wrote in message
ups.com...
I plan on building a 2nd story deck that is supported by brick columns.
I would like to support the free end of the deck with 3 square brick
columns that extend through the deck floor to provide attachments for
railing. The height of the deck floor from the ground will be 11 feet.
I have a few questions:
1. How large should the columns be?
2. Should there be an additional support structure inside of the
columns? (concrete blocks, poured concrete, wood column, etc)
3. How would the deck be attached to the columns?
4. How would the deck be attached to the house? I can use posts that
are placed next to the house but since the house is under construction
and has not been bricked yet, I was hoping there was a way to attached
something to the structure before the brick is layed that will support
the deck.


You've had some good replies so far, Re structural design and permit issues.

But I note you gave no length and breadth spec.

But, to 'guesstimate', if the decks in a non-seismic area and not much wider
than 10', you should at least use a "1 1/2 brick" (13"x13") square brick
collumns @ +/-10' centers, with steel or RC structural core *essential* [eg:
well-compacted concrete (1cement/3sand/3stone) fill and min 2 x rebar -
right down into the footing (min 3'3" square)] for this loading at this
height. I can't advise
on attaching to wall-framing, but the (hardwood) deck bearers can be built
into the brickwork [ full brick width ] with those ends pre-treated with
waterproofer/ plastic wrapping. Make them min. one-size-bigger-than-minimum
timber sections for your spans, in case there's ever going to be a bunch of
people dancing around on that deck!

--
R'zenboom