How to construct a 22ft deck beam from two 2x6?

Hello, new to the forum but seems like a great place to exchange ideas, read quite a few posts.

I planning to build a deck and been doing some pre-planning but keep running into a problem in my planning. The deck I want to build is 22ftx16, my joist are running the 16ft length, my beam I want to run the 22ft way. I am planning on using 2x6 due to my limitation being so close to the ground about 1inch clearance closest to the house. Planning on doing posts on the constructed 4x6 (two 2x6) every 4-5ft, I will be using the concrete pads and 4x4 posts on top of those near the end of the deck and the grade of the yard drops a little.

My question is as I can not get a 22ft 2x6, how would I joint my 2x6 to make my 22ft 4x6? Do I construct 10ft and a 14ft and meet them on a post? or Do I stagger two 14ft and two 8ft to make one long 22ft 4x6 (stack 14ft+8ft on one side and then put it together with a 8ft+14ft for other side) basically overlap the 14ft and 8ft?

Thank You Very much
Haris

 

Hi Haris, I'm not sure where you are putting this beam, what you are using for joists, floating deck or attached to the house, or frost if any.

Pictures of where this will be going would help and a drawing of how it will go together.

Bud

 

Thanks fort the replay. The deck will be attached to the house on one of the 22ft sides.






Here is some pictures,or diagrams of the deck. (used the Lowe's deck designer) Thanks

 

Hi again, I'll assume no or minimal frost where you are. You didn't mention your joist size, but 2x6 over 8' will be bouncy, make sure you are ok with local codes.

The overlap idea from one side of the post to the other is good, but you will have to work on the spacing as 14 an 8 one direction does not match 8 and 14 the other. Keep the post spacing at a minimum, there are load charts on the internet. Use bolts and not just screws. The typical deck screws will snap over time.

Your top boards will need to be spliced, so plan on the joist location to get the seam on a joist. 22' is an odd dimension so you will have some waste. You could run your beams 16' out from the house, with your joists running the 22 feet dimension. Then use all 16' deck boards. Play with both options to see which you like and which has less waste. Don't hesitate to draw it out in detail before you start, especially if you will have a crew of helpers over for a weekend.

GL
Bud

 

Thanks Bus, I do appreciate your replies. Sorry to I missed the frost question, I live in Atlanta, Georgia area. The drawing suggest two beams running the long way but I am going to add a third beam running the 22ft way.

So it's going to be:

Wall <-- 5'6"ft span -->Beam<--5'6"ft span -->Beam<-- 4ft span -->End Beam

And about 6 posts to support each beam, at about 4 ft span.

Do you think having the beam to beam span be around 5ft too long? The beams will be like I said 4x6 (made out of 2x6), I wasn't planning on using just one 14ft and one 8ft for the whole beam. I would use two 14ft and two 8ft to construct one beam.

Here is a diagram that might clear it up.

 

You will want your 8' and 14 foot 2x6's to end and start on the center of a post. If your posts are spaced 4' on center with one foot overhang on each end, then you will need a 9' and a 13' 2x6 to get your 22'.

What are you using for floor boards, 1x6's? Check the available lengths, not everything is available in 2' increments.

Bud

 

castro145,

Using a pair of 2X6 10's and a pair of 2X6 14's for each beam will work. Stagger the joints, as shown in your last diagram, and make sure that the joints occur on top of a post.

Use Simpson BCS2-2/4's on top of each post to connect the beam to the posts.

 

thanks for the replies.

Bud,
I will be using 5/4x6 top boards, I settled on 10 and 14 footers, I wanted to stagger the where they meet, I didn't want them meeting all on a single joist.

Lefty,
I was just at my local Lowe's and I was unable to find those ties for top of my post. I found some that are for a 4x4 and then on the top they are for 4x4 as well, the opening being 3 1/2, about 1/2 too wide for my two 2x6 beam. I guess I'll see if I can find them in some other store. But it is exactly what I need. I was going to use a LUS26-2Z if nothing else, double hangar, drill some holes on the base of it attach it to the top of the 4x4 and then put my bean in it. But since the product does exist for the 2x on top of the 4x4, I'll search some other hardware stores.

Thanks