Adding Deck to 10'X14" Little House

[daverave]

I'd like to add a 14'X6' deck to the front of my Little House cabin. One side of the deck will be support by 3-6X6 posts and a 14' 2X10 double beam the other side will be attached to the cabin using a ledger. Will the foundation of the Little House (6, 6X6 posts sunk down 48") handle the extra load? I would think, yes.

Dave

[Redoverfarm]

Dave you are not really adding that much weight.  It should be fine.

[MountainDon]

Will there be a roof? Will there be snow loads? Will there be a dozen 200 pound people having a party on the deck some day? Might they all congregate on one side of the deck to look at something?


I'm not an engineer, but, I think the doubled up 2x10 beam on three posts will be fine for that end of a porch deck. However, if there is a roof with snow load (or party load) I wonder if the end wall of the cabin should have a center post and footing installed?    One half of the load of the deck (roof and party goers) will be supported by that cabin end joist and ledger. That assumes even load distribution.

Maybe someone else will have knowledgeable input. I simply wonder what the effects are when one adds more than a 3 to 4 foot wide porch. The wider deck adds more potential for heavy loads.

[Redoverfarm]

You make a good point Don but I seem to take things at face value.  Deck is open and porch is covered.  With 1/2 of the weight supported by the 6X6 he should be fine.  Maybe someone smarter than me would think otherwise.

[MountainDon]

Deck is open and porch is covered.  

Correct John. Sometimes my mind just looks for trouble.    Today a deck, but next year when it rains for a couple weeks straight it may become a porch.  

And my assumption was it would be a shed roof attached to the gable end. Whole different story if it's a gable roof. Maybe I have entered too many variables to a simple question?

[daverave]

Gentlemen,

There will be no roof but I'll consider the adding center post. This cabin will be built on land with a 21 degree slope. The main entrance will be at ground level at the back. Putting on a deck just seems right, it'll be up high with a great view. 

[MountainDon]

...it'll be up high with a great view. 

Then you will need ample cross bracing between the posts and the deck joists and beam. Plus the cabin itself will require extra special attention to bracing. A 60 MPH wind on a 14 foot long wall can create some high forces.

You can also stiffen it up by using diagonal deck boards rather than running the deck boards at 90 degrees to the joists. Running a few 2x6 under the joists at a 45 degree angle to the joists can also help with that.  Your handrails should be built to take the possibility of several 200 pound folks leaning against them.