Table of Contents
The main thing to know is how to place the deck boards properly. This then leads us to the most debated question about installing deck boards: crown up or down. The direction affects how the boards shape over time – cupping or crowning. Deck boards should crown up – bark side down.
What direction do you lay decking boards?
What is the correct way to lay decking? Any decking board manufacturer or professional will tell you: “The proper way to install a decking board is ridge side down.” The ridges are designed to allow for airflow, to stop moisture sitting in the ridge, and allow for a stronger structure.
Should deck boards be parallel or perpendicular to house?
Decking running parallel to the house makes the deck look wider and blends the deck into the house. If the decking runs perpendicular, the deck looks long and extending far out, away from the house.
Should deck boards be bark side up or down?
“Bark side down” orients the board so the end grain growth rings curve upward. This creates a crowning warp when wet. As a result, water is shed from the board, as opposed to pooling on it. Also, the exposed board face is heartwood (closer to the tree’s center) versus sapwood, and heartwood is more decay-resistant.
Does it matter which way deck boards run?
You will no longer be able to install the decking parallel to the house because the decking must run over the tops of the joists for support. You will need to either install your decking in the opposite direction of the joists or install the decking at a 45-degree angle.
Should deck boards be installed crown up or down?
Crown up is the preferred installation method, despite the potential for bark side down deck boards to experience shelling. Bark side down allows for the formation of a crown warp. Once the board forms a crown, there’s less potential for the wood to hold water, which could lead to the wood splintering and rotting.
Should you stagger deck boards?
Staggering the deck boards decreases the number of screws or nails going into one joist, which can weaken or rot the joist more quickly. Staggering the joints strengthens the deck by spreading the seams across more joists instead of placing the stress on only one.
What should you not do when building a deck?
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Deck Poor planning. Building a deck takes a lot of planning. Improper footers. Every structure is only as good as its foundation. Wrong materials. Improperly installed ledger boards. Not following manufacturers’ instructions.
What is the recommended spacing for deck boards?
Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink. Deck spacing isn’t anything to take lightly.
How should I stagger my deck boards?
A common method for staggering a deck is to start the first row with a full plank, then cut one-third of the next row’s first board off the end. The row after that has an additional one-third cut off and then repeat when you get back to a full board.
Do deck boards need to end on joist?
All deck board should end on a joist, making sure to stagger deck board ends. While laying deck boards might seem easy and quick, you’ll want to take your time and do it right. One small mistake could result in you having to remove all the deck boards later to fix that extra-wide gap or crooked deck board.
What is the correct slope for a deck?
Most contractors suggest sloping the deck 1/4th- 1/8th of an inch for every foot of decking. With this slope, the difference isn’t terribly noticeable to those standing on the surface but your chance of ponding is reduced greatly.
Should a deck be level or sloped?
What slope should a deck have? The answer is it depends if the deck is solid or not. A solid deck needs to be sloped between a 1/8″ (3mm) and ¼” (6mm) per foot to encourage water drainage. Decks with properly gapped decking boards require no slope as rain will naturally run off the boards even when level.
Do all decks need beams?
Beams are a crucial part of any deck, so it’s imperative that they’re properly installed. A beam runs across the posts, parallel to the ledger, and supports the joists. A cantilevered front edge on the deck helps hide the beam unless you’re building a raised deck.
Is it okay to flip deck boards?
Flipping deck boards is a waste of time and energy. The reason for this is that if your composite deck boards are rotting on the surface chances are its even worse on the underside of the board.
Can you flip deck board?
The front of our deck was fairly simple because the boards were all the same length (no staggered boards) and did not require any cutting – – simply flipped them. Flip, Cut as needed, and Screw the Board in Place: It is essential that the ends of each deck board end on a joist.
