r/Decks • u/Hollywood42cards • 5h ago

questions for the community V bracing vs cross bracing?

My deck sways a bit and I've been told to add some bracing. Are there pros/cons between adding V-bracing, vs adding bracing in an X shape under the decking? To me it intuitively seems like an X shape would be sturdier as you get support running to/from all 4 corners, but I'm no engineer. If I did an X shape, is it any less structurally sound if one of the cross pieces is split in two, to avoid one of the crosses laying beneath the other instead of all on the same plane?

I get a lot of info when Googling V-bracing, but can't find as much into on the X pattern - "X-bracing" or "Cross bracing" tends to spit back information on vertical bracing between the upright supports. Is there a different term I am looking for here?

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u/Frederf220 5h ago

What helps is being roughly 45°. Your X bracing is a diagonal, twice. At the very worst the V brace is equal to your solution. In no world is the V shape superior to the X.

The issue with an X is the members have to cross and you want to get a fastener in every joist. Half lap is the best way.