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How many joist hangers and joist hanger nails a deck needs, with the matching LUS hanger size.
With these inputs:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Joist hangers (LUS28) | 11 |
| Hanger nails in total | 110 × 0.148" × 3" (10d common) |
| Into the header / ledger | 66 (6 per hanger) |
| Into the joists | 44 (4 per hanger) |
| Joists on the ledger | 13 (2 end joists fastened at the corners) |
| Interior joists | ceil(16 × 12 ÷ 16) + 1 − 2 = 11 |
| Hangers | 11 × 1 + 0 extra = 11 |
| Nails per hanger | 6 into the header + 4 into the joist = 10 |
Fastener counts are Simpson Strong-Tie's schedule for LUS face-mount hangers (LUS24 4+2, LUS26 4+4, LUS28 6+4, LUS210 8+4) with 0.148 × 3 in nails; screws such as Simpson SD connector screws are an alternative — follow the hanger maker's table. Use hangers and nails with a coating rated for treated lumber (e.g. ZMAX or stainless).
Joists that butt into a ledger or a flush beam hang in metal joist hangers, and every hole in the hanger gets the specified nail. Enter the deck length, the joist spacing, the joist size and how many ends of each joist sit in hangers. The calculator counts the hangers, names the matching Simpson Strong-Tie LUS face-mount model and counts the 10d nails for the header and the joist.
One for each joist end that butts into a ledger or flush beam. A 16 ft ledger with joists 16 in on center has 13 joists; the two end joists are usually the rim, so 11 hangers. If the joists also hang from a flush beam at the far end, double it.
The nail the hanger maker specifies — for Simpson's LUS hangers that is a 0.148 × 3 in (10d common) nail, or their SD connector screws. Don't use drywall screws, deck screws or roofing nails: they aren't rated for the shear load.
Every hole the schedule lists. Simpson's LUS26 (2x6) takes 4 header nails and 4 joist nails; LUS28 (2x8) 6 and 4; LUS210 (2x10) 8 and 4; LUS24 (2x4) 4 and 2.
They can provide the lateral restraint at the joist end. The 2021 IRC (R507.6.2) accepts joist hangers or blocking for end restraint where their depth is at least 60 percent of the joist depth.
A hanger made for a single 2x8 — in Simpson's face-mount line, the LUS28. Doubled joists need a double hanger sized for 3 in of lumber, such as the LUS28-2.
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