What is the right way to mount a support column to a deck and to a header?

Question

Situation: I have an existing deck with a roof overhang. I'm in the process of planning a rebuild and need to detail how the columns will A: attach to the existing roof and B: to the deck. I can find a ton of information about how to build a deck, but very little about columns.

Details: The columns that are/were (one just fell off) currently in place do not appear to be structural. Referring to the diagram I included, an example column can be seen on the right hand side. The narrower top portion is partially solid, and the bottom part is completely hollow. The existing columns are toenailed into the header, and the bottom parts are nailed into the deck frame. Presently the deck has no footers to speak of, but I plan to add some, and place the columns on the deck above the corner posts.

Answer 1

Use a 8" x 4" x 1/2" Steel Angled Deck Bracket: (the same thing that should be supporting 'B')

_Menards

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cityofchicago.org deck code, page listed as 25:

Answer 2

If you're rebuilding, can you plan it so the posts go all the way from the footer to the existing roof? It's probably easier and maybe cheaper all around that way, and far stronger.

The attachment to the roof above would probably be best handled by a piece of specialty hardware, the exact type would depend on the details of the roof corner, something from Simpson Strong Tie or etc.

Answer 3

In areas with little or no seismic activity, or no high wind lift, it can be toenailed in at the top and bottom with 4 12D galvanized nails on each end. 8 toenails, 2 on each face is cool too, but I feel it is overkill.

In other areas, you will need to use post clips of one sort or another similar to that you already have illustrated elsewhere in your sketch. There are a number of types that will work.

If at all possible, fasten the post at the bottom to the framing, not the decking, and cut the decking around the post.