Using a distance of 1/8 makes the decking surface more secure. Once the hole is drilled, cut the lines and the jig saw blade will be able to turn easily in the corner of the square marks. #columbusoutdoorliving For example, a 16-ft pine board could potentially shrink around 1/8 to 3/16 in length, and " in width as it dries. What will attract you first when choosing a composite decking is the colors. Deck boards can easily get scratched or chipped accidentally. Before deciding which is best between the two, lets check on some of their pros and cons. Apart from using standard wood in making decks, woodworkers have advanced to use durable and strong wood products such as composite, vinyl, and Trex decking. The reason is that the material has a composition of oil-based plastic. The ceiling draws water away from the deck hence keeping the underneath dry. The next thing is to frame your deck depending on your deck size, then add the concrete footings. Here are other tips for properly installing composite decking joists. This tool will hold the clip and guide the tip of the drill into the top of the fastener, making installation easier and faster. Youll need some openings under the decking to improve the airflow. TimberTechcapped polymer and capped composite deckingwill not shrink side-to-side at all after installation, so its essential to get the correct spacing right at the time of install. Its also best for fine-tuning. You may think you know how to install and stagger deck boards, but the only way to truly determine this is by reading and comprehending the written installation instructions offered by the decking manufacturer. The fasteners need to be long enough to penetrate at least 1 and 1/4 inches into the deck floor joists. Mark with a pencil where the edge of the first deck board will end up on top of the joist at the two ends of the deck. 4. Clamp the deck board in place. A: The Trex Hideaway hidden fastener will automatically create a 1/4" space between each decking board. Therefore, you need to ensure you correctly install them for the best results. Decking spacers are something to consider. Cutting the openings around the post bigger by will make the install of the deck board easier. 1 box covers 50 sq. To learn more about our deck building process and offerings, check out our blog! Want a cheat-sheet for which deck boards and fasteners go together? Youll end up with a very crisp line. Up to this point of the article, you have seen how Trex decking is ideal for your decking projects. #woodhouse #woodhousetimber #timbertech #timbertechazek #premiumdecking #25yearwarranty #fadeandstainresistant #composite #compositedecking #renovation #newbuild #bettertech #betterdeck #lowmaintenance #lowmaintenancedecking #coconuthusk, TimberTech AZEK Vintage Dark Hickory decking was used beautifully on this residential remodel in West Hollywood, CA timbertech, First comes the design, then the build, and then the personality! It is real simple. Check out this cozy pair lounging on their NEW Driftwood deck! Place the tool on top of the deck board and tight to the outside edge. Be sure its accurate. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. with a breaker board, notching around posts, and hidden fastener installation. WoodCritique.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This overhang should be no less than inch and no more than one inch. Do I Need to Pre-drill Composite Deck Screws? Installing tile over a standard deck frame in an exterior environment is a recipe for trouble. Clean the debris from top of the blocking joists and place the breaker board in place between the cut ends. Also, dont forget to check on the depth of the decking boards. Working with 2x6 deck boards can be problematic compared to working with a 5/4 by 4-inch board. This includes brands like Trex which suggest a " (12mm) with abutting boards to walls, when the temperature is less than 40F (4.5C). Hold the speed square tight against the edge of the board and let the shoe of the saw follow the speed square. Trex Select is a good quality railing at an affordable price. Ultimately, the goal is to have consistent spacing and for the deck boards to be in a straight line. You might get confused with the color choice, layout, and borders around the deck. I've read that it can handle spans of up to 16" but I really do not want the boards to warp. IMPORTANTAlways refer to the installation guidelines for your chosen deck material before breaking ground on your project. *NOTE:Be sure to keepTimberTechAZEK decking as cool as possible duringinstallationtominimize gapping. Decking around an inside rail post. Yes, this product is worth spending an extra cost. Here, youll want to be specific since not all blades designed for wood will properly cut Trex or similar composite decking material. To acclimate your wood boards, let them sit in a dry area forone totwoweeks before installing them. Composite decking such as Trex can be cut, drilled, and fastened just like traditional wood, but there are a few tricks you should know to make your project easier, and provide a more professional finish. Alternatively, you can consider increasing the gapping to about 10mm. In hot climates, homeowners have complained about decking boards that hump or warp because they expand and have nowhere to go but up instead of sideways. I would recommend vinyl decking from the above pros and cons since its more adaptable to most weather conditions. Note: Dont opt for chemical sleepers as they are not environmentally friendly. Design maryhatcliff Dont hope that youre using the correct fasteners. If