Steel H Beam Needed For Outdoor Deck
Hmmm...let me see if I have this correct. You’re using 14’ long joists with a 2’ overhang. So, that means your deck is 12’ wide and half that distance (6’) will be transferred back to the house and the other 6’ plus the overhang (2’) will bear on the steel beam.
So the total load is 6’ + 2’ = 8’ x 50 psf = 400 plf on the steel beam.
The smallest steel beam I have in my steel manual is a 10” x 4 3/8” I-Beam which will carry 19,500 lbs. per foot on a 20’ span.
As an option, you could use a 4x16, or a 6x14 SPF Select Structural grade wood beam spanning 20’.
Another option would be LVL beam that is 2 plies of 1 3/4” x 11 7/8” high will support 400 plf for a 20’ span.
The steel beam will weigh about 25.4 plf , a 4x16 cut timber will weigh about 14.8 plf , 6x14 will weigh about 19.6 plf and the LVL will weigh about 11.0 plf.
As you can see, the wood beam options will be lighter and easier to manipulate. Plus, there are ready made connectors for posts, etc.