Replace An Old Deck With Composite Decking

What To Do With A Graying Wood Deck

That’s usually an effective way to avoid prolonged moisture exposure for your deck. When all your joists are in , you can begin your decking. Many people think the selection of the width of the board is purely cosmetic or a function of price. However, the width of the board is crucial where dimensional stability is needed. The more narrow the decking board, the less it will move and the less it will cup. This is why in boat decking construction and flooring you will typically see a nominal 3 (actual 2.5”) or nominal 4 (actual 3.5”) wide deck board being used.

Hide Composite Ends

Again, treat the material just like you would soft pine. You can make simple cross cuts in composite decking the same way you would cut any soft pine—a power circular saw will work fine. A power miter saw can provide very accurate, straight cuts, and a table saw with support extensions can make all types of cutting easier. Carbide tipped blades are suggested—the fewer teeth the better for smooth cuts. Don’t allow blades to get overly hot when cutting as this can cause cuts to be warped or wavy. Run-of-the-mill boards start at $4 per square foot, while the premium products that closely resemble tropical wood run up to $7.20 per square foot. TOH explains everything you need to know about this wood alternative, including how to choose the best boards, compare costs, as well as install and clean them.

Build Decks Using Composite And Other Low

My favorite type of wood is ACQ Spruce for its strength; however it is not the most visually appealing. Countersink the screws but no deeper than the screw’s head. Besides creating a rougher finish, deep countersinking can reduce the effectiveness of the fastener and void the warranty.

Over time, wood decks inevitably show signs of aging such as warping, cracking and nail pops. Here are the steps you need to take to reface your deck. When it comes to fastening PVC or composite decking, all three of our pros like the Cortex concealed fastening system. Your deck will look better and you’ll avoid the frustration of trying to splice the decking over joists. Rolling butyl tape over the top of the joists will add years to your deck’s framing. Two places our pros often see deterioration are along the top edge, where the decking traps moisture, and between two joists sandwiched together. Most PVC and composite products aren’t as rigid as wood, so they don’t bridge imperfections in the framing as well.

How To Fasten Composites Down

An under-deck ceiling system provides an all-in-one drainage and finished ceiling. These ceiling systems often use corrugated plastic or aluminum panels to catch the water that drains through decking material and channels it away from the area below. Whenever it rains or snows, water will drip — or pour — through the space between your deck boards.

Most deck joists are centered 16 inches apart, which is the maximum deck joist spacing for most low-maintenance decking. One way to support the perimeter boards is to add an extra joist 5-1/2-in. away from the outside joist and then install a 2x6 on its side between the two joists. Many PVC and Trex composite decking products are not the same color all the way through, so you’ll want to cover the ends.

How To Lay Decking Joists