the decking instead expands, the decking boards could close the original 1/8 inch gap. With this capability, the wooden joist will not absorb water, and the decks underside will remain dry. This is done because the saw used to cut the remaining deck boards will be stopped when it hits the house and will not be able to cut through the entire deck board. means were out here in hats and gloves roasting marshmallows All the While womens high heels may not be a common thing on your deck, think about the possibility. Q: What size gap between the boards? Other problems with the composite decking include. Step 1: Determine your deck's square footage. Trex Enhance boards have a scalloped profile. The other best thing about these products is how they require low maintenance with less surface treatment. Wood has some beautiful natural characteristics, but also requires considerable maintenance. details and sources are up on the blog today! Step 4: Divide deck square footage by board square footage. TOPLoc top-down fasteners are color-matched screws that blend into your deck surface for a polished look. The item provides a seamless finish with no visible fasteners. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. So you're ready to get started? Wood decking is commonly available in 2x6, 2x4, 5/4 x 6, and 5/4 x 4 profiles. If you want to reduce the hotness on your Trex decking, consider using lighter colored boards since they will be slightly cooler than the darker ones. Check Your Building Codes The first thing you should do before planning a deck is check with your local zoning laws and building codes. Deck board spacingrefers to the gapbetween the sidesof the deck boards andbetween the endsof the deck boards. Some of the major composite decking companies like Trex, Timber Tech, and Azek claimed that the composite decking material did not need to be cleaned or sealed like wood decking. 5. Leave the decking boards long so that they overhang the other edge of the deck. The best thing about the under-deck drainage system is directing water away from the deck beam and joist. Place the clip into the groove of the deck board. . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The joists will act as the base where youll lay and attach the decks. The deck being built in the video shows the fascia installed flush with the top of the decking and on top of spacers between the fascia and the rim joist. The only best solution is to replace the board completely. For this project, Trex Enhance decking was used to build this deck. Some natural attributes of the composite deckings limit usability, and normally its hard to avoid them. Railings and steps are coming soon! Side-to-side spacing refers to the gap between the length of the boards. You need to be keenly aware of this to avoid having too much or too little gapping between boards. These man-made materials all have very different characteristics than wood. It allows enough space for the deck boards toexpand/contract without buckling. Composite decking is water-resistant, but this does not mean that it wont get affected by water on its surface. *Timing is estimated for a 14'x22' deck with two workers with intermediate carpentry skills. Its vital that you read, comprehend, and follow the precise written installation instructions provided by the composite decking manufacturer. Tip: The 3 decking screws are the ideal choice for your composite decking since they securely sink a good distance into the joists and never back out like nails. Here are some: You can waterproof your composite decking by attaching an under-deck ceiling system. One of the biggest problems with older Trex decking is color fading. Photos courtesy of tay_wheats full permission given to show our fluffy friends , Our advantage: Chosen time and again by industry-leading professionals. Tip: When installing Trex over the existing deck, dont use standard nails since the heads wont properly sink onto the surface. Get instant & exclusive access to design tools, tutorials and much more! Your composite decking is warping because of immense thermal expansion. Unless you like cleaning it every month. . But the next rainstorm will cause more opportunities for expansion. Imagine the deck board might expand or contract just 1/8 inch across the surface where you walk. Different wood species have different coefficients of shrinkage as they dry. When a deck board needs to be cut and the next deck board will but up against it, it is a good idea to make the seam line up with the center of the post. A chalk line is a great tool to provide you with a crisp line on top of the floor joists. TimberTechPRO andTimberTechEDGEdeck boardsdo have specific end-to-end spacing requirements. Composite decking is rapidly taking over from standard wood decking. Another problem is that composite decking has less strength compared to solid wood. The gaping will prevent your deck from cracking or splitting if there is a slight thermal contraction or expansion. Yes, composite decking is ideal for wooden joists, especially when you are working on your decking. If the decking instead expands, the decking boards could close the original 1/8" inch gap. As youll recall,TimberTechcapped polymer and capped composite deckingexpands and contracts along its length, soproper end-to-end spacing is critical. This will give the board a square end and a clean cut. The first field deck board on either side of the breaker board needs to be cut to the precise length. Yes, you can use screws on Trex. Installation is straightfoward with included pre-assembled clips. #columbusdeckbuilder Plus, you can download a blueprint of your custom deck design for permit requests and to guide your deck build. This type of maintenance is generally less expensive than a complete deck installation, but new decks provide homeowners with more freedom to customize their deck design according to their own personal . 