Thread: Min & Max post rebate sizes

Hello all, I am part way through building a deck and verandah for the first time and need some advice from the experienced on the required size of post rebates for bearers. This forum has already been fantastic with information during the time I was planning and starting this project.

The deck/verandah post are 115 x 115 Cypress and will have twin T/P 140 x 45 bearers bolted to it on each side using 12G cup head galv bolts.

Can anyone advice or know of what the minimum and maximum size of the rebates into post need to be? The Alan Staines book I have mentions leaving no less than 44mm in the post after the rebate but this seems too little to be left over. Others say 10mm minimum in 90 x 90 T/P posts.

I assume this must depend on the type and size of timber posts and the loading on it. I ran some AS1684 calculations for the 115 x 115 cypress posts and the anticipated dead and live loads for the deck and verandah - the maximum post loading capacity is currently only 17% for deck and verandah (polycarbonate roof).

Thanks in advance.
Derek