Even if you re using the right grade of hardware all it takes is a couple of loose bolts and your deck.
Bolting deck beams to posts.
Because the entire weight of the deck is resting on one of the members and that is being held by 1 3 bolts.
Don t rely on bolting deck beams to posts.
Think about it for a moment when you take a 2x4x16 and rest it on 3 saw horses spaced at 1 15 and 15 3 now apply a load in the middle of that 2x4 it bends off the last sawhorse.
Post caps are sized for 4 4 and 6 6 posts at one end.
Choose the right size hardware for your beam.
And it is as long as you re not solely relying on the bolts to hold your deck together and keep it solid and sturdy for years.
There s no penalty for exceeding code and it s easier to keep a single bolt size on hand 1 2 inch bolts are required for many other deck connections.
The other end is sized for either a full 4x or 6x beam or a built up beam double or triple 2x.
Bolting deck beams to the posts sounds like a good idea right.
Bolting beams to posts.
Some can be installed after the post and beam are attached and are usually used in pairs one on each side of the post.
While code typically allows 3 8 inch diameter bolts for fastening braces to posts beams or joists i use 1 2 inch diameter bolts instead.