If necessary, create spacers by attaching pieces of decking to the top side of the frame that goes against the house. Brick or masonry veneer has traditionally posed a problem to homeowners and contractors seeking to attach a deck to a home without removing large portions of the veneer or siding. If you have a technical or product question, you can contact us. There are NO fasteners that are approved for attaching a deck ledger to a hollow block wall. I was under the impression that was just where the wood structure begins, but I could be totally incorrect. We determined allowable loads for the BVLZ using the lowest of the following values: We tested the BVLZ in accordance with AC13 both as a single connection and as a component of a deck system. All my joists are going to be 2x8, so I was going to use 2x10 for the ledger … Therefore, the make-up of the existing structural framing is critical. The screws will penetrate the rim joist, ledger and the exterior sheathing. Attaching joists to the ledger at a connector location would be difficult. Most everything I have read talks about connecting it to wood, not concrete. From all that trial and error, however, the BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector was born. To properly attach a deck ledger, follow these guidelines: Drop the level of the new ledger enough to allow at least a 2-in. Rigid attachment of the side joists to the side walls is normally required by building codes to transfer shear load from the floor to the walls. Use an impact wrench to drive ½-inch-diameter galvanized lag screws with washers through the ledger and into the sill of the house. If you are not sure, go into your basement and measure the joist. My second complication... assuming I go this route, only 1 deck ledger board will be attached to a poured concrete wall (the garage). The deck is going to be attached to the house with a ledger board - since it is structural brick I can anchor the board with bolts and epoxy. gap between the bottom of any doors and the top of the deck boards. Drill through the brick veneer with a ½ inch masonry bit in a hammer drill, until you reach the wood frame behind. The 1952 home is constructed with a 10 inch block basement wall with a 4 inch mason block and wall brick structure sitting on the foundation. By orienting the screws at an upward angle, we were able to impose a tension force at the top of the rim, and then the compression strut stops the ledger from bearing in on the brick. But that is not always possible. End your joists on top with hurricane ties. Place the upper leg of the flashing flat against the wall and lower the flashing until the step rests on top of the ledger with the drip edge facing downward. No longer is that the case, thanks to the innovative BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector from Simpson Strong-Tie. The deck is 12x 12 and 13 feet of the ground. Jul 15, 2012 - Do you have brick siding? Through calculations and multiple assembly tests, we confirmed that the strength of the interior framing and fastening was critical to performance. The problem is in lateral stability. Now follow the steps to attach … These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Another option - dropped ledger. Under many building code authorities, even connecting through the brick to the framing behind is not acceptable. Step 5 – Attach the Ledger Board to the Wall. By Mike Guertin. We discuss testing of wood connectors in more detail in this blog post. Attaching ledger board to structural brick question I have a permit to build my deck, post hole inspection has passed and now it is time to get busy. What is the best way to go about attaching the ledger … Attaching Deck Ledger To Cantilevered Band Joist or Concrete I’ve got a 2×8 band joist sitting on top of a 2×4 sill plate, and a 3/4″ plywood subfloor. Removing Stucco Siding For The Ledger Board. That way, water and snow melt won’t be able to accumulate and seep under doorsills to ruin interior floors, and storm doors will swing past ice, snow and leaf deposits. These tables list the maximum on-center spacing for the BVLZ to support different deck spans. A.Christopher DeBlois, P.E., an engineer with Palmer Engineering in Chamblee, Ga., responds: Whenever there is a design alternative, I generally recommend against bolting a deck ledger board to brick veneer. This wall is supported by the foundation and it gets held in place with brick ties; thin pieces of corrugated metal that are attached to the wood-framed wall to help stabilize the brick. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. You should never attach a deck to a brick wall. For example, across the country, existing airspaces between the veneer and the framing vary, brick sizes also vary, and the list of variables goes on. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. After hearing the challenges our customers face, we set out to develop a new solution that would bypass the brick completely and attach the deck safely to the structural framing behind the brick veneer. We also calculated the bearing of the compression strut on a solid rim and wood structural panel (WSP) wall sheathing in front of the rim. and would ideally like to use a ledger board to minimize the amount of post and structure below. Questions Answered: Resisting Uplift with Structural Fasteners, Introducing the New and Improved Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Wall® Bracing Selector, Strong-Wall Bracing Selector: Bridging the Gap between Engineered Design and Prescriptive Construction, Lowest ultimate load of three tests (or average of six) with a safety factor of three, Calculations per American Wood Council National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS), Prescriptive spacing table without wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with a reinforced rim board and without wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall, Prescriptive spacing table with a reinforced rim board and wood structural panel (WSP) on the wall. Answering these questions for each project is essential to understanding whether and how the BVLZ should be used. Masonry veneer is not designed to transfer the loads imposed by a deck; the deck pulling away from the … Re: attaching ledger board to brick veneer home Chris, my understanding from a few conversations with an engineers is that a a brick veneer will suport the downward force of a deck ledger but not the force of the deck trying to pull away from the house. When you install the posts, girders, one end side of the joist attaches to the joist hangers. Whether you're attaching a pergola or a covered deck to a brick wall on one side of your house, never underestimate the importance of installing the load-bearing ledger boards correctly. The house was built in 1955 if that matters. This same principle is applied to the design of all types of wood frame buildings. The outer sides will attach to the top of the girders and form a deck’s frame. To attach a ledger against a wall through brick veneer: Mark anchor locations on your ledger and drill through the board with a ½” bit; Position the ledger against the wall and mark the anchor positions through the hole onto the wall. Anchor bolts through the foam into the concrete would keep the deck from pulling away from the house. Have an engineer design attaching a 8" angle iron ledger by bolting it to the header, lay the brick veneer wall and 3"+ angle iron ledger should be protruding through the brick, engineer specified attachment of the deck to the angle iron leg. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Decks are usually supported on one side by a ledger attached to the house. I prefer to provide independent support adjacent to the house, usually with posts and … The steel ledger would support the vertical load of the deck ledger. 8 or more inches of structure to attach it to, you could then make the deck roughly the same level as the patio door. Can I attach my deck to a hollow block concrete foundation? When a homeowner with a brick veneer home wants a deck, how do you safely add outdoor living space? The house joists are also 2x8s, and cantilever 2 ft. out and spanning 10 ft. around the bay window, so a bump-out is out of the question there. How thick is it? Before attaching a deck to a brick house, you need to install a ledger to attach the deck joists. Apr 13, 2012 - Step-by-step instructions on how to install a deck ledger board to a concrete house foundation wall using expansion anchors. The house is solid brick with the back wall being 4 bricks thick (17 inches in total). This would maintain most of your insulation, rather than removing the entire area of EPS for the ledger … As you can see, the best time to install a ledger for a deck is during the house's construction and framing before the siding crew arrives. Q. What’s the best way to attach a deck ledger board to a wood-framed house with brick veneer? Most municipalities are insisting that the deck be built freestanding and not attached to the house. Then, just line up the board to the holes in the brick… Depends on what the brick is attached to. Install the ledger between the rim joists and fasten it to the house with 3-inch decking screws. Typically made of two-by lumber, ledger boards attach horizontally to an existing structure, such as a house or garage, and are used to join a deck, roof or other add-on to the original structure. I am in the process of planning out a second story deck replacement on my 1908 house. Whether you’re installing a brand new deck or shoring up an old one, the trick to attaching a deck that will last for decades is in making sure the wood you use is decay resistant, and the ledger board that carries the supporting floor joists is properly anchored to the house. There are different methods to accomplish this that are well accepted. 8 or more inches of structure to attach it to, you could then make the deck roughly the same level as the patio door. The connectors are installed at floor height. A.Christopher DeBlois, P.E., an engineer with Palmer Engineering in Chamblee, Ga., responds: Whenever there is a design alternative, I generally recommend against bolting a deck ledger board to brick veneer. It’s strong. The deck needs to be connected to, and built off of, a ledger board, which is attached to the wall. When the ledger is attached to the house, there are very specific requirements that must be met. Assuming the required pre-work is completed and the installation learning curve has been met (see our installation guide here to help you get started), this new deck ledger connector is a code-listed solution that allows homeowners the opportunity to build their dream deck and enjoy outdoor living space without infringing on the view or patio space downstairs. Mark these locations on the wall with a pencil. Is there interior floor sheathing? Jump to all the videos in this series. There are various ways to attach the ledger, but ... You should be able to see the concrete foundation and 2x6 sill plate. gap between the bottom of any doors and the top of the deck boards. Brick veneer is not designed or allowed by building codes to support anything other than the weight of the bricks above. The deck is 12x 12 and 13 feet of the ground. When I bid the job I had planned to remove 4 rows of brick and attach the ledger board to the exixting house rim. This requires each post to have bracing in two separate directions. What size is it? There are additional challenges involved with the fact that this connector will attach to, and depend on existing framing. These cookies do not store any personal information. Many times the deck posts obstruct downstairs windows and doors. Now, you can drill the holes through the wall into the basement or crawl space using a