one thing in common, they need proper support. The International Code Council (ICC) has created minimum standards for constructing decks based on their intended use and height above grade. Failure to meet these building codes could result in serious injuries or even death from falling off a poorly built deck. 

The ICC publishes various model building code documents, including those related to decks and other structures. These include IBC – International Building Code and IRC – International Residential Code. This article will take you through the key code requirements for residential decks, as well as some best practices that will help keep you safe while building your new addition.

Draw Up Your Plan

The first step in deck building is to clearly define your project scope. In the model building code document IRC, this is called Defined Permitted Uses. You will need to specify whether you are going to build a ground-level or elevated deck and if it will be used for a private residence, guest house, and storage structure. 

After drawing the plan, submit it to the local building department to obtain a building permit. After constructing your deck, make sure it’s inspected to ensure compliance with applicable codes. If you’re not working with a contractor familiar with the codes, it’s good to study some sections of IRC and the codes published by your local building department.

Footing Size and Depth

After laying the perimeter of your deck, set the footings that will support the posts and the deck. The code specifies the minimum width and thickness depending on the beam and joist span. Size your footings by consulting Table R507.8 of the code. 

Image credit: http://aconcordcarpenter.com/

If you’re installing square footings, they should be at least 21 inches wide and 9 inches thick, and your beam spacing should be less than 8 feet. For circular footings, follow the same size guidelines but use a formula in IRC Table R507.9 to figure out the footing depth.

Remember that your footing depth must be at least as deep as the thickness of your frost line, and also keep in mind that some codes require even deeper footings beyond your frost line if you live in an area with cold winters. The footing sizes will also depend on the soil’s load-bearing capacity, and the live load, the deck, must support.

Posts and Beams

Any wood you’re incorporating into your deck structure in ground contact must be pressure-treated lumber. If the beam is more than 1 thick, you may want to consider doubling up on 2×12 beams if they have a span of more than 10 feet. If you’re deck posts on concrete footings, ensure you secure them with positive hardware connections.

Image credit: https://www.qualitydecking.co.uk/

For all other post sizes and joist span, refer to IRC code R505 for limb size limitations and spacer requirements depending on how old the deck load requirements are. Beams resting on footings need to be cut in with a ¼” x 1½” slope away from the house. All beams must have multiple joist hangers with no less than one joist hanger per bearing point when using 2x lumber.

Ledger Boards

It’s okay to attach a deck to the side of your house or other structure, and when doing this, you’ll need the support of a ledger board. The ledger board must be greater than the width of the floor joists. Attach the board to the floor framing behind the siding using screws or bolts of adequate size.

Image credit: https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/

For installations where siding is not present, attach the ledger to the studs with at least one ½” lag screw into a top plate and bottom plate. Use joist hangers to attach the joists to the ledger boards and ensure you secure the two outer joists to the floor joist on the other side of the wall with joist hangers.

Deck Guardrail Height

The IRC requires diagonal bracing on all free-standing decks higher than 30 inches. The bracing must connect each post to the beam or joist that’s supported by the post. Make sure the bracing material is 2×4 lumber, and use 1/2 inch through the bolt at each connection point. 

The railings must be at least 36 inches high and include balusters that are no more than 4 inches apart. You must attach each guard post supporting the railing to the rim joist with two 1/2-inch through bolts.

Joists and Decking Boards Requirements

You must attach the decking boards with 3/8-inch carriage bolts, 1.5 inches long, with washers and nuts. Space the fasteners every 6 inches along the edges of the boards and at 12 inches on center for interior joists. When you use two different wood species that are not compatible, you must separate them with a larger space filled with wood structural panel sheathing. 

Image credit: https://plasticinehouse.com/

The deck joist must be at least 3 inches from the face of the ledger, and you cannot attach it to the side of a house that is less than 2 feet vertically from ground level unless you install blocking between the wall studs. Joist span length and spacing are functions of joist size.

Requirements for Deck Stairs

Stair, stair stringers, and stairs guards must meet the deck design and strength requirements for tread height and spacing requirements. The code lays out stair requirements for decks and other elevated surfaces. The maximum rise of a stair is 8.25 inches, while the minimum depth is 10 inches. 