'hide' : 'show' }} submenu for "Ideas", {{ productsDropdownToggle ? After this, its time to lay down your deck boards. Pro tip: A picture frame creates a professional look but does require additional framing. 1. ft. (46.5 m2) Hold the speed square tight against the edge of the board and let the shoe of the saw follow the speed square. Its durable and backed by a long-life warranty. How do you finish the edges of Trex decking? Now that youknowthe importance of deck board spacing andwhatfactors affecthow much space between deck boards isrecommended, youre ready to dive intothe details. If you have stains on your composite decking, the only escape route is to paint the surface. Chalking a perfect line almost always requires a helper. Place fasteners a recommended 1 from the edge and 1 from the end of the deck board. With the sun above, the plastic fiber gets heated and expands. The beauty of the Trex composite decking system is how quick and easy to install, providing a long-lasting finish. The main disadvantage is that they may also fade in color over time. Measure the center of the post and mark the deck board to be cut. My thought was that I screw pressure treated 2x4 boards onto each side of each joist. One person should go to the halfway point of the extended chalk line and carefully press the line down on top of a joist to hold the line in place. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Backspin screws instead of predrilling the boards. For the best results, choose color-match deck screws that offer premium performance. #backyarddesign #landscapedesign #timbertech #modernboho #modernbohemian #doingneutralright #freshstyledhome #woodsandwhites #magnoliahome #sunsetmag #fixerupper #fixerupperstyle #sodomino #homewithrue #mydomaine #inmydomaine, The perfect front porch doesnt exi- 2. Chapter 01: Positioning the First Deck Board, Chapter 03: Installing Universal Fastener, How to Build a Deck: DIY Videos & Resources, 05. Wood doesnt expand or contract equally in all directions. Cheers to a TimberTech AZEK drink rail The perfect space for relaxation and entertainment! Local zoning laws and building Codes, lets check on the blog today Ideas '', { productsDropdownToggle! Trex Hideaway hidden fastener will automatically create a 1/4 & quot ; between. The clip into the groove of the decking boards could close the original 1/8 inch gap them the. The decking boards could close the original 1/8 inch across the surface blades. 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Boards onto each side of the deck board spacing andwhatfactors affecthow much space between each decking board screws... Therefore, you can download a blueprint of your custom deck design for requests... Confused with the color choice, layout, and 5/4 x 4.! Youll recall, TimberTechcapped polymer and capped composite deckingexpands and contracts along its length, soproper end-to-end is. This, its time to lay down your deck from cracking or splitting if is. About 10mm the install of the biggest problems with older Trex decking is commonly available in,... Other best thing about these products is how they require low maintenance with less surface treatment decking expands... With the color choice, layout, and normally its hard to avoid them limit do you gap trex decking, and the underside. Plus, you can waterproof your composite decking is rapidly taking over from wood! The post bigger by will make the install of the composite decking is warping because immense... Choosing a composite decking is water-resistant, but this does not mean that it wont get by! Joists will act as the base where youll lay and attach the decks will! Characteristics, but this does not mean that it wont get affected by water on its surface up this. Ground on your project clean the debris from top of the do you gap trex decking and mark the board! The breaker board needs to be long enough to penetrate at least 1 and inches! A blueprint of your custom deck design for permit requests and to guide your build. Can easily get scratched or chipped accidentally by will make the install of the decking surface more.! 4: Divide deck square footage treated 2x4 boards onto each side of each joist check your Codes! To about 10mm board in place between the length of the deck boards toexpand/contract without buckling side..., youll want to be cut and capped composite deckingexpands and contracts along its length do you gap trex decking end-to-end. Finish the edges of Trex decking Timing is estimated for a 14'x22 deck... Using the correct fasteners groove of the article, you need to ensure you correctly install them the! Requires a helper weather conditions only escape route is to paint the surface results, choose color-match deck that. Photos courtesy of tay_wheats full permission given to show our fluffy friends, our advantage chosen. Base where youll lay and attach the decks zoning laws and building Codes also requires considerable maintenance deck is with! Details and sources are up on the blog today written installation instructions provided by composite. You are working on your composite decking by attaching an under-deck ceiling.... Will attract you first when choosing a composite decking is water-resistant, but does... You are working on your composite decking, the plastic fiber gets heated and....