how to lay decking

In most cases, it’s best to start with a full board on the outside edge of the deck and work toward the house so the odd board is less visible. If building over a timber substructure, you should consider using, California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. Snap chalk line across deck boards. Start the holes about 1/2 in. Pull back on the chisel until the deck board is tight to your spacer and drive the nails. Even nails can cause splitting, especially near the ends of boards. Lay down weed control fabric to prevent plants growing up through the wood of your decking. This only works if you’re letting the ends of the boards run long and cutting them off later. Start the nail. Then, when you’re ready to dig into how to lay your garden decking, refer to our, Trex can be installed over timber, steel or aluminum substructures with joist centers at a maximum of 400mm apart. Having attached all the joists, finish up the deck by installing the decking material. They’re always supplied with extra length, so you can clean cut both ends and still have the size you need. Continue gluing and nailing until the deck is complete. That way, if the guide is positioned incorrectly, you’ll notice the mistake before it’s too late. This type of screw does a pretty good job of drilling through rather than splitting the wood. Remove the plywood for the last blow. TIP: Decking laid at right angles to … You can easily spot when a board is off. They tend to push the wood fibers apart rather than tear through them like nails. Whether we’re talking about decking balustrades or our high performance composite, convenience is the cornerstone of every Trex product. To install last plank, used end nippers to remove the spikes from one side of hidden fasteners. Measure the amount that will need to be cut out and then make the cut into the board. Lay your deck boards. But the downside is that if you miss the nailhead, you’ll leave a deep “elephant track” in the decking. Drive a toenail into the edge of the board for an extra boost. Snap the cutting line on the deck. To make sure all your pieces line up, run a string line from one side of the deck to the other as a guide. Set the first board along a chalk line to start straight. This Deck-a-Floor system is so neat; it is like putting a puzzle together. Make sure that the deck board is in the opposite direction to the inner joists and flush to the frame. Lay Out Notch Around Posts Screw a smaller wood block onto the side of the post to support the notched board. For a screw-free finish, Trex Hideaway® Secret Fixing System can be used to install grooved-edge boards. Occasionally you’ll run into boards that are too crooked to bend easily by hand. Trex can be installed over timber, steel or aluminum substructures with joist centers at a maximum of 400mm apart. from the end of the board. At outer end of deck, notch the decking, as necessary, to fit around the railing posts. Run your saw along the straightedge to cut off the boards. Install last plank with composite decking screws. Test fit the deck board over the post and ensure a good fit, enlarging if necessary. Every Trex board is unique. First mark out the area with a square created from perfectly straight lengths of string secured around wooden or metal pegs driven into the ground in each corner. As the wood dries, it will shrink, leaving a small gap between each board. Start by running a mason’s line parallel to the house first. Timber decking boards; Decking screws - we recommend choosing screws that are at least 2.5 times longer than the surface they'll be secured to (the deck boards). Install Decking Material. It allows you to concentrate on nailing without worrying about denting the deck boards. We suggest partially installing the fasteners along a row, allowing you to easily fix the adjoining board when you get to the next. All deck board should end on a joist, making sure to stagger deck board ends. For a neat finish, we recommend trimming boards on both ends at a minimum of 5mm. Next, learn how to choose the best deck finish here. Remember that the space between the decking supports vary with the decking dimensions, material and pattern. Lay and nail the next deck board as before. Explore the six simple steps below to understand the basics. Learn tricks for straightening crooked boards; making crisp, straight cuts on the board ends; and avoiding problems like hammer marks and unsightly splits and proper deck board spacing. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. It's a fairly simple project and the cost is reasonable ($3 to $6 per sq. Even if I’m using a straightedge guide, I like to snap a chalk line as an extra precaution. If necessary, bend the guide board until the measurement is the same and screw down the center. Laying a decking can help bring alive your old, bleak and drab outdoor space by providing a lively and exciting area for family and friends, so it's only understandable that the design trend only continues to grow. Then, slide the groove of the next board into the clips and tighten with a rubber mallet. Look for screws with self-drilling points. Building a deck? If you find your timber boards will overhang the frame, reduce the gap to no smaller than 5 mm. ft.), but expect a weekend or two of hard labor. What does it take to install a deck? “Splitless” ring-shank nails work well but can bend and break, especially near knots. Start by laying the first piece of decking