DECK FRAMING ON ANOTHER LEVEL

Our lead carpenter, Josh Risberg, is very particular about building materials. I couldn’t understand why he chose to frame his entire deck with laminated veneer lumber (LVL). It’s more expensive than conventional 2-by framing, and it’s really heavy. Yet I soon realized Josh was on to something, especially with his choice of Pacific Woodtech LVLs.

PWT’s TRU-CORE treating system is different; the treatment permeates the entire board to its core. That’s not the case with most conventionally treated lumber. This makes the company’s LVLs more effective at preventing decay, rot and insect damage. Although these LVLs aren’t rated for ground contact, they do work for exterior columns and sill plates.

These joists may be heavier to put in place, but they’re dead flat and straight as an arrow, with no bad edges. They’ll also support longer spans, meaning fewer support columns and longer cantilevers. Josh put a 6-ft. cantilever on his deck to provide a walkthrough area below. These are other benefits:

■ There’s no need to re-treat ends after cuts.

■ It’s noncorrosive to framing hardware.

■ The joist sizes are consistent.

■ You can stain it immediately.

You do need to use joist sealing tape, but that’s good practice for any deck framing. PWT makes these joists in nominal lumber sizes from 2x6 to 2x12 and offers beams in the same material from 1-3/4 in. x 9-1/2 in. up to 5-1/4 in. x 18 in. And the product is backed by a 25-year warranty.