Deck extension advice.

Background:
I have a 6yr old new construction home. They built a small deck (roughly 9x9 if you exclude the stair cut out) just to come out from the kitchen. The house has a garden view basement, because the house is built on a slope.

Objective:
I'd like to extend the width of this deck about 16 -17ft, and basically keep the old deck, minus the railing at the side I will be extending.

Questions:
Currently the deck is connected to the housecby a ledger board, and then the front uses slotted 6x6 posts to support the rim joist.

1) first question, what would be the best way to extend the rim joist into the new deck? Should I put another 6x6 as close as possible and have the extending rim joist cantilever a foot or so to the old deck? Or should I try and cut back the old rim joist to where I can seat the two together (new and old) together on the original 6x6 post and extending from there? Or can I just somehow attach the extending rim joist to the end of the original deck and just appropriatly space the next 6x6 post out to where it would be 6 - 8 ft out?

2) using 6x6 posts, how far should I space the supporting posts? I'm assuming there would be a post at the end corner of the extension and then another one in between that one and the old original 6x6 post.

3) when extending the ledger board, do I butt the extension up to the existing edge? I have vinyl siding, wondering if I should cut the one side of the jchannel, or leave current ledger as is, and space the new ledger board to where the next joist would be instead, and start there.

4) The deck boards run parallel to the house, i was thinking of using a vertical transition board instead of having a seem showing where the new boards meet. How is the deck's frame prepared to support this vertically laid transition board?

Thank you.


Attached is a picture of the current deck from when the house was first built, to get an idea of what I'm working with.

 

The first step is to draw up your plan and take it to your zoning and building inspection departments. The first will tell you IF you can build a deck of that size (you probably should). The second will be able to tell you what method of construction they want to see and will approve.

 

Okay thanks for the reply. I do plan on submitting a permit and plans next week. I'm just looking for some ideas on how to get started, or what people generally do in this situation.

The building department by me is pretty busy, with a lot of new construction homes popping up, so I am also hoping to avoid any long delays by having to resubmit things.