Decks and Railings: Stiffen a Bouncy Deck

By Mike J. Preble
From The Family Handyman
Decks and Railings: angle brace
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Take Out the Sway With an Angle Brace
Some otherwise solid decks tend to sway or wobble as you walk across them, especially decks resting on tall posts 4 or more feet above the ground. Angle-bracing the posts is one good solution to this problem, but the braces often look tacky. Instead, install an angle brace underneath your deck. It's a virtually invisible fix that all but eliminates sway.

If your longest 2x4 doesn't span the entire distance, don’t worry. Add a second one starting from the other corner and run it back alongside the first, nailing it to at least two of the same joists. Have a helper hold the 2x4 in place while you drive the first nails. Driving 16d galvanized nails upward will give your hammer arm a workout!

Photo 1. Cut and nail a treated 2x4 diagonally from corner to corner under your deck. Drive two 16d galvanized nails at each joist.

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