How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck?
The answer depends on the size and shape of your deck, the size of your deck footings, and the size of your beams. The larger the beam and footing size, the fewer footings that are required. For most situations, you will want to place footings and posts less than 8' apart. If you are planning on installing a hot tub or porch on top of your deck, you will usually need more footings and posts to support the additional loads. Freestanding decks that are not attached to the house with a ledger board will require an additional beam and row of footings. Decks with lots of angles may also require additional footings. Use the Decks.com footing and beam calculator to test your design.
Cutting a Concrete Pad
Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.
Protecting From Collapse
Learn how to use cardboard sonotubes and hole covers to protect your deck footing holes from caving in and flooding before pouring concrete.
Retaining Walls
Avoid problems related to digging deck footings near retaining walls. Learn some tips from the pros for how to handle these difficult situations.
How to Decorate Deck Support Columns
Browse some examples of decorative deck support posts for tall decks.
How to Slope a Deck for Water Runoff and Drainage
Learn if your deck needs to be sloped and how to do it.
How to Brace a Swaying Deck
Learn how to install a diagonal brace on your deck frame to prevent racking. Check out our detailed image.
More Helpful Resources
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Can I use pier blocks?
Our inspector explains the pros and cons of using pier blocks for deck foundations.
Monolithic Pier
Compare the pros and cons of installing a solid concrete deck footing using a cardboard tube or engineered forms.
Footing Size
You don’t need to be an engineer to figure out what size footings your new deck will need to safely support it. Everything you need to know is right here.
Why is Joist Protection so Important for Your Deck?
If you’ve ever seen a piece of wood left out in the weather for any period of time, you know what happens: decay. Whether through wet rot, insect damage, or mildew, the fibers begin to break down.
How to Create Strong Post-to-Beam Connections
Learn how to create a positive structural connection for your post to beam connections. Use lag bolts, through bolts with washers, support cleats and hardware connectors.
How to Build a Multi-Level Deck
Multi-level decks are very popular. Learn how to build a deck that steps up or down using shared posts and footing connections.
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights