Term of the Week - Cantilevered

This term is typically used to described decks, balconies and staircases and can also be referred to as 'floating'. These structures

or building elements, appear as if they require vertical supports, when structurally, they do not. The structural load and

calculations are usually predetermined prior to installation. 

While they provoke appealing curiosity for the observer, they typically produce the opposite effect for Structural Engineers and Home Inspectors trying to determine their safety and proper installation!