I am building a deck. One section of the deck will come out from the house 4 feet furhter than the rest of the deck. This pushes my joist spans to the next larger size. This part of the deck is supported from a beam a little further out, and the rest of the deck is supported from a different beam. Can I (and is it a good idea) to use 2×12 joists for the longer joists, and 2×10 joists for the shorter ones. I can raise the beam the 2x10s sit on by 2 inches so that the top of the joists are at the same level.
Or I can just buy all 2×12 joists for the whole thing.
Best Answer
It is ok to use all 2x12's of course, and ok to use 2x10 joists on a 2x12 band.
Other ideas ...
1) use lower grade 2x12s in place of the 2x10s
2) use all 2x10s placing them 16" on center for the short spans and 12"oc for the long spans
3) look into cantilevering the joists on the long span, which may allow using 2x10s @ 16"oc (instead of uncantilevered 2x12 @ 16"oc).