What Are All The Deck Components?
Learn to Talk the Talk Like a Pro
Here's a quick deck components refresher with names and definitions so you sound like you know what you are talking about when you speak to a contractor or walk into the lumber store.
Being able to refer to a specific deck component - like a pier, footing, rim joist, or cantilever - makes it easier for everyone to understand each other.
Every trade or profession seems to have their own language to communicate effectively with. Deck building is no different.
Deck Components
Balusters
Vertically oriented members, usually 2x2, that are spaced between top and bottom rails and railing posts to provide a barrier
Balustrade
Section of the railing panel that fits between railing posts consisting of top and bottom rails and balusters
Beams
Dimensional lumber set atop posts at horizontal attitude to support deck substructure
Blocking
Smaller pieces of dimensional lumber secured between joists, usually near the outer edges of the deck to provide support for mounting of posts or stair stringers
Cantilever
The portion of a deck structure that overhangs a supporting beam
Deck Flooring
Dimensional lumber secured to the joists and forms the finished surface of the deck
Fascia
Usually a 1x8 or 1x10 decorative piece of lumber that skirts the outside edge of the deck framing to create a finished look
Footing
Wide concrete base that piers rest on to spread load of deck
Joists
Dimensional lumber set parallel to each other that creates the actual deck structure and rests on beams
Ledger
A rim joist secured to the house that supports joists and forms the outer perimeter of the deck
Piers
Concrete poured into sonotubes below grade or portable concrete footings that sit on top of grade
Post Anchors
Metal brackets set into concrete footings and that attach posts to the footings
Posts
Dimensional lumber set on footings that support beams and the deck substructure
Rim Joist
Dimensional lumber that acts as the outer joist of the framed deck structure
Stringer
Dimensional lumber that support the stair treads of deck stairs