Knowledge Builders

does veranda decking expand and contract

by Prof. Jaycee Cronin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Yes, composite decking materials expand and contract in all directions, but not as much as real wood. Composites are resistant to moisture. Instead, they change in size due to temperature. It will expand when under a hot temperature while contracting in the cold.Jun 6, 2020

Does PVC decking expand and contract?

Temperature fluctuations: PVC decking will expand and contract with temperature changes. Your decking installation instructions will likely include recommendations for spacing (gapping) between the boards.Feb 15, 2017

Do composite deck boards expand and contract?

As temperatures fluctuate, composite deck boards will naturally experience thermal expansion and contraction. That's why the board ends should never be installed tight against one another.

Does wood decking expand and contract?

It's also critical to remember that wood is a natural material that slightly expands and contracts depending on the humidity and moisture levels in the environment in which the deck is installed.

Do decking boards expand?

Deck boards can both shrink and expand. This is why it is necessary to leave appropriate spacing between them when building a deck. Most deck boards are pressure treated, which means they will be somewhat wet when they're new.

Does composite decking shrink and swell?

Composite decking tends to grow and shrink across the length of the boards as it heats and cools. Proper spacing will allow some movement without buckling. Some composite decking materials are designed to be installed with hidden fasteners.

Does composite decking expand and shrink?

Yes, composite decking materials expand and contract in all directions, but not as much as real wood. Composites are resistant to moisture. Instead, they change in size due to temperature. It will expand when under a hot temperature while contracting in the cold.Jun 6, 2020

Should you leave gaps in decking?

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.

Do deck boards shrink in width?

That means, as it weathers in the sun and the heat, it will dry out some and shrink slightly. For this reason, I usually butt deck boards as tightly together as possible, so that they'll leave a slight gap when they do shrink.

What happens if you don't leave gaps in decking?

Rain can prove especially detrimental to wood decking if it doesn't have a place to drain off the deck. When there are no gaps between the boards, this moisture remains trapped which can lead to issues like rot and mold.Apr 11, 2020

How much do deck boards expand?

1/4″
Usually the boards expand beyond that 1/4″ gap. Now the boards are buckling and possibly cracking since they have no place to go. This results in serious damage and the need to replace decking. Just to make things even more difficult, wood is anisotropic.Mar 12, 2021

Does pressure treated decking shrink?

Even products that are sealed and treated are going to shrink. This most typically occurs across the width of boards, so builders should take into consideration the fact that their lumber will shrink over time. Additionally, as part of the drying stage of treated wood, the boards will crack, also referred to as checks.Dec 16, 2014

How much expansion gap do I need for decking?

Proper Gap between Decking Boards

When installing decking boards, make sure to leave 1/4 to 1/8 inch gaps in between them. This gap will make sure that the decking can breathe, have sufficient drainage, and make it easier to clean.
Feb 11, 2021

Who makes Veranda decking, and where is it manufactured?

Fiberon is listed as one of the manufacturers of Veranda decking sold through Home Depot.

How should I store Veranda decking until it’s ready to be installed?

All deck boards should remain covered in their original wrapping until preparation is finished, and you are ready to begin the installation. If unw...

What is the safest type of product to use for melting ice on my deck in the winter?

According to Veranda, you can use rock salt or products with calcium chloride for ice removal on their composite decks. If you need a shovel to rem...

Will I be able to paint my deck if I grow tired of the color?

While it may be possible, it’s not recommended and will be far more trouble than it’s worth. Composite decking is not designed to be painted as it’...

What are the pros and cons of Veranda decking?

Pros: The biggest advantage of Veranda decking is the price. It’s among the cheapest we have seen, and it is manufactured by a reputable company. We also like the fact it’s not a bare composite board, but one with a protective cap that keeps rain, snow and UV rays from wreaking havoc on your decks.

Who makes Veranda decking?

A: Fiberon is listed as one of the manufacturers of Veranda decking sold through Home Depot.

What is the difference between Fiberon and Veranda decking?

Fiberon is a brand we’ve touched on several times, and Veranda decking is another product line from the company. While Veranda composite decking shares some similar traits with Fiberon’s budget series, it differs in several key areas including coloring and overall accessibility.

How much does a veranda board cost?

Pricing is subject to change, but you can expect to pay around $20 for a 12-foot board or $1,300 for a pack of 56. The cost for a 16-foot Veranda board is $26 while a 56-pack bundle is listed at $1,757. By comparison, a 56-pack of Fiberon ...

How long is Veranda deck warranty?

A: Veranda has a 10-year warranty on all of their deck collections when used in a commercial setting compared to a 25-year residential guarantee. Consider you lose the stain & fade warranty as well, it’s not an ideal option for a commercial usage.

How long is the warranty on a deck?

This decking is in the budget class and comes with a 15-year performance warranty. That’s short compared to similar boards in this range and a negative unless your deck won’t see heavy weather. That said, those specs are currently for products sold in the United States, not other regions which is where things can get a little tricky.

Do Veranda deck boards have a warranty?

They aren’t as “wood-like” as other composite planks, and as mentioned, the warranty is shorter than usual at only 15-years .

Who sells Veranda composite decking?

Veranda composite decking by Fiberon keeps its beauty for decades and is available exclusively through The Home Depot

Does Veranda composite decking need to be stained?

Made to last, Veranda composite decking never needs to be stained or painted. Veranda decking keeps its beauty for decades and is available exclusively through The Home Depot.

What happens if you leave a deck board untreated?

This not only looks unsightly, but it can also cost a lot to repair and can quickly become a hazard if left untreated. As the wood splits, it becomes sharp and can lead to some pretty nasty splinters in your hands and feet.