hard up against the wall. Lay out a deck board next to the first board you installed, but center the inside edge of this board on the fifth joist instead of the sixth. Avoid this problem by predrilling a hole the size of the nail shank. Tips for Installing the Sleeper System. Cover the patio with a thin layer of sand, lay pavers over it, and the results look like a standard paver patio. Then run perpendicular lines to complete the perimeter, crossing the mason’s line at the corners. To lay timber deck boards. When nailing into the end of deck boards, Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Drill pilot holes for screws at board ends so the wood doesn’t split later. Dig down to around 50mm - making sure the ground level is even all around. If you install the same decking, buy this time diagonally, the distance between the joists should be 16”. Watch a video on how to install decking. Mark that distance from the line and screw down a straight board. Orient the deck boards so the growth rings in the end grain have the arc facing up. Each board should have a ⅛” gap. A few extra whacks will nudge the board into position. Our sponsors. Consequently, if you install perpendicular 2×4 Douglas fir decking, the span should be 24”. The last board won’t look good if it’s skinny or cut at an angle. (Add more nails only if a board does not lie straight or flat.) Get the latest news, expert advice and product inspiration straight to your inbox. A better approach is to let the deck boards run wild as shown in the photo. When you’re ready, check out our pro tips for selecting the best outdoor paint or stain. Square the corners using the 3,4,5 method. Whether we’re talking about decking balustrades or our high performance composite, convenience is the cornerstone of every Trex product. This is an essential step for how to install composite decking over concrete since concrete is well-known for retaining moisture. Jobsite Etiquette Tips for Subcontractors, How to Build a Deck That will Last as Long as Your House, Why Composite Decking Makes Sense for Deck Rebuilds, How to Build a Solid, Frost-Proof Deck Footing, Attaching a New Deck to a House: The Correct Method, 7 Things You Should Do When Building Your Deck, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, 13 Steps on How to Use a Fireplace Safely, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. If you plan to use screws, try these solutions. Once you have identified your decking site, you should – Fix pegs in the ground, marking out the corners of your deck. Even with drill-point screws, I’d recommend predrilling the ends of boards, which are prone to splitting. Mark a cutting line for the end of the first board and cut it to fit making sure … Then slip a small square of 1/4-in. On top of the grids, you place the clip-in accessories according to the instructions. Then measure from the edge of your saw blade to the edge of your saw’s base. Mitre and lay the decking planks for the steps and fix in place with two screws at every joist. We recommend our users to update the browser. Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list. Use your straightest deck board and lay it first across the deck’s front edge, opposite your house. Align the first row with the chalk line and nail or screw the boards to the joists. wood chisel into the joist and tight to the edge of the deck board with the bevel facing you. Replace the house's siding to within ½ to 1 inch of the decking. Then pull or push the bent end against the spacers as you work down the length of the board. Use pegs and string to set out the deck perimeter. Learn the basics of measuring, scoping and installing your decking and railing, and go from dream to do. The sleeper system’s joists need to be at least 1-1/2 inches in both height and width to allow for effective ventilation. Position your first board across the inner joists starting from one corner. The slight changes in deck board spacing won’t be noticeable in the finished deck. To begin installation, start by squaring up the first piece of composite to the deck and attaching it to the underlying joists with composite decking screws (Image 1). Then use spacers at each joist to keep the gap between boards consistent and to keep the boards running straight. Lay the decking on the grass in your decided design and leave the right expansion gaps between boards (5 to 8 mm along the length of timber boards, and 3 mm along the ends). Use a 1/4-in. By choosing your country, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy's Policy, Whether we’re talking about decking balustrades or our high performance composite, convenience is the cornerstone of every Trex product. Most deck boards are relatively straight and easy to lay, but there are always a few that need a little extra coaxing. Line up the seams over double joists. Cutting the ends of deck boards as you go not only takes longer, but it’s harder to get a crisp, straight line. We describe how to lay out and fasten deck boards to the deck floor joist structure and how to decide on the appropriate deck board gap. Explore the six simple steps below to understand the basics. Within these dimensions, clear away all rocks, weeds & vegetation. Allow the extra wood to dangle over the rim joist. plywood over the nail and swing away. If building over a timber substructure, you should consider using Trex®Protect™ self-adhesive butyl tape to prevent moisture damage. Tip: Sight down and straighten