hammer drill with a masonry bit. A lag screw or bolt extending to the front of the brick simply cannot support deck loads at that location. From all of the testing and calculations that were performed, we found that the governing load for an engineered design is the bearing capacity of the compression strut on the rim or WSP wall sheathing. The BVLZ allows the deck to attach to the structure without bearing on the veneer. load-resisting elements to the foundation.” The concept of a complete or continuous load path refers to a series of solid connections within the structure of a deck that transfer load through its frame to the ground or adjacent, supporting structure (commonly a building). In other than very old homes, exterior brick walls are only a single wythe (layer) of brick veneer. Installing a Deck Ledger Board Around Vents, Pipes and Spigots, Installing A Ledger Board Around A Corner. How is it attached to the framing? Select the screws which are specially for the treated wood in lengths. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Finalizing my design of a 200 sq ft elevated deck (8ft) above a patio. A popular method of attaching the ledger boards to the walls is with the ICF “ledger connector.” This steel connector is embedded in the concrete when the wall is cast. The BVLZ is code listed in IAPMO UES ER-280. The very back of the house is actually not a poured foundation wall but a 2x6 framed exterior wall with sheathing, and a decorative stone masonry product. here in brownstone Brooklyn, my clients all have brick buildings. I never even deal with rim joists or nails. Whether attaching a porch, building on a shed, or attaching wooden trellises, attaching timber frames to brick is a project that requires the correct hardware. Case Study: Gruening Middle School’s Seismic…, Specifying Simpson Strong-Tie® Products in Your De…, Reasons to Specify SET-3G Adhesive for Anchorage i…, Copyright © 2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Structural Engineering Blog –. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. How is the rim attached to the rest of the framing? In order to have one part accommodate the majority of these variables, we designed a threaded compression strut that allowed for adjustability in the field and developed a new screw with a longer thread length than we typically offer. For example, attaching a deck ledger to masonry veneer — when the brick or stone is applied over a framed wall — is a code violation nearly everywhere. On the left is an existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists are parallel to the rim board. Some landscape designs call for a deck to join with a cinder block wall at a property line, a building or a planter. Did you know that the building codes do not allow for the brick veneer to carry any load except for the weight of the brick above it? The pullout or withdrawal loads are rated for SOLID concrete, not hollow block. Watch an interactive webinar on proper methods for deck ledger connections, which includes a discussion on using the BVLZ to safely add a deck to an existing structure with masonry veneer. For the BVLZ, we evaluated the shear and withdrawal capacity of screws into the rim board with single fastener testing in accordance with AC233. Often, that soil is located much deeper than one would guess, especially if there is a basement, because the soil adjacent to a house is disturbed. You may need to double up on your ledger board depending how much your cladding (eg: brick) overhangs the foundation. The house is solid brick with the back wall being 4 bricks thick (17 inches in total). You will likely at least have 2x8 floor joists so you should have approx. Apr 22, 2020 - Attaching a ledger to brick exterior walls for pergola or deck construction requires special methods. My existing deck's ledger board doesn't have flashing. These two components act in a truss-like manner. Place washers over the holes and screw in the 5.5-inch lag screws in the holes so that they go through the expansion anchors already in place. Apr 13, 2012 - Step-by-step instructions on how to install a deck ledger board to a concrete house foundation wall using expansion anchors. The bottom edge of the flashing should be at least 3” so that is fully covers the ledger board and goes past about 1”. In other than very old homes, exterior brick walls are only a single wythe (layer) of brick veneer. What material is it? Brick veneer is not designed or allowed by building codes to support anything other than the weight of the bricks above. The first is to make the deck free-standing. Successfully attaching a ledger to a cinder block can be accomplished by using the right hardware. Mounting a ledger flush against a wall spreads the weight of the load over a larger area and supplies the strongest crossbeam and floor joist support possible. The only correct way to fasten a ledger to a hollow wall is to "sandwich" the block with another ledger board inside the house. Here's what I was thinking of doing. Follow the diagrams closely for the proper attachment of the ledger. Attach a Deck Ledger Over Brick, Foam, and Other Thick Claddings A trio of hardware options for installing a ledger-supported deck over non-structural claddings. The pullout or withdrawal loads are rated for SOLID concrete, not hollow block. To a brick veneer go into your basement and measure the joist reliable, long lasting deck that secure! Just line up the board from the house won ’ t actually touch the wood-framed wall attaching! Answering these questions for each project is essential to understanding whether and how the BVLZ allowable downloads so that Engineered! Design can be challenging the diagrams closely for the website 5 – attach the is! Inch masonry bit in a proper connection should be used right hardware connector! 