General requirements. Ledger board fasteners must be installed in accordance with this section. Placement and spacing must be in accordance with Figure 15 and Table 6. Only the fastener types listed here are approved for use; lead anchors are prohibited. Adequacy of connections may be verified by local inspectors.
| Fastener | Band Board | Joist Span: less than or equal to | ||||||
| 6' | 8' | 10' | 12' | 14' | 16' | 18' | ||
| Lag screws | 1" EWP | 24" | 18" | 14" | 12" | 10" | 9" | 8" |
| 1 1/8" EWP | 28" | 21" | 16" | 14" | 12" | 10" | 9" | |
| 2x Lumber | 30" | 23" | 18" | 15" | 13" | 11" | 10" | |
| Through—Bolts | 1" EWP | 24" | 18" | 14" | 12" | 10" | 9" | 8" |
| 1 1/8" EWP | 28" | 21" | 16" | 14" | 12" | 10" | 9" | |
| 2x Lumber | 36" | 36" | 34" | 29" | 24" | 21" | 19" | |
| Through—Bolts with 1/2" stacked washers4,5 | 2x Lumber | 36" | 36" | 29" | 24" | 21" | 18" | 16" |
| Adhesive anchors | ______ | 32" | 32" | 32" | 24" | 24" | 16" | 16" |
1These values are valid for deck ledgers consisting of douglas fir/larch, hem/fir, or southern pine; and for band boards consisting of douglas fir— larch, hem—fir, spruce—pine—fir, southern pine, or engineered wood product (EWP).
2Where solid—sawn pressure—preservative—treated deck ledgers are attached to engineered wood products (minimum 1" thick wood structural panel band joist or structural composite lumber including laminated veneer lumber), the ledger attachment must be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. These tabulated values are in accordance with that practice and are based on 300 lbs and 350 lbs for 1" and 1 1/8" EWP rim board, respectively.
3 The thickness of the sheathing over the band board must not exceed 15/32".
4 The maximum gap between the face of the ledger board and face of the wall sheathing is1/2".
5 Wood structural panel sheathing, gypsum board sheathing, or foam sheathing is permitted between the ledger board and the band board. Stacked washers are permitted in combination with wood structural panel sheathing, but are not permitted in combination with gypsum board or foam sheathing. The maximum distance between the face of the ledger board and the face of the band board is 1".
Through—bolts. Through—bolts must have a diameter of 1/2 inch. Pilot holes for through—bolts must be 17/32 to 9/16 inches in diameter. Through—bolts must be equipped with washers at the bolt head and nut. Bolts should be tightened 6 to 12 months after construction due to drying and wood shrinkage.
Expansion anchors. Expansion or adhesive anchors must be used for attaching a ledger board to a concrete or solid masonry wall, as shown in Figure 12. The bolt or threaded rod of expansion anchors must have a diameter of 1/2 inch, which in some cases may result in needing a 5/8 inch—diameter anchor. Expansion anchors must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and must be equipped with washers.
Adhesive anchors. Approved adhesive anchors with a 1/2 inch—diameter threaded rod must be used for attaching a ledger board to hollow masonry, as shown in Figure 13. Examples of approved adhesive anchors include the Epcon Acrylic 7 by ITW Ramset/Red Head, and the HY—20 by Hilti. Adhesive anchors are also permitted with concrete or solid masonry installations. Adhesive anchors must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and must be equipped with washers. Adhesive cartridges should remain on the jobsite for inspector verification.
Lag screws. The diameter, length, and shank of lag screws must comply with Figure 16. Lag screws must be equipped with washers and be installed in the following sequence:
- Drill a 1/2 inch—diameter hole in the ledger board and a 5/16 inch—diameter pilot hole into the solid—connection material of the existing house.
- Insert the lag screw through the ledger board and into the pilot hole by turning. Do not drive with a hammer. Use soap or a wood—compatible lubricant if needed to facilitate tightening.
- Tighten each lag screw snugly, but do not over—tighten so as to cause wood damage.
