My contractor buddy called my deck joist spacing 'a trampoline waiting to happen'

He said my 24-inch centers with 2x6s were a joke for a composite deck. I ripped it out and redid it at 12 inches, which cost me an extra $300 in lumber. Anyone else get called out on a basic framing rule they totally missed?

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_gibson22mo ago

Actually, 24 inches is fine for composite.

kelly_coleman612mo ago

My contractor, like @harper_gibson2, always says 24 inches is the standard for composite decking.

brian_jackson22d ago

24 inches is standard right up until your deck starts waving at you from the yard. I've seen contractors treat spacing like a suggestion (especially with composite, where the sag can be brutal in summer heat). Harper Gibson is right that 24 inches can work, but only if your joists are perfect and you never have a heavy snow load or a party with too many people. My neighbor listened to that advice and now his deck has a permanent dip you could roll a bowling ball down. @harper_gibson2 probably has a great contractor, but that doesn't mean the standard works for every single install.