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Deck Ledger Board Articles

A deck ledger board is used when attaching a deck to a house. It supports both the deck joists, as well as bolsters the framing of the deck. If your deck is attached to your house (and not a free-standing deck), you’ll also need deck flashing, which serves as a barrier against moisture from getting into the house through any openings made while attaching your ledger board.

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If you’re building a deck that’s attached to a house, learning about deck flashing installation and proper ledger board attachment is essential to creating a structurally sound deck that you can safely enjoy for years to come. If you are building a deck yourself, browse through our collection of articles to learn more about the process of adding a deck to a house and building a strong, stable connection, ledger board flashing, how to attach a ledger board to a house, and more.

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Nail the Z flashing over the top of the ledger

Deck Ledger Board

My existing deck's ledger board doesn't have flashing. What should I do?

Our inspector discusses what you should do if you deck ledger board isn't properly flashed.

Block wall

Deck Ledger Board

Can I attach my deck to a hollow block concrete foundation?

Our inspector discusses how to attach a deck to a hollow concrete block foundation wall.

close up picture of decking

Deck Ledger Board

Attaching a Deck Ledger Board to Engineered Floor Joists

Explore your options for building a deck onto a house with engineered floor joists.

Pipes ledger board

Deck Ledger Board

Installing a Deck Ledger Board Around Vents, Pipes and Spigots

How do you install a deck ledger board around vents, pipes and spigots? We offer two solutions that can solve your problem.

Ledger Spacer

Deck Ledger Board

Deck Ledger Spacers

Learn how to install deck ledger board spacers to allow air to flow behind your ledger board to prevent rot.

DTT1Z

Deck Ledger Board

Lateral Load Connector Device

Learn about your options for providing lateral load support for your deck. We explain recent code changes affecting deck building.

Score with a utility knife. Do not cut all the way through.

Deck Ledger Board

Types of Deck Flashing

Compare stainless steel, copper and vinyl flashing materials for waterproofing your deck ledger board.

Rotten House

Deck Ledger Board

Checking the House's Framing Condition

Make sure your house frame is solid and in good condition before installing a deck ledger board. We list some problem areas to look for before building.

close up picture of decking

Deck Ledger Board

Removing Stucco Siding For The Ledger Board

Learn how to cut through stucco siding to prepare a house wall to install a deck ledger board.

Framing around a chimney or bay

Deck Ledger Board

Framing A Deck Around A Bay

Learn a technique for framing around a cantilevered house bay to properly support your deck.

Overlap the flashing in the corner

Deck Ledger Board

Installing A Ledger Board Around A Corner

Follow our tips to properly install a deck ledger board around the corner of a house to keep water out.

Nail the flashing onto the house.

Deck Ledger Board

How to Flash a Deck Ledger Board

You should flash your ledger before you install your decking. Over time, the house frame behind the deck will rot if it gets wet.

Deck Bracing

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Attachment to Brick Siding

Do you have brick siding? You should never attach to just the brick. This is very dangerous.

Ledger detail for foundation attachment

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Attachment to a Solid Concrete Foundation Wall

Step-by-step instructions on how to install a ledger board to a concrete house foundation wall using expansion anchors.

Proper flashing to a house frame

Deck Ledger Board

Attaching a Ledger Board for Your Deck

Learn how to properly install a waterproof ledger board using flashing and fasteners. Check out our step-by-step video and detail drawings.

Nail your Z flashing onto the house

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Fasteners

Compare lag bolts, carriage bolts and structural screws as deck ledger board fasteners. Take a look at our ledger board fastener spacing chart.

Measure carefully to cut around the door

Deck Ledger Board

Removing the Siding for the Ledger Board

Learn how to cut and remove aluminum, vinyl, wood and cement board siding for installing a deck ledger board to a house wall.

Layout your bolt

Deck Ledger Board

Laying Out the Deck Ledger Board

Learn how to plan ahead to avoid problems when installing your deck ledger board to the house wall.

FILTER BY CONTENT
All deck ledger content
Deck Ledger Board
Nail the Z flashing over the top of the ledger

Deck Ledger Board

My existing deck's ledger board doesn't have flashing. What should I do?

Our inspector discusses what you should do if you deck ledger board isn't properly flashed.

Block wall

Deck Ledger Board

Can I attach my deck to a hollow block concrete foundation?

Our inspector discusses how to attach a deck to a hollow concrete block foundation wall.

A Deck

Deck Ledger Board

Attaching a Deck Ledger Board to Engineered Floor Joists

Explore your options for building a deck onto a house with engineered floor joists.

Pipes ledger board

Deck Ledger Board

Installing a Deck Ledger Board Around Vents, Pipes and Spigots

How do you install a deck ledger board around vents, pipes and spigots? We offer two solutions that can solve your problem.

Ledger Spacer

Deck Ledger Board

Deck Ledger Spacers

Learn how to install deck ledger board spacers to allow air to flow behind your ledger board to prevent rot.

DTT1Z

Deck Ledger Board

Lateral Load Connector Device

Learn about your options for providing lateral load support for your deck. We explain recent code changes affecting deck building.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Score with a utility knife. Do not cut all the way through.

Deck Ledger Board

Types of Deck Flashing

Compare stainless steel, copper and vinyl flashing materials for waterproofing your deck ledger board.

Rotten House

Deck Ledger Board

Checking the House's Framing Condition

Make sure your house frame is solid and in good condition before installing a deck ledger board. We list some problem areas to look for before building.

A Deck

Deck Ledger Board

Removing Stucco Siding For The Ledger Board

Learn how to cut through stucco siding to prepare a house wall to install a deck ledger board.

Framing around a chimney or bay

Deck Ledger Board

Framing A Deck Around A Bay

Learn a technique for framing around a cantilevered house bay to properly support your deck.

Overlap the flashing in the corner

Deck Ledger Board

Installing A Ledger Board Around A Corner

Follow our tips to properly install a deck ledger board around the corner of a house to keep water out.

Nail the flashing onto the house.

Deck Ledger Board

How to Flash a Deck Ledger Board

You should flash your ledger before you install your decking. Over time, the house frame behind the deck will rot if it gets wet.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Deck Bracing

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Attachment to Brick Siding

Do you have brick siding? You should never attach to just the brick. This is very dangerous.

Ledger detail for foundation attachment

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Attachment to a Solid Concrete Foundation Wall

Step-by-step instructions on how to install a ledger board to a concrete house foundation wall using expansion anchors.

Proper flashing to a house frame

Deck Ledger Board

Attaching a Ledger Board for Your Deck

Learn how to properly install a waterproof ledger board using flashing and fasteners. Check out our step-by-step video and detail drawings.

Nail your Z flashing onto the house

Deck Ledger Board

Ledger Board Fasteners

Compare lag bolts, carriage bolts and structural screws as deck ledger board fasteners. Take a look at our ledger board fastener spacing chart.

Measure carefully to cut around the door

Deck Ledger Board

Removing the Siding for the Ledger Board

Learn how to cut and remove aluminum, vinyl, wood and cement board siding for installing a deck ledger board to a house wall.

Layout your bolt

Deck Ledger Board

Laying Out the Deck Ledger Board

Learn how to plan ahead to avoid problems when installing your deck ledger board to the house wall.

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