Deck question...
 

Long story short, I need to remove the center post in the pictures. Deck is 14' wide at this point, with a post on each end and a center post, well, in the center. I was figuring on replacing the outer posts with at least a 6"x 6" and maybe running a metal I-Beam across the top, or maybe some type of wooden beam.. Any suggestions?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1407109574.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1407109584.jpg

They make laminated timbers that can be used in place of I-beams and look much more attractive for this type of external application. I think they are like 10x10" or 12x10". I would ask how they hold up in exterior work first, I have some supporting my house, but they are not exterior. Get a couple jackscrew-type metal poles to support things while you do the work.

You can use a 12" outdoor Microlam , or a beam, comprised of 3, laminated 2x12s . With those,you're good with up to a 16 ft span between support posts. Plus you need to add diagonal bracing, from the posts up to the beam, and to the joists.

What are the dimensions of the deck? Length of joist from house to the railing?

You could start here

http://www.awc.org/publications/dca/dca6/dca6-09.pdf

I'm pretty sure this is all you need to know. ;)

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hkmeoYKYctw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:D

Good luck with the answer to your actual question. I see them do that sort of work on the home remodeling shows all of the time, but couldn't give you a good answer.

^^^ Ha!

Call your local lumber yard and tell them what you need and they will be able to get you the right LVL or one that rated for exterior application. Building code and engineering is part of the process around here, so have the timber company provide you with that info for the city.

Contact your towns building subcode official. Find out what HE requires. I work in a number of towns in my area, and I can get different requirements from different inspectors in the same town. It can be a nightmare.
They have really been cracking down on deck construction over the past few years. The building requirements and codes have been getting more and more stringent. I refuse to build or touch a customers deck without the proper permitting.

Over in your neck of the woods too?

My neighbor had been begging me to rebuild their old deck and want to triple the size so they can have some great outdoor living space. The old deck is still structurally sound, but the deck boards are weathered from our sunny socal sun. The footings are no more then 24" deep about 8" wide and it hasn't moved an inch. This is hill side, so the building officials want, you ready, engineering and soil reports. I am OK with that. But my engineer warned me about the fact that caissons installation maybe be required due to stringent and new hillside building code. No real way to get equip back there. All that money for a deck is crazy?

OMFG that video is hilarious. Coffee - nose - Keyboard....

African Caulk sealant....LOL!

There are so many ways to make that work.

Beam height gives stiffness (video puns aside) and that's generally what you want. (acceptable strength often follows)

Steel is really great stuff. There are various soln's there. Or you could integrate the deck rail into the structure/span. On the posts, what kind of wood are they? VG oak, or knotty pine? ... The existing may be plenty adequate to carry the load while missing the one post.

I'll differ to a pro, but a laminate over steel might be better for outdoors usage.

It really is all about permission. (seriously?) And that permission from people who take your money for that permission, without offering any value add (they won't give you design help) only a game of permission for sale. But at least the permission sellers have ZERO liability if they permit a bad design. You get what you pay for... no wait....

Land of the Free, Home of the brave... no wait.

Appears as though you've got a well constructed deck there. I'd advise if you'd want to replace the center that you could easily switch to an exterior rated LVL laminated beam. It would be difficult to remove the 4x4's currently and use a 6x6. If you must I'd use a recipro saw and cut the fasteners if possible or at least make that part of the plan if you can't get the current screws out.
http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf

^^ is a good guide for deck construction.

Sorry that code isn't truly uniform in the US... at least whomever you deal with as far as permitting should be helpful and pleasant about it.

Thanks for all the ideas guys. The deck is kind of L shaped, but that portion is roughly 16'l X 14'w.