Notched Wood Post Beam Connection

Using a notched post and beam connection will keep the beam in place and secure it from rotating. This technique also adds an attractive detail that adheres to the architectural principal of form follows function. Notching a post does not weaken the structural integrity of the support post because the load for the deck is transferred down through the post to the footings. The upright notched section acts only to stabilize the beam. Most deck builders use a reciprocating saw to cut an L shaped void in the top of the post large enough to hold the beam. Another building method to consider if you don’t have a reciprocating saw involves using circular saw to score the top of the post to remove the weakened sections with a chisel. A 2-2x10 beam will require a notch 3” wide by 9.5 inches tall. To hold the beam in place you will then need to predrill and run two ½” threaded carriage bolts through the beam and the top of the notch.