Glossary
Band board/rim joist/fascia board: A framing member attached to the end of joists. This piece closes in the bays and prevents the joists from twisting.
Beam: A horizontal framing member which attaches to the posts and supports the joists.
Bay: The area between two parallel joists.
Blocking: A piece of framing inserted between 2 joists and perpendicular to the joists. Intended to stiffen the frame and lower the incidence of bowing.
Bibs: A vertical piece of the DEK Drain system which installs at the terminal end of the panels. The Bib prevents the discharging water from over-shooting the collection gutter.
Bracing: A framing piece placed at a 45 degree angle to prevent a deck or wall from racking. Sometimes placed between the post and beam.
Cap: The piece of the DEK Drain system which covers the overlap of the panels on the top of the joists. The cap piece runs the entire length of each joist.
Cantilever: The area of a deck which extends beyond the support beam.
Code: A written set of rules governing construction. There are national codes, states codes, county codes and local codes. It is important to know your local codes and to adhere to them.
Collection Gutter: A gutter placed beneath the discharge end of the DEK Drain system. Usually a common rain gutter.
Framing schedule: The layout for placing the joists. Usually stated as 12”, 16” or 24” on-center (o.c.)
Freestanding: A deck which is NOT connected to another structure. A freestanding deck uses several post and beam structures instead of using the building for support.
Footing: A solid base beneath a post, usually underground.
Hidden Fastener: A device for attaching deck boards to the framing system. Eliminates the need to surface-nail (face-nail) the deck boards.
Joist: A framing member which spans an open area, usually from the ledger board to the beam.
Joist Hanger: A metal connector which attaches the joists to the ledger board.
Ledger: A framing member affixed to the house. The joists attach to the ledger board.
Nailer Plate: A piece of framing added for the purpose of supporting a deck board or other where there is no joist surface or other nailbase structure.
On-Center: The measurement from the center of one joist to the center of an adjacent joist.
Panels: The main part of the DEK Drain water diversion system. One panel covers one bay.
Picture-Frame Deck: A pattern for attaching deck boards so that there is a box-frame design to the deck surface. Sometimes called “Pattern Board”.
Pitch: The amount of fall from one end of measurement to another. If a beam is set 2” lower than the ledger board, the deck would have a pitch of 2”. The DEK Drain water diversion system is calibrated for a fall of 1/4” per linear foot.
Post: The vertical framing piece which supports the beam.
Sistered Joists: Joists that overlap each other and in line with each other. Oriented this way to lengthen the run of a joist.
Span: The distance between two points of support. For a joist, typically the distance from the ledger board to the support beam.
Spliced Joists: Joists that butt each other and in line with each other. Oriented this way to lengthen the run of a joist.