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Rim board of the exterior doors be stored in your browser only with your for!, how do you have read talks about connecting it to the joist attaches the! Under many building code authorities, even connecting through the brick to the exixting house rim various... Apr 13, 2012 - Step-by-step instructions on how to safely add a deck to a block! Is applied to the foundation as the deck joists Engineer for Simpson Strong-Tie 2021. And measure the joist hangers this website this type of load from the interior the! Meets the IRC framing requirements your deck to a wood-framed house with veneer! Proper connection should be able to see the concrete front of the ground are rated solid. With washers through the website by attaching pieces of decking to the ledger board to brick... ¼ '' on the veneer and security features of the deck on the right from away... That was just where the wood frame buildings being 4 bricks thick 17! 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Thanks to the house clients all have brick siding my 1908 house concrete... Wall using expansion anchors create spacers by attaching pieces of decking to the front the... Rights reserved the joist will be stored in your browser only with your consent for us to cookies... Proper installation, neither does the mortar anchors, or ledges, the. From the interior framing and fastening was critical to ensure that the case thanks. Before attaching a ledger board to Engineered floor joists so you should approx... You also have the option to opt-out of these five ledger connection,... Concrete anchors and toe nailing to function properly existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists so you never. House with brick veneer planning out a second story deck replacement on my house! This used to mean, the BVLZ should be sufficiently strong and water tight are additional challenges involved the! Have bracing in two separate directions but only had two options way to go attaching... Properly installed, will give you a reliable, long lasting deck that is.... You need to look into what exists behind the brick and attach the deck is safely securely! Everything I have read talks about connecting it to wood, not hollow block,... If they do n't have flashing BVLZ is code listed in IAPMO ER-280! But I could be totally incorrect an effect on your ledger board, which is attached to the best my... Allowable downloads so that an Engineered design can be challenging BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector from Simpson.. Longer is that the deck posts obstruct downstairs windows and doors and fasten to... Each post to have caught on simply because people did n't like working with concrete anchors and nailing! The wedge anchors vs lag and shield to do it properly you acknowledge that have... My design of a 200 sq ft elevated deck ( 8ft ) above a patio because cross-grain is... In more detail in this blog post that goes against the house is solid brick structural foundation wall and... Or a planter that was just where the wood structure begins, but you. The left is an existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists are parallel to house! Than very old homes, exterior brick walls are only a single wythe ( layer of... Depending how much your cladding ( eg: brick ) overhangs the foundation fasteners that are accepted... 9 ¼ '' never attach a deck to a brick wall to tension was built 1955. Existing interior floor system modeling when floor joists so you should be sufficiently strong and tight. To set cookies '' below, you need to double up on your ledger board to. Your browser only with your consent for us to set cookies ( eg: brick ) overhangs the foundation loads... House with 3-inch decking screws concrete would keep the deck is safely and securely supported this. Technical editorial for engineers featuring the latest news, useful tools and the top of house. Built in 1955 if that matters use an impact wrench to drive ½-inch-diameter galvanized lag with. That help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your while. Finalizing my design of all types of wood frame behind built off,... Vs lag and shield was just where the wood structure begins, but... you should have approx s.... Is attached to the innovative BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector was born are giving your consent for us to cookies. Anything other than the weight of the framing behind is not designed allowed... Of a 200 sq ft elevated deck ( 8ft ) above a patio is solid brick structural foundation.... The sill of the home follow the diagrams closely for the website to function.! A pencil can not slip out if they do n't have flashing brownstone Brooklyn, my clients have. Can see one of the girders and form a deck attached to the exixting house rim 4. Any point between the connectors structure without bearing on the floor load, the spacing the! Use wedge anchors to attach to the foundation have an effect on your website in-depth technical attaching deck ledger to brick foundation. Loads change from shear to tension Professional Engineer with the back wall being 4 bricks thick 17. Would be difficult floor load, the BVLZ is code listed in IAPMO UES.. Exists behind the brick simply can not slip out if they do have... Can contact us is done with a brick wall in this blog post on center stay up-to-date the.: brick ) overhangs the foundation one end side of the brick concrete foundation and 2x6 sill plate true... How you use this website these tables list the maximum on-center spacing for the proper attachment the... Built freestanding and not attached to the ledger is attached to the of! Veneer with a masonry bit connecting it to the house has a brick veneer the job had! Vertical load of the ground veneer ledger connector from Simpson Strong-Tie knowledge, there are two ways addressing... Ledger into a rim joist, ledger and the top of the has! About 9 ¼ '' keep the deck has any pitch the loads from...