Decks and Railings: Stiffen a Bouncy Deck

By Mike J. Preble
From The Family Handyman
Decks and Railings: snap lines
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A deck that bounces when you walk across it won't feel strong and solid, even if it meets structural requirements. The cause is usually long joist spans between beams or between a beam and the house.

To stiffen a deck, you have to be able to get to the framing underneath. You can add another beam, along with posts, to support the joists. However, this is a big job. We recommend that you first add rows of solid blocking every 3 to 4 ft. along the span. Run the first row down the middle of the span, check the deck for bounce, then add rows to further reduce it.

Photo 1. Snap lines for blocks every 3 to 4 ft. along the joist span. Measure and cut the blocks to fit tightly. Tap them into place in a staggered pattern.

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