Unless you are planning on parking the pickup and the bass boat on the deck, 4x6s are probably enough for the posts. Of far more importance are the stringers, which must be sized for the span and weight they are designed to carry.
How much weight can a 4×6 post support?
2 Answers. Show activity on this post. Assuming it’s “Lodgepole Pine” (Idaho Pine and Ponderosa Pine is slightly less) and it’s grade is a No. 2 and better (no loose or missing knotholes), then a 4×6 spanning 18′ will support about 105 lbs.
Is a 4×6 post stronger than a 4×4?
4×4’s are quite strong and, other than aesthetics, may be enough for the job. The same goes for a 4×6, but the larger the post, the stronger it will be in compression, when comparing like species. The question is whether that bulk is needed.
Should you use 4×4 or 6×6 deck posts?
4×4 post will be fine. I have built many decks for new homes with them. 6×6 is more sturdy of course and will not twist as easy, but for structure purposes, 4×4 will be fine.
Can a 4×6 be used as deck beam?
Refer to the Deck Beam Span Table below to assist in determining the maximum span of a given beam between posts. Obviously, the larger the beam, the greater the distance it can span between posts. A Redwood 4×6 beam should span no more than 6′ between supporting posts.
How strong is a 4×6?
In general, the bending strength of a beam is directly proportional to its width and directly proportional to the square of its height. In the bottom case the 4×6 is theoretically 2² = 4 times as strong as a single 2×6, but since there are two of them it is only twice as strong as two2x6s.
Is a 4×6 stronger than 2 2×6?
With younger trees the 2 ea 2×6’s are much stronger than a 4×6. I work in a small lumber mill and would never use a 4×6 on a long span because the knots are all in the same location so there is less strength there also.
What is stronger 4×6 or 2×8?
Unless it comes a ways from the pith of the log it will be stronger if it comes from a “boxed heart” timber. A good 2×8 will support as much as a 4×6.
What size should deck posts be?
Deck Post Sizing
Deck posts are usually 4 feet x 4 inches, 6 feet x 6 inches or 8 feet x 8 inches as determined to be appropriate for the expected load. After determining the width, the maximum deck post height must also be determined. This also depends on the type of wood used.
How much weight will a 6×6 post support?
A 6×6 with 12′ span can support 2000 lbs. if you assume a conservative 1400psi bending stress. If you do a good job bonding the two members together, your double 6×6 can support more than 4,000 lbs.
How much load can a 4×4 post support?
An 8-foot 4×4 can typically carry 1,000lbs horizontally along its length without excessive sag, or 500lbs in a center load. Supported at 16” centers and the load jumps to 4,000lbs. When used as a post, the same 4×4 can support up to 6,000 PSI and even more if properly braced.
Can I use 4×4 posts for a deck?
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 only 3 feet off the ground. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you use 6x6s instead, even if your building department does not demand them.
How many footings do I need for a 12×16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
How far can a 4X8 span without support?
Dimensional Lumber Deck Beam Span Chart
| Joist Spans | ||
|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, Redwood, Cedars, Ponderosa Pine, Red Pine | 4X6 | 6′-2″ |
| 4X8 | 8′-2″ | |
| 4X10 | 9′-8″ | |
| 4X12 | 11′-2″ |
How far can you cantilever a 4X6?
The American Wood Council states that cantilevers are limited to 1/4 the span of the joists. Joist Spacing (o.c.) Maximum allowable overhang cannot exceed 1/4 of the actual main span.
How far can a 4X6 roof beam span?
In general, the maximum span for a 4-by-6 beam is 6 feet between 4-by-4 posts. If you move up to 4-by-8, you’re usually allowed to span up to 10 feet between posts.
Is 2×12 or 4×6 stronger?
For a partial answer, depth of a beam has more contribution to strength than the width. So, NO, the 4×6 is not as strong as the 2×12, all other things being equal.
Which is stronger 4×4 or 2×6?
The strength is determined by the load direction. A 2×6 is stronger lying horizontally with the load applied to the 2″ edge facing up. compared to any 4″ side of the 4×4.
Can I use a 4×6 as a header?
Yes, a 4×6 Douglas fir #2 is fine, even with the wider 4′ opening. Here, we use either 2-2x header or 1-2x header that is up-sized to the next larger size. The 2-2x header is more stable than a 4x.
How much weight can a pressure treated 4×6 hold vertically?
4×4 can hold up to 4,000 pounds when laying horizontally with the right support. Vertically, a 4×4 should support 4300 pounds but can hold significantly more. The amount of weight that a 4×4 can hold depends on several factors like wood grade, species, and load type.
Is a 4×4 post stronger than 2 2x4s?
When used vertically, 4x4s are stronger than two 2x4s. However, if you need a horizontal surface, two 2x4s will be stronger than one 4×4. A 4×4 should not be used horizontally for anything structural. Always be sure that you’re using the proper size and strength of lumber.
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