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When installing your new outdoor deck, it’s important to adequately plan its layout to ensure you have the appropriate amount of materials and, most importantly, you meet all local building and safety code requirements.
How many footings does a deck need? There is no single number that works for every deck. The required footing count depends on deck size and layout, beam spans, structural loads, soil conditions, and the approved design. A properly designed foundation supports the deck and helps prevent settling or movement. The deck foundation carries the weight load for not only the weight of the decking, but also of all the furniture, appliances, and people that reside on top of it. As you begin planning your outdoor deck, start with planning how many deck footings you need for the desired size of your deck to again ensure the decking structure is properly supported.
Building Your Own Deck? Let UglyDeck Handle the Footings
Planning a DIY deck does not mean you have to tackle every stage yourself. UglyDeck installs helical deck footings using specialized equipment, so you can have professional help with the foundation and still build the rest of your deck. Our DIY program also offers material packages, permit-ready drawings, coaching, and optional assistance with other challenging steps. Learn more about UglyDeck DIY assistance and why we switched from concrete to helical deck footings.
What Is a Deck Footing?
Deck footings transfer the deck’s structural loads into suitable soil and help support the posts and beams. Traditional deck footings often use poured concrete, while engineered helical footings use steel shafts and helical plates installed into the soil. The appropriate depth, capacity, spacing, and connections depend on the approved design, local requirements, and site conditions. Neither footing type has a universal spacing rule; the design must account for the loads each footing carries.
Determining the Number of Deck Footings
Ultimately the number of deck footings your deck needs varies and is determined by several factors:
- Size of deck
- Climate and soil composition
- Local building and safety codes
- Size of decking materials used
- Deck design (i.e. basic decking requires less than a deck with more complicated angles)
- Potential additional weight on the deck (e.g. hot tub, outdoor stone kitchen, etc.)
It’s important to turn to your local and state building codes for details on requirements and approved materials, etc., as these will help you determine the number of deck footings you need for your unique deck design. For example, Minnesota deck requirements and local building department guidance should be checked for the specific project. Frost protection, approved footing systems, load capacity, and spacing vary by design and jurisdiction; a universal depth, diameter, or eight-foot spacing rule should not be used in place of an approved plan.
For more specified information and advice on building your deck, be sure to consult with a professional deck builder like UglyDeck.com, as they can address all of your questions and concerns and recommend decking materials that will work best for your goals, design and climate.
Turn to UglyDeck.com for All Your Decking Materials
The right deck foundation starts with a thoughtful plan. Footing locations, beam spans, and material choices should work together to support the finished deck safely and efficiently. UglyDeck brings hands-on deck-building experience to both full-service installations and homeowner-led projects. Our team helps customers make informed decisions about deck design, foundation requirements, and durable materials that suit Minnesota’s climate. Materials must withstand harsh weather conditions and the test of time. At UglyDeck.com, we offer our customers the same access to the high-quality decking materials that our Minnesota deck builders utilize in our professional maintenance-free deck projects, as it is important to us that your project is a success.
Planning a DIY deck? UglyDeck can help you design the deck layout, work through footing locations and structural requirements, and select the right materials before construction begins. Our DIY program includes permit-ready drawings, guidance from a deck coach, and options to have our professionals handle challenging stages such as helical footing installation, ledger attachment, or framing. Explore our DIY deck program or get started with UglyDeck to plan your project. We also have several photos of completed projects on our website that are sure to inspire ideas for your own deck designs!
If you’re ready to get started, order maintenance-free decking materials, spiral staircases, deck railings, accessories and more by messaging us through our contact form with photos and/or your decking plan. And, if you’re not local, no worries! No matter where you live in the U.S., UglyDeck.com now proudly ships to all 50 states. Reach out to us today to get started on building the deck you’ve always wanted!
