Glenn Mathewson

Veneers represent a huge cantilever for fasteners to bridge

The IRC is a thick book, but there is relatively little aimed at decks. A few sections have a few sentences dedicated to construction of safe and durable decks.

The days of staggering bolts every 16 inches or so are over—especially if you want to step down to the deck.

The non-structural requirements are pretty simple for guard rails: if there's a fall hazard, make a guard, and keep it such that it will actually stop people from falling.