Generally, 1x4 and 1x6 decking can be installed with joists on 16” centers. 5/4x4 and 5/4x6 decking can be installed with joists on 24” centers. When installing on an angle, joist spacing should be on 12” centers. Final joist spacing should only be determined after consulting local building codes.
Should I use 1x or 2x decking for my Deck?
1X stock is fine if you have 16 inch on center joists, and the joists are themselves sized properly. Using 2X stock over undersized joists does help make the deck feel more solid. If you have 24 OC joists, I'd definitely stay with the 2X decking.
How thick is a 4/4 wood deck?
Nominal Thickness: Actual Thickness What You Need to Know “Four-Quarter” or “1x” or “4/4” E.g.1 x 4, 1 x 5, 1 x 6, 4/4 x 6: 3/4” to 13/16” This varies a bit for different wood products companies. Robi Decking’s nominal 4/4 or 1 x products are actually 13/16” thick for a bit of extra strength. “Five-Quarter” or “5/4”
Can I use pressure treated one-by decking instead of 5/4?
Regardless, run a floating rail down the center and screw each deck board to it with two screws. This will spread the load to adjacent deck boards and prevent most of your flex. The bottom line is that pressure-treated one-by boards are probably more expensive than PT 5/4 decking anyway.
What size deck board do I need for a 24-inch deck?
It’s better to build a deck that is strong than bouncy and unstable. Don’t use a board any smaller than what is recommended for that spacing for that species. So, for 24 o.c. if you use cedar, it can’t be smaller than a 2x6, Hemlock, can’t be smaller than 5/4x6.
Which is better: Five-quarter or Two-by decking?
Is pressure treated decking more expensive than PT 5/4?
Is a 1x4 board a good span?
Can 1x4s hold 200 lbs?
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Can you use 1 inch boards for decking?
For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s. The 5/4 decking (pronounced "five-quarter"), available in cedar and pressure-treated fir, is 1 inch thick and 5-1/2 inches wide with rounded edges that make for a splinter-free surface.
What thickness should deck boards be?
Common deck board thickness. The most commonly used thickness for deck construction is 1-1/4”. But you can also get boards 2” thick, while there are boards only ¾” thick. It depends on the material, how flexible it is, and its hardness rate.
How much weight can 1x4 hold?
per square foot...just 200 lbs. for a 1x4 or 1x6. ) Also, all grading rules allow some “non-compliant” material to be included. So, if you choose one of those boards, they will fail.
Can I use regular lumber for a deck?
Both pine and standard "white wood" lumber work well for deck construction. Some pines are nearly as resistant to rot as cedar, and both of these options take paint well.
Can I use 1x6 for deck boards?
Width of material: We recommend only 1x4, 5/4x4 or narrower boards. Never use 1x6 or 5/4x6 material in close to ground applications. Spacing between boards: You must allow space for your deck boards to expand when they take on moisture, as they will inevitably do when exposed to wet weather, rain or high humidity.
How thin can deck boards be?
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DECKING BOARD THICKNESSDecking TypeActual Thickness (inches)Suggested On Center Joist Spacing (inches)Tropical Hardwoods 1x13/16”16”Thermally-Modified 5/41”16”Pressure Treated Pine 5/41”16”Western Red Cedar 5/41”16”4 more rows
Is common board strong?
It's critical to note that common board is not as strong as more expensive, treated pieces. You shouldn't try to make something that needs to hold a ton of weight. They're not as durable as hardwoods, such as walnut or birch.
Are 2 2x4 as strong as a 4X4?
All parameters being the same, 2 2X4s are not as strong as a 4X4 under vertical load. The actual cross sectional area of 2 2X4s is 10 ½ square inches (3”X3 ½”), while that of a 4X4 is 12 ¼ square inches (3 ½”X3 ½”) or almost 17% higher.
Is a 1x6 stronger than a 2x4?
1x6 weighs about a quarter less than 2x4, but is almost identical in strength.
Can you build a deck out of non pressure treated wood?
Yes, you can use untreated wood to build a deck, but not without preparing it first. You can't, of course, pressure treat it yourself, but you will need to seal; the wood and stain/paint it to ensure the wood is ready to take on the harsh external weather.
What type of wood should I use for a deck?
Wood Materials The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. Redwood and cedar are both naturally insect and rot resistant and have a natural look, but each has its own inherent issues.
Do I have to use pressure-treated lumber on my deck?
As long as there's a good chance that moisture can reach the wood, it should be pressure treated. This is why the International Building Code requires that siding and structural lumber used for the last six inches of the structure above the ground is pressure treated.
Should I use 2x4 or 2x6 for deck?
