How to Attach a Beam to a Post for a Deck | Decks, Docks & Gazebos

In this episode, Jason walks you through how to correctly attach a beam to a post when you're building a deck. Jason Lake shows you common mistakes, and easy fixes for building a deck.

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Looking for Cottage-related DIY projects, design tips, recipes and more?

Find out where to watch the Cottage Life television channel!

SUBSCRIBE to the Dockside DIY Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel!

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Looking for a rental in Canadian cottage country?

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Join Michelle Kelly, editor of Cottage Life magazine, for a new podcast that explores cottage topics from entertaining and maintenance to wildlife and the environment

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This kayak and canoe launch pad is a game changer for paddlers

7 Cozy cabin spaces that will inspire you

5 easy ways to prevent dust spread during a build

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[richardtruckner]

Although I like notching, the shear strength of a grade 2 carriage bolt is 13, 500 lbs and grade 5 is almost double at 24, 400 lbs. The strength of the bolts is well in excess of the lumbers ability to hold an extreme load. The biggest danger is the lumber could split at the bolts when places under excessive loads.

[sgtbender]

1st time I saw this channel... mind blown by how he went straight to the point, and delivered great information that was well explained without making me feel like I was missing out on life while he talked. Well done!! Subscribed, and look forward to checking out the other vids.

[J]

DUUUDE! So glad to see you here. I've been a fan for years of Decks, Docks, & Gazebos. You're quite a crafty guy & seem to really enjoy what you're doing, especially the making people happy part. I'm not keen on notching posts but I see your point.

I hope you're still around, making things happen.

[ricc]

All you easy chair experts here are a hoot, this guy is correct. Other ways will work, but his way provides for the maximum support.

[a.k.]

After showing this video to a structural engineer, & an architect, and speaking to friends and family who've built many decks in their years, I concluded that duct tape is the best choice.

[byfith]

Thats why I use solid Iron lumber with wooden screws.

[charleshanson]

1/2" bolt has ~7000 lbs of sheer strength x 2 = 14k lbs at each post in this 'wrong' example. The 6x6 post itself has about the same /compression/ strength. The real reason for the rabbit joint is wood shrinkage. Over time, the treated lumber will shrink and a bolt will loosen. With the beam directly supported by the meat of the post, loose bolts from shrinkage do not compromise the integrity, and can and SHOULD be checked to be tightened.

[marksettles]

After 30 years in business, in Tenn if you notch a post your asking to introduce water into the heart of the post which will then freeze and thaw and make the post split over time. Regardless of whatever type of "waterproofing" you add it let the post come apart faster then carriage bolts or lag bolts. I recently repainted a deck i built 25 years ago using lag bolts, stil good and sturdy and straight. I repaired a 10 year old deck another person built with notched posts that was already showing serious degradation to the posts. Decks were built for years and years without notching posts. Unless building codes demand it, dont do it.

[TURNKEYiNK]

Great example. Thanks for sharing!
What would be the best approach for 2 beams that meet at a corner post?
Thanks again.

[cglaister]

Bolted joints work by creating friction between the two surfaces, therefore if the bolts are tightened sufficiently all the shear load is taken by the wood. The “wrong way” is fine assuming the bolts never come loose. When they do (most likely by the wood shrinking/relaxing under the compression from the bolts) then the wood will shift and load the bolts in shear. The failure point will then likely become blowing the bolts out the top side of the beams. The “right way” is safety in the long run as it doent matter how tight the bolts are as long as they stop the beam falling off the post.

Also, carriage bolts shouldn’t have washers, they have a square protruding under the head that’s intended to stop them spinning. The washer will reduce or prevent the protrusion engaging with the wood making it likely impossible to tighten fully.

[grbst]

If notched method, best to notch both sides for a beam on either side, by putting both together you dont allow air to dry out when they get wet. Have seen many of these needing replaced because the rot between them from always holding moisture

[simonm]

I normally use double sided sticky tape

[pstowitts]

Normally the bolts won't see much in shear due to the friction the bolts are providing between the two wood pieces. The problem occurs when the bolts loosen up and start taking the load directly. Even so, the typical homeowner's deck doesn't carry huge amounts of weight (except maybe when piled with snow) and one carriage bolt in a deck would never be a single point of failure. That being said, best to build to code.

[malikto]

I like the new self taping lag scews that replace the carriage bolts in many applications. So much faster.

[madpainter]

Four carriage bolts definitely have some shear strength, especially when held in the wood.

[hugavet]

there's more than one way to skin a fox. .. but the right way is the way that is still holding years after the check has cleared. I'm a big fan of the notch method. you can't argue with this point load strength. However, I did notice a valid argument of cutting the notch 1/2" shallow to accommodate for shrinkage.
thanks for the vid. I probably would have run the lag screws prematurely!

[randyruchotzke]

Hey Jason, doesn't the friction from tightening the bolts carry the load, not the shear stress of the carriage bolts? I do appreciate the notched version also.

[jfkkennedy]

ok, am a 30 + yr experienced carpenter/builder on an island, in a resort town with a boat building industry and of alot upper end homes where quality, code are a must, we are in a hurricane zone. Many VERY GOOD wood workers, shipwrights, joiners, carpenters, cabinet makers here.
Cudos to you, very few carpentry videos on Youtube impress me...
BUT FINALLY some one doing it
great job

[glynowilliams]

When you cut the pressure-treated do you need to re-coated copper Green or some other type of sealer, I’m in California and we just use beams on top of the post with a bracket between.

[tinkv]

I would always notch out but for smaller decks would use the carriage bolts and use a 2x4 support underneath the load for additional support. There is a few ways to skin a cat as long as your not breaking code