Help Database

Editing deck attributes and building deck framing

1. Open the Chief Architect plan in which you would like to customize deck planking or select File> Open Plan  to open a new, blank plan. 
   
   
   • In this example, a simple 10' x 10' deck is used.
     
     
     
     
     
2. Click the Select Objects  button, then click in the deck room and click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   • In the Room Specification dialog, go to the Deck tab.
     
     
   • Editing the information on this tab will control how the deck planking and framing is created. 
     
     
     
     
     
   • The second part of this article will describe how changing each one of these settings effects the deck. 
     
     
     
3. Once you have made the necessary changes in the dialog, click OK.
   
   
   
4. In Chief Architect X3 and newer, if changes are later made to the settings on the Deck tab of the Room Specification dialog, the deck framing and planking will be automatically rebuilt in response. To prevent this from happening, you can uncheck Automatic Deck Framing.
   
   In Chief Architect X2 and prior, you will need to select the deck room again and go to the edit toolbar and click the Build Advanced Deck Framing  edit button to generate the deck framing.
   
   
   
   

Deck tab settings - What they mean and how they effect framing


Deck Planking:

• Plank Overhang
  
  
  • Use this to specify how far deck planking overhangs the joists.  In the example below, the value is changed from 1/2" to 1".
    
    
    
    
    
• Plank Width
  
  
  • Use this to specify the thickness of the deck planking.  In the example below, the width is changed from 5 1/2" to 10".
    
    
    
    
• Plank Gap Width
  
  
  • Use this to specify the width of the gap between each deck plank.  In the example below, the width is changed from 1/2" to 1 1/2".
    
    
    
    
    
• Plank Direction
  
  
  • This is used to specify the direction of the deck planks. 
    
    
  • When Default is checked, the program will place the deck planking parallel to the longest edge.
    
    
  • In the example below, Default is unchecked and the Plank Direction angle is changed to 45°.
    
    
    
    
    
• Number of Border Planks
  
  
  • Use this to specify the number of border planks that will go around the edge of the deck.
    
    
  • In the example below, this value is changed from 0 to 3.
    
    
    
    
    
• No Border Against Walls and Herringbone
  
  
  • Both of these checkboxes are only applicable when border planks are present. 
    
    
  • No Borders Against Walls prevents border planking from being generated along any walls defining the deck.
    
    
  • Herringbone produces a herringbone pattern where the border planks meet, instead of miters at the corners.
    
    
  • Examples of each are shown below.
    
    
    
    

Deck Structure:

• Joist Depth
  
  
  • Use this to specify the depth of the joists that will support the deck. In the example below, the depth is changed from 7 1/2" to 12".
    
    
    
    
    
• Joist Spacing
  
  
  • Use this to specify the distance between the joists that support the deck planking. In the example below, the spacing is changed from 16" to 24".
    
    
    
    
    
• Joist Direction
  
  
  • Use this to specify the direction of your joists.
    
    
  • When Default is checked, the program looks at the direction of the deck planks and the size of your deck to determine which way the joists will run.
    
    
  • In the example below, Default is uncheck and the direction is changed to 45°.
    
    
    
    
    
• Support Beam Depth and Width
  
  
  • Specify the width and depth of the beams that will support the deck joists. In the example below, Depth and Width are changed from 4"x8" to 6"x12".
    
    
    
    
    
• Support Beam Spacing
  
  
  • Use this to specify the spacing between the beams that support the deck joists. In the example below, the spacing is changed from 96" to 48".