Most builders stick to using a minimum of 2x6s for deck floor joists. If you want to add guardrails and stairs, you need at least 2x10s. 2×4 and 2×6 joists are ideal for ground-level decks without guards.
What is the thickness of a 5 4 deck board?
Thickness. The thickness is a key difference between 5/4 and 2×6 lumber as it affects the distance they can span, also referred to as the joist spacing, and how solid they feel. A 2×6 is 1-1/2” thick whereas a 5/4 is between 1” and 1-1/16” thick.
Can I use 2x10 for decking?
There is certainly no problem using the 2x10s for any of the structural framing of the deck. Using 2x10 treated lumber for decking is another matter entirely.
Is 2x6 good for decking?
You can use 2×6 as deck joists if the deck is low enough to the ground as not to require guard railing. When using S-P-F 2×6 deck joists, the span must not be greater than 9'0″ (2.73m) with joists at 16″ o.c. (400mm), and 9'10” (3.01m)with spacing at 12″ (300mm).
Span for 1x6 t&g roof decking - JLC-Online Forums
Re: Span for 1x6 t&g roof decking Section R803 IRC, Roof Sheathing Basically, 1x with a minimum of 5/8" net thickness can span up to 24" Above that allowable span goes to different grades of 1-1/2" thick material.
Deck Beam & Header Span Table | Decks.com
The span of a beam is dependent on a few variables: The grade and species of lumber, size of lumber and the load it carries. Fewer posts on upper-level decks are typically more desirable to the occupants and this drives the use of larger framing materials for longer spans.
How much weight on 1x4 shelves - Woodwork Forums
I want to know about how about how much weight can I put on the 2nd and third shelf, the bottom shelf is on the floor. I just built some shelves that are framed with 1x4 with the 1" side up.
How Far Can Your Decking Span? No Idea? Decking Span Table Here.
How to interpret the chart. Don’t use a board any smaller than what is recommended for that spacing for that species. So, for 24 o.c. if you use cedar, it can’t be smaller than a 2x6, Hemlock, can’t be smaller than 5/4x6.
What determines the spacing of deck joists?
Your selection of decking material will determine the maximum spacing of your joists. Some wood species are stronger than others, so refer to the Decking Span Table below before going to the Deck Joist Span Table.
Is it better to build a deck with a shorter span or a longer span?
Don’t be afraid to go to use a shorter span if you are unsure. It’s better to build a deck that is strong than bouncy and unstable.
How thick is a deck board?
There is a nominal thickness and then an actual thickness. The most popular thickness for decking boards in North America is a 5/4 thickness which is an actual 1” thick. Use the table below to understand the most common board thicknesses:
What is the MOR for decking?
Sometimes referred to as bending strength, MOR is a measure of a product’s strength before it ruptures (break s).
What is joist spacing?
Joists are typically spaced out evenly for stability, ease of board installation and a clean look. Joist spacing is the distance between each joist, and are measured in inches from center-of-joist to center-of-joist. Joist spacing is typically referred to as “On-Center” or “OC”, e.g, 16” OC. The bigger the space between the joists, ...
Why are deck joists set upright?
They are set upright for strength, usually fastened to the house at one end, and sitting on top of a central support beam near the other end. Joists support the decking boards, which are fastened onto the joists from above. Joists are typically spaced out evenly for stability, ease of board installation and a clean look.
How wide should a boat deck board be?
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. In applications along the coast, over water, boardwalks over rivers, the narrower board will provide the needed dimensional stability. Where there is limited air flow under the deck or drainage issues, the narrower deck board can again prevent unwanted cupping and movement.
What is composite decking made of?
One of the most popular options for homeowners in the past 20 years has been composite decking, made of modified plastics and other materials. They made a splash in the market for their variety of colors and affordability, but over time the downsides have become more well-known.
Can you put bare feet on composite decking?
Today, many people are aware of the environmental hazards of using chemicals and plastics, as well as the heat absorption problem with composite decking — No bare feet allowed! But one of the lesser-known drawbacks is that they are very weak, and require joists to be placed very close together.
Douglas Fir for decking?
Has anyone used Douglas Fir 1x4 boards for decking? I'm building two decks, 18x16 and 8x12. My father has pushed fir since the beginning saying people have been using it for 100 years,etc. I would like to go with Mahogany but i think it will be out of my price range considering two decks.
Comments (13)
Your Father is right Doug Fir has been used that long for outside projects. Trouble is we are no longer cutting old growth now days it second growth Big differance.
What is a Trex hideaway?