Stringers are required to have at least 4-inch tread depth at 12 inches from the nose of the stringer, and they cannot be less than 11 1/4inches in depth measured 11 1/2inches from the nose of the stringer. The stair treads must sustain a weight of at least 300 pounds.

The stair must have a landing that is at least as wide as the stairs themselves, and it cannot be less than 36 inches deep, measuring from the back of the stair stringers. In addition, there must be a handrail with an outside clearance of between 4 and 7 1/2inches on both sides of the stair.

Deck Balusters and Benches

Deck benches are not accepted as guardrail alternatives by the code. On the decks tall enough to require guardrails, the mastic of the guardrails is reduced to a minimum height of 30 inches from the decking surface. On deck balusters, the balusters should be 4 inches apart or less. One classic rule of thumb is that a 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through the balusters.

There should be maximum spacing for balusters to prevent small kids from getting stuck and falling through.

Guardrails and Handrails

There must be a minimum 2-inch railing on decks more than 30 inches above grade, measured vertically to the deck surface from the deck’s outside edge. There is no requirement for guardrails in decks less than 30 inches above grade (except for stairs), but there must be a minimum 36-inch-high handrail.

A 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through the space between balusters or any other opening in the railing. When it comes to guardrail strength requirements, the International Building Code requires that guardrails must be able to sustain a 200-pound force at the mid-span between posts without excessive deflection. You can use mid span blocking for various purposes in your deck building including when building a floating deck

FAQs on Building Code Guidelines for Decks

re decks considered as structures?

Decks are structures that help extend living spaces by creating outdoor environments that can be enjoyed year-round. The local building code should define a deck as a structure if it isn’t built over a garage or other structure on the same property, has two stories in height, and has an area greater than 120 square feet.

What is the minimum required deck size?

The minimum required deck size is determined by how many people can use the deck safely at one time. The local building code requires decks to have a minimum of 800 square feet in size if more than eight people can be on it at any given time.

Final Thought on Building Code Guidelines for Decks

There you have it! Even if you’re sure you have a handle on code requirements, it’s important to check with your local building department before you start new deck construction. This is because many states and localities often change their requirements, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

The post Building Code Guidelines for Decks appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://chefbuano.com/?p=685

Godetia is a spring-blooming annual flower. It’s native to Western North America. It blooms throughout the summer and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. However, most people don’t know how to care for this beautiful flowering plant and end up killing their plants instead.

If you want your Godetia to thrive, you should take the time to learn about its growing conditions to give it what it needs. If you want to keep your yard free from these invasive plants, growing them yourself will help reduce their numbers.

Growing this flower isn’t hard, but there are a few things you’ll need to know before planting, so you don’t end up with dead flowers. Here’s how to grow the godetia plant successfully and without accidentally spreading seeds.

Origin of the Names

This genius plant was called Godetia about a 19th-century Swiss botanist Charles Henry Godet. Later, the name was changed to Clarkia in honor of William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. And finally, Godetia amoena, which means beautiful and pleasing. 

The Godetia plant is also named farewell to spring because it doesn’t like hot and humid summer weather. It’s a cool-season annual that puts on most of its growth in the spring. As soon as temperatures begin to rise at the start of the summer, godetia flowers come into their peak, leading to their nickname farewell to spring.

Godetia Care

Size and Growth

The Godetia plant grows to about 14 inches tall and 16 inches wide, with green leaves on top and gray underneath. These elegant plants produce green stems with thin leaves. As an annual plant, Godetial dies each year.

Flowering and Fragrance

Godetia plants produce a cluster of trumpet-shaped pink, red, or salmon flowers. The Godetia flower blooms in the late spring then flower throughout the summer. While the flowers don’t have a noticeable fragrance, they’re still very attractive to look at. Godetia plants can also make great cut flowers. All you need to do is to cut several stems once the flowers appear, then trim off the spent blooms to encourage new blooms to appear.

Soil

Godetias thrives on soil types ranging from sandy to loamy soils with medium acidic content. Adding organic matter before planting helps maintain this pH balance. These plants grow well on average to rich soil. Organic matter helps to keep the soil moist and not wet. You can make compost to get organic matter easily. Add mineral fertilizer when planting, then once a month after planting. 

This will ensure strong roots and a healthy plant. Also, mulch around them to help retain soil moisture and keep the plants healthy. You can also use any enhanced water that is available from large retailers for watering these plants.

