Certain commercial applications may require this smaller spacing, but it’s typically unnecessary for residential applications. Spacing Between Composite Deck Boards As Well Of Trex With Gap Plus within dimensions 2048 X 1536. As an Amazon Associate, HomeTips earns from qualifying purchases which allows us to continue creating helpful DIY content. Composite decking tends to grow and shrink across the length of the boards as it heats and cools. If you choose grooved Transcend for your deck, you have the option of using the exclusive Trex Secret Fix System. Complete your yard with our framing, railing, & lighting. This will increase the longevity of the deck … Expert advice on how to install and work with TREX and other composite decking materials, how to cut and fasten TREX, and framing for composite decking. No spacing is required between ends of boards. A hand coping saw will work well to smooth finished edges if needed. First, it allows for proper drainage and keeps the deck cleaner, safer, and less prone to moisture problems. Q: How do I use the Trex Groove Cutter to route non-grooved deck boards? For families with young children, these synthetic boards have the additional advantage of being splinter-free. If you do have to rip, put the rough, exposed cut side where flaws will be least noticeable.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'hometips_com-box-4','ezslot_0',602,'0','0'])); If installing the decking around an existing structure, a simple router can be used to make curved cuts. 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. When building your deck and railing, it is recommended that pressure treated wood be used as the framing and floor joists. Two places our … Typical spacing for KD / Kiln Dried Decking is 1/4" for 6" boards and 3/16" for 4" boards. If you're building a deck, dock or seawall anywhere near water, come talk to us. If you’re not satisfied with the color choices, or if you would like your deck to match your house, most products can be stained or painted, as specified by the manufacturer. As temperatures fluctuate, composite deck boards will naturally experience thermal expansion and contraction. The majority of composite deck board brands including Trex, TimberTech, and more require deck joists spacing to be at 16 inches O.C. Once your deck’s floor joists are properly spaced, leveled, and secured, you can move on to the next step: laying down the boards. Trex and several other manufacturers, including Weyerhauser and TimberTech, combine landfill-bound plastic, wood scrap, and sawdust into low-maintenance outdoor materials that imitate the look of wood somewhat convincingly but are far superior to natural wood in their ability to stand-up against the damaging effects of sun, rain, salt air, and insects. Perhaps the most serious limiting factor is cost. If you’ve ever wondered what becomes of your recycled grocery bags, check out your neighbor’s deck—it might be made of them. Discover … So, when would you ever need to use 12 inches OC? Run String Lines to Ensure All Joists Are Level & In Plane. On the downside, composite decking is susceptible to stains (especially grease stains) and may fade over time. If the joists are not all the same exact height, the deck’s surface will be uneven. What’s really necessary? amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Your composite decking manufacturer will have a unique joist span table to help you determine the maximum length based on joist size and spacing. In general, first an aluminum or vinyl track is installed across the joists, and then top pieces are snapped into place. Installation differs as well. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto"; Though common wood screws might seem like they would work as well, they tend to “mushroom,” or bore out the holes rather than set into the material. For installations where deck boards are butted end-to-end at the joist, we recommend adding an 8" block and using a Veranda hidden fastener clip at the end of each board. and three-sixteenths of an inch (3/16 in.). Some may fade more than others. Protect Joists From Rot. 1 Box covers 50 square feet and 1 Bucket can cover 500 square feet. Unlike other deck boards, WearDeck resists stains from harsh substances like sunscreen and red wine. A tell-tale sign of a potential problem with the ledger board attachment is the … HomeTips articles may contain links to Amazon.com and other partner programs that provide helpful products and services. Some brands, like WearDeck, let you get away with more – reinforced with a layer of fiberglass on both the top and bottom, WearDeck boards easily allow for spans of 24 inches OC. Composite decking cannot be used as structural material. Composite decking won’t rot or splinter (an extra bonus for bare feet). Pressure-treated lumber is typically installed without a gap since the boards will shrink when they dry, creating the appropriate spacing. Your deck can begin to fail prematurely if the framing is weak. Spacing and Layout. In pursuit of the perfect deck, all Trex ® decking lines come with a hidden installation option. Pre-drilling pilot holes can prevent this from happening and make installation go much faster and smoother. December 2, 2020 Uncategorized. Decks & Docks Lumber Company supplies the marine construction industry across Florida and the southeast U.S. Material required for each section in SF, LF and BF will be listed. Find Trex composite deck boards at Lowe's today. TimberTech PRO™ and TimberTech EDGE™ boards must be a minimum of 1/8” to a maximum of 3/16” deck board spacing. I am about to replace the 8 year old rotted treated boards with composite like the others and caulk it too. ®HIDDEN FASTENING SYSTEM Installing Angled Deck Boards in Corners ALWAYS start in cornerwith a small triangular piece of decking at 45° and work outwards. You should have an implement handy, such as a … amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = "2619525011,1055398,2972638011,228013"; The Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners automatically measure the 6mm gap between grooved edge boards but you must still ensure the 6mm gap with the square edge boards. However, if you space your joists too close together, it will be difficult to install supporting elements such as joist hangers, blocking, and flashing. Without the right deck spacing, the boards may expand, cup, and buckle out of place. Again, treat the material just like you would soft pine. Q: What size gap between the boards? Spacing on a deck refers to the small edge-to-edge gap between decking boards, not the ends of the boards. He appeared for 3 seasons on HGTV’s “The Fix,” and served as MSN’s home expert for several years. amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {"type":"search","value":"cutoff saw"}; New styles also have fire prevention technology incorporated into the composite, which reduces the risk of house fire during cookouts and makes them less of a fire hazard where wild fires can be a threat. This wood is protected against the elements and insects and will provide a solid support for your decking material. Be sure to check with the manufacturers instructions when planning the substructure of your composite deck—proper sizing and spacing of beams and joists is essential.amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; At the same time, local building code requirements have also become stricter. One of the most critical steps for properly securing composite decking in place is to make sure you have a 1/4-inch to 3/16-inch gap between the decking boards (don’t exceed 1/2 inch). Wider gaps permit more airflow, which feeds fire, and it also more likely to catch embers. Join us to get great money-saving tips, cool ideas, and valuable advice from home improvement expert Don Vandervort! A clean cut should not leave any loose material, but if you need to clean up an edge, do not use a sander. Composite decking can mimic the look of natural wood. Having appropriate spacing for your deck is important to allow for everything to expand and contract when the temperature fluctuates. Decking manufacturers may recommend anywhere between 12 and 16 inches for commercial decks and 12 to 24 inches for residential decks. Instead of pilot holes, some manufacturers suggest drilling a starter hole about 1/8 inch deep into the material. The distance between two deck joists is measured in inches “on center”, commonly abbreviated as “OC”. In this guide, we’ll go over the proper joist spacing for composite decking as well as some common installation mistakes you should avoid. Ripping a composite board (cutting lengthwise) is trickier. More than 70 percent of recycled plastic bags (over 1.5 billion of them!) Besides creating a rougher finish, deep countersinking can reduce the effectiveness of the fastener and void the warranty. Because it's not addressed in the codes, screw spacing is inconsequential. Extra spacing is also important between board ends and where boards meet a wall when decking runs perpendicular to the wall. 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