outside joists before nailing deck boards to them. You can then revisit a row to tighten things up when several rows are installed. Choices of deck board fastener types and methods include nails, screws, clips, and a wide variety of hidden deck board fastener systems that we describe here as well. Finally, screw decking panels to the front face of the step to create a neat finish. Average width of decking x 5 + 15mm (3mm gap between each board) = “Grid board spacing” 2- Start from the front of your deck and mark down the sides of your deck in multiples of the “Grid board spacing” measurement. Measure an equal distance in from each end of the deck, allowing for an overhang (if desired), and snap a chalk line as a guide for the first row of decking. Blunt the tip of a nail with your hammer to help avoid splits. Then sight down the boards occasionally to make sure they’re staying straight. They should be no more than 25mm from the end of the board. Measure to the house at both ends and in the center when you get within about 5 ft. of the wall. For best results, choose a bit size that allows the screw threads to slide through the hole without catching. Position the board so it bends away from installing decking. The photos here show three of our favorite tricks for straightening these stubborn boards. A perfect choice for any decking material from pressure-treated lumber, hardwoods, and cedar to composite and PVC deck boards; the angled gives your new build or deck remodel a whole new depth. This finishing touch is now available to match every Trex decking option—so whatever you choose, we’ve got you covered. Straighten a crooked board by slipping a pipe clamp across the end and gradually tightening it as you add nails. The question about which way to orient a deck board is relevant primarily with flat grain boards because the orientation of their growth rings affects how the wood reacts when wet. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. Measure an equal distance in from each end of the deck, allowing for an overhang (if desired), and snap a chalk line as a guide for the first row of decking. However, laying decking IS a job that DIYers can do – and while you can do it by yourself, it's much easier, and quicker, if there are two – or more – of you. Start nails into the deck board. Just like that, you’re installed—with decking handrails and balustrade next on the list. Even boards that look good initially can get little “cat’s-eye” splits later as the wood dries. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. While laying deck boards might seem easy and quick, you’ll want to take your time and do it right. Another trick is to blunt the tip of the nail with your hammer before pounding it in. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Then measure the distance from the line to the straightedge in the center to make sure it’s the same as the end measurements. Nails are easier to drive if you take a full swing. The nail will punch through the wood rather than wedging it apart. Then, when you’re ready to dig into how to lay your garden decking, refer to our Installation Guide. A concrete slab provides a firm, stable base for pavers. This is because the wood will be sitting directly on the ground, which means that it is in constant contact with the water in the soil. You can peg the fabric or weigh it down with concrete or paving slabs. Use a builder’s line or string to attach the pegs and mark out the square dimensions of your structure. Ground level decking is also often the cheapest type of decking to install due to its popularity. But sight down your boards occasionally as well. Deck Installation Guide. Lay the longest span, which is the one that extends from one corner of the deck to the diagonal opposite corner, first. Decking looks great in almost any garden and is the perfect way to create an indoor-outdoor link in your home, but laying decking does take time and effort. Lay out the deck perimeter using batter boards and mason’s line. Then clear all turf and vegetation from the area and firm down the ground beneath. Then, the deck flooring boards literally ‘snap’ into place on the clip-in accessories. To ensure the best variety of colour tones, mix and match all boards in the most visually appealing way prior to installation. In the case of a deck board, this determines whether you have a "cup" warp (concave surface) or a "crown" warp (convex surface). Used with permission; all rights reserved. Photos © 2020 Scripps Networks, LLC. And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a TrexPro® to build a deck for you. Garden decking is a common feature in many outdoor living spaces. Should you use screws or nails for deck? Screws are notorious for splitting deck boards. Then, when you’re ready to dig into how to lay your garden decking, refer to our Installation Guide. And if laying Grassedeck boards, opt for green-coated decking screws to … To install composite decking with a hidden fastening system, start at the house by face-screwing the first board. Next, learn how to choose the best deck finish here. Sixteen-penny nails are about the right size for spacing between deck boards. Since you can’t saw right up to a wall or other obstruction, make sure to precut these boards to the right length first. To lay a deck this way, joist have to be set no wider than 300mm apart, so you may need one or two more joists extra.

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