Watering

Godetia plants have similar needs as other flowering annuals when it comes to watering. Provide enough water, so your plant doesn’t wilt but not too much water to where it’s sitting in puddles. Whether you grow it in a tub, pot, or container, this plant needs frequent watering. 

This means if you’ve seen your plant start wilting, then give it a bit of water, which should restore its health. If the wilting persists, then you may have given it too much water, or your soil is overly wet. On the other hand, if your plant isn’t wilting but looks dry, you can water it to restore its health.

Light and Temperature

Grow Godetia in full sun unless your garden is in a hot area with lots of humidity. It’s also suitable for outdoor growth in USDA hardiness zones two to eleven. It can tolerate both warm and full sun, but it’s not a particularly picky plant.

Grooming Godetia Plant

Do not prune your plant at the end of winter because this will affect flower production. Instead, it’s better to cut back around mid-summer and then again in early autumn should you feel the need to do so. Make sure you dead-head and remove withered flowers as this will encourage new blooms next year.

How to Propagate Godetia Amoena

As an annual, this plant dies at the end of every year, so you need to propagate it with seed each year. After purchasing your seeds, you can plant them any time of the year. Sow the seeds early spring indoors and cover lightly with fine garden or potting soil to encourage early bloom. 

Image credit: https://www.gardensonline.com.au/

You can directly seed it in your flower garden or start it in four to six weeks before the last frost date in your region. When sowing outdoors, sow the seeds after the last frost date. Flowers bloom early to mid-summer while taller varieties may require staking.

Use a propagating tray to help you spread the seeds over the light soil, then cover your seeds with plastic and poke holes for ventilation. Placing your tray in a bright spot such as a windowsill and balcony will help your seeds grow. Ideal plant spacing is 16 to 20 inches and godetia plants don’t like to be crowded.

How to Grow Godetia Plants from Seeds

Godetia is grown from seeds, and this propagation method is not difficult for flower growers. You can sow godetia seeds directly in the open ground where you want to grow your flowers. However, if you are a beginner, sow the seeds in seed trays or containers to make it easy for you to identify each type of seedling.

Image credit: https://www.thespruce.com/

If you want to sow your godetia seeds in the garden, do it in the middle or end of April. In areas with warmer climates, you can sow seeds even in autumn. Before planting, immerse your seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour to protect future sprouts from diseases.

Spring Planting of Godetia

At the end of May or early June, you can plant seedlings that have reached 2 to 2.8 inches in an open ground with the soil cold so as not to damage the roots of the seedlings. You should do this in cloudy weather, early in the morning before sunrise or in the evening after sunset.

utumn Planting of Godetia

Autumn Godetia should be planted only in warm climate areas. Flower growers prefer to sow seeds directly into the ground. However, plants grown from the seeds sown in late autumn are better adapted to the environment and resistant to pests and disease.

Species and Varieties of Godetia

Godetia Grandiflora

This is the most common species in commercial cultivation. The plant’s height reaches 20-30 cm, and the flowers are purple or pinkish. They grow well in half shade but are not among the shade-loving flowers. You must also remember to protect them from direct sun rays during hot summer days.

Godetia Amoena

This variety is two feet high and produces large flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm. Plant it in full sun, but protect its delicate buds from frost and strong wind.

Double Godetia

This is a rare variety that features double flowers in white or rose colors. The plant is tall – 1-1, 5 m. Seeds need cold weather to germinate and will only grow in bright sunlight.

FAQs on How to Grow and Care for Godetia Plant

Is the Godetia plant easy to grow?

Growing Godetia is easy and fun; plus, the plant will provide you with heaps of flowers in just a few months.

What’s the best way to grow Godetia?

You can grow godetia flowers in containers, window boxes, or flower beds. If you want it to survive during winter, plant it in rich soil with organic matter and place it in full sun during summertime.

Final Thought on How to Grow and Care for Godetia Plant

As you can see, growing and caring for the Godetia plant is not that hard and is very rewarding. If you love flowers, then you should consider growing this plant. You will enjoy the color and beauty of the godetia flower in your garden.

 

The post How To Grow and Care for Godetia Plant appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://chefbuano.com/?p=681