Ledger Over Siding

Never install a ledger board over the top of siding no matter what you hear this can weaken the connection.

Ledger over siding.

Aluminum and vinyl siding can easily be removed with tin snips from an area one foot surrounding the ledger board location. Step 1 determine the size of the ledger board to ensure proper strength a ledger board should be made out of the same size lumber that was used to make the deck joists usually 2 inch by 10 inch boards. The wall leg is at least 7 in. After the ledger is installed a second strip of membrane tape is applied over the top of the ledger and about 1 2 in.

In order to install the ledger board you usually need to remove the house s siding. The attach a deck is a simple deck ledger mounting system that stands the ledger off the wall eliminating the need for flashing that s the big benefit but there are other features i like. Nail undersill trim j channel will also work over the bottom cut using 11 gauge aluminum nails. The following steps will explain an easy method of removing the lap siding and attaching a ledger board.

Mike guertin is a builder and remodeler in east greenwich r i and frequent presenter at jlc live and deckexpo. This may seem excessively tall but is needed in order for the water resistive barrier wrb and siding to overlap the top. The ledger board is a horizontal framing member usually two by 10 or two by 12 lumber that supports one side of a deck and attaches flat to the wall of a house after removing a section of siding. Attach a deck can be used to mount ledgers on new homes and retrofit decks over siding on existing homes the system is tested by an engineering service the installation is simple and fast lag screws.

Instead cut off a section of siding so ledger can be in complete contact with house. I want to attach the ledger board directly into the hardiboard siding of the garage with lag screws using washers as spacers for drainage between the ledger and the siding. In the long run cutting into the siding and the exterior foam to install the ledger may be more work than installing the additional footings posts and beam needed for a freestanding deck. Properly installing a ledger board for your deck is one of the most important structural components of building a safe and strong deck.

Here are the steps to take when installing a ledger on a home with siding. Make the outline large enough to include space for the deck boards on top the ledger and any trim boards on the sides. Then cut away the siding. Make sure to install flashing under the siding extending over the ledger the flashing prevents the build up of moisture which causes rotting.