Hi, i'm in the process of building my low height deck and i have a question regarding the recommended fixing bolt/screw suport of these two bearers to each side of this steel post.
Thanks
Hi @mike1w,
Before getting into specific fixings, can you clarify whether you’re intending to elevate the deck structure off the ground and use that steel post as a primary support for the bearers? If the post is going to be carrying load from the deck, then the fixing method and load path become structural considerations. In that case, your question is really one for a structural engineer, as they can confirm whether the post is suitable for that purpose and specify the correct bolt type, size, spacing and edge distances.
If the deck isn’t being elevated and the post isn’t intended to act as structural support, then I’d generally avoid fixing into the steel post altogether. Instead, you could fix the two timber bearers together with solid blocking between them. Given it’s a tight space and access appears limited on one side (especially near a wall), the best fixing method will really depend on access, the final height of the deck, and the overall design. In some layouts, the bearers may not actually need to be fixed to each other at that junction if they’re independently supported and properly restrained elsewhere.
It would help to know a bit more about the project, how the joists will sit on or attach to the bearers, how you’re keeping the timber elevated above ground level to prevent moisture and decay, and whether this connection can be assembled before positioning everything in place. If you can share a few wider photos of the area, that will make it much easier to give more specific guidance. At this point, I would be thinking of adding blocking and the screwing through the face of one bearer, through the blocking and then into the face of the other bearing with long landscape screws. I've created the rendering below to illustrate.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi Mitchell
Thanks for getting back to me and appreciate your help.
The deck is 5.2 x 4.2 , the bearers/joists are 140 x 45 throughout and100mm above the soil level. I'm going to be using Ekodeck designer series.
I'm using 15 timber posts -75mmx100mm attached to support the subframe along with using dynabolt to secure the bearers into the existing garden bed walls.
The plan was to use HD Galv bolts through the timber and steel posts to secure the corners with the other timber posts to bare the majority of the weight The timber posts will have HD Galv bolts to secure them to the bearers.
Hello @mike1w
Thank you for sharing a picture of your decking frame. I propose adding extra joists and putting in extra footings onto the existing frame. As it is now, the decking panels will bow and bounce when stood upon. By adding those extra supports you'll get a firm deck. Since you are adding extra joists and footings, I believe you can have the entire frame as free standing as seen in these guides - How to build a deck and How to build a low-level deck.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks Eric
I intend to install 140 x 45mm joists at 400mm apart and the timber posts are spaced at 1300mm apart and the center bearers are 1800mm to the front and rear.
Would i need more timber posts and bearers than whats pictured?
Do you suggest i don't attach to the metal posts?
Thanks again
That layout looks like it would work.
I can see you’ve marked the additional red posts in those corners, and with those in place, I don’t see a need to connect to the pergola posts.
It would be my recommendation that you do not use the pergola posts to support the deck. If you were considering doing so, that would need to be discussed with the pergola manufacturer and potentially reviewed by an engineer to ensure it is structurally suitable.
Thanks Mitchell
Appreciate your help!