Trex Hideaway Hidden Fastening System: This ¼” self-spacing connector clip with 1-5/8” screws is designed to install between Trex grooved composite decking boards. 1 Box covers 50 square feet and 1 Bucket can cover 500 square feet. There is a start clip that can be used along the house wall and at the front edge of your deck. You can purchase a groove cutter to router a slot on the side of solid composite deck board edges. This universal clip is made from glass filled nylon and is black. The clip is also designed to work with the Trex Steel Frame System. Trex Hideaway
What is a mantis deck clip?
Mantis Deck Clip System: This system manufactured by Suredrive USA and is compatible with Treated, Cedar, Redwood, Hardwoods and Composite deck boards . The mantis clip elevated the decking above the deck frame joists to allow airflow under the decking surface. Mantis clips have a black finish and are made from either powder coated aluminum or stainless steel. The clips can be installed with ballistic nail screws. Mantis deck clips are available in 3 groove heights and comes with a 30 year warranty against loose boards. This system also has start and finish clips for the outside edges of your deck. Mantis
Do pregrooved deck boards have grooves?
It is important to note that pregrooved boards do not have a standard groove size. You should verify that hidden fasteners are compatible with your choice of decking boards before ordering. Here are descriptions of the most popular hidden fastener systems. Camo Hidden Fasteners.
What is the minimum clearance for a 5/4x6 deck?
A minimum of 36” of clearance for 5/4x6 and 1x6 and 24" of clearance for 5/4x4 and 1x4 is required for adequate ventilation - leave a minimum of 50% open area around the edges of the deck. Use netting or lattice to prevent vermin from taking up residence under your deck.
How high should a deck be above ground?
Ground-side Ventilation: Build your deck so that the surface is at least 16” above the ground when using 1x4 or 5/4x4 decking material. When using 1x6 or 5/4x6, the deck must be constructed a minimum of 36” off the ground. There must be adequate air circulation underneath the deck in order to prevent cupping and warping of boards. In wet areas or over water, additional clearance is recommended. In close to ground applications, 60” or less above ground, a vapor barrier is necessary to prevent moisture from absorbing into the underside of the decking boards.
Why should T&G decking be finished on all sides?
Material should be finished on all six sides before application to prevent moisture from collecting on the underside of the deck. T&G products do not allow spacing for ventilation, which is why only covered installations and adequate ventilation underneath the deck are required.
Why do Nova decks need to be end sealed?
End Sealer: Nova Decking is always end-sealed during manufacturing to help prevent splitting and checking on the ends of boards. We require that the boards are end-sealed as soon as reasonably possible after cutting during installation. A clear, water-resistant wax should be used.
How much does a hardwood board move?
Most hardwoods can be expected to move around 8% which is 0.28” for a 3.5” board. This is the maximum movement from bone dry to fiber saturation. Typical hardwood species such as Batu, Cumaru and Angelim Pedra (as well as many others not sold by Nova) have movement up to 8%.
Do you need to pre-drill stainless steel screws?
Self-tapping stainless steel screws are available but may require pre-drilling. Pre-drilling is always required on the ends of the boards. We do not recommend the use of non-stainless fasteners since they will cause discoloration near the fastener. Do not use carbon-steel screws.
Do T&G decks need to be covered?
Porch Flooring: It is recommended that all T&G exterior applications be in a covered environment and be installed with a pitch to allow for proper drainage. Please refer to your local building codes on pitch requirements. Material should be finished on all six sides before application to prevent moisture from collecting on the underside of the deck. T&G products do not allow spacing for ventilation, which is why only covered installations and adequate ventilation underneath the deck are required. Fastening should be done with stainless steel fasteners.
Which is better: Five-quarter or Two-by decking?
1. Five-quarter decking is much more appropriate for that span, and even that is still a bit light. Two-by decking is much better. Regardless, run a floating rail down the center and screw each deck board to it with two screws. This will spread the load to adjacent deck boards and prevent most of your flex.
Is pressure treated decking more expensive than PT 5/4?
The bottom line is that pressure-treated one-by boards are probably more expensive than PT 5/4 decking anyway. I would certainly not use untreated one-by boards. They'll be rotting and (more) dangerous within a few years.
Is a 1x4 board a good span?
I personally would opt for the 1x4 if all other things were equal. Three feet is a really wide span for rotten or insect-damaged boards. Falling through a floor all the way to your hip is hilarious for everyone who sees it, but not an experience I'd be keen to repeat. With a 4" board any way you stand you're spanning two of them.
Can 1x4s hold 200 lbs?
1x4's will flex more than 1x6 material. As to whether it can support a 200 pound load is up in the air because we have no idea what type of material you are using. Oak boards would hold more than fir boards which in turn will be able to support more than soft pine boards.