Why do deck boards crack?

If the water inside the deck boards freezes, it expands - causing the boards to splinter and crack. In unusually warm temperatures residual moisture in the boards evaporates quickly causing the boards to contract. After a few hot summers and cold winters, all your deck boards will be cracked, warped and splintered.

How much space between deck boards?

Allow a 3-5mm gap on either side of the deck boards. Allow at least 5mm between deck boards and adjoining structures or posts. It's worth bearing in mind that even though composite decking does expand and contract a little bit, they don't take on water.

How long does it take for a board to disintegrate?

Over time, the moisture trapped within the boards will cause them to rot. Your boards will start to disintegrate after only a few years. But don't worry, there is an alternative option that's much more durable and has a longer life-cycle!

Does decking expand and contract?

Does composite decking expand and contract too? The short answer is - yes, but only a little bit and it shouldn't cause the same kinds of issues that you see in real wood boards. Unlike real wood, DeckPlus composite decking never needs to be stained or sealed to keep the water out.

Does composite decking contract?

Composite decking doesn't swell or contract to the same extent that real wood decking does (especially if it's fitted correctly). To make sure that there's enough room between the boards to allow for the small amount of expansion and contraction that can occur on particularly hot or cold days, you should:

What happens to IPE decking in the summer?

The good news to this is that installing a deck during this weather assures you that your Ipe decking (or whatever wood species you choose) is at one extreme of the wood movement spectrum. In other words, the wood will move, but only in one direction (contracting instead of further expanding). Decking is swollen with high humidity all across the Midwest, South, and East coast. All of those wood fibers are like a bundle of straws, and they have sucked up the moisture that is in the air, expanding the board width.

How does moisture affect decking?

The moisture content of the decking boards, how long they have had time to acclimate to your environment. How much sun the deck receives, how much rain, temperature swings throughout a day, ventilation beneath the deck, and so much more. All of these factors will effect the amount of space you put between your deck boards.

How much gap should I use for a deck in the winter?

In the above scenario where I installed the deck in the summer, I could install it with very little gap. In the winter I would end up with a typical 1/4″ gap. You still want a little gap just to let rainwater drain through. With no drainage comes standing water and a whole new set of movement issues.

When do you need 1/4 inch gap for decking?

If the deck is installed in the winter, then you definitely need that 1/4″ gap. In the humid climates you might want to bump that out a 32nd or a 16th of an inch for insurance. So when your customer answers your “when” question and tells you they want a 1/4″ gap in May. Then you need to run some numbers and figure out just how much that decking is going to expand and contract throughout the year.

Do boards expand evenly?

In reality, boards don’t always expand evenly, and it will vary depending on where the board was located within the original log. Usually the boards expand beyond that 1/4″ gap, and now the boards are buckling and possibly cracking since they have no place to go.

Do quartersawn boards move?

Quartersawn boards barely move across the width whereas flatsawn boards will move the most (the examples above use flatsawn boards since this is most common). Now not only will the gap change, but it may not change consistently across the entire deck. Choosing Deck Spacing Between Boards.

What is Veranda decking made of?

Veranda Armorguard Composite Decking is made of blended plastic and wood and several different finishes. You can purchase an embossed finish, an extra-durable finish, or a finish that closely resembles actual wood grain.

Which is better Trex or Veranda?

Trex decking has a tensile strength of 250 pounds per square inch. Veranda de cking offers a tensile strength of 262 pounds per square inch, which is slightly better. Technically speaking, there’s not much of a difference, and most experts don’t consider that a wide enough margin to matter when it comes to selecting an option.

What are the names of composite decking?

Modern decking materials have come a long way since their origins, and today, they offer solutions that are actually far more durable than standard wooden boards. In the world of wood composite decking materials, two names often stand out: Veranda and Trex.

What is Trex decking?

Trex decking has a tough, high-performance shell of composite that is resistant to stains, cracks, and rot. The Trex brand features several different product lines. Trex Transcend features ultra-beautiful looks in earth tones and tropical colors. It’s the most high-end product the company offers.

Is Veranda decking cheaper than Trex?

At most stores and retail locations, as well as online, you’ll find that Veranda decking is priced somewhat lower than Trex decking. Usually, it’s about 20% lower in cost, which is a significant saving. However, if you can get Trex decking on sale or use a savings code, you can easily make up that difference.

Is Trex decking more durable?

It’s cheaper, holds more weight, is more durable, and can be repaired in some cases. However, Trex decking tends to look a bit more high-end, so before you make a decision, request some samples of each brand’s products so you can better determine which option is right for you.

Is Veranda decking weather resistant?

It’s extremely weather resistant. The textured surfaces of Veranda decking are also very durable, although long-term hard use will gradually wear down the embossed or textured areas. You’ll also need to be sure that you’re using only the advised, approved cleaning products on the surface.

How to store Veranda decking?

Veranda decking products can be stored in the same way you would store any wood product, stacked horizontally off the ground.

How far should Veranda decking be installed?

For residential applications, Veranda decking should be installed on joists spaced 16" on center when the deck runs perpendicular to the support joists. Decks running on a diagonal pattern should be installed on joists spaced 12" on center. For information about commercial applications, contact Veranda Product Support at 877-463-8379. For more details on installing Veranda products, please refer to the installation instructions.

How long does it take for Veranda to acclimate?

Veranda performs well in changing weather conditions. We recommend that you let the material acclimate on the job site for 48 hours prior to installation. Follow the spacing guidelines in the installation instructions to accommodate any expansion and contraction.

How long is the Veranda Elite warranty?

Veranda Elite, Vintage and HP deck boards are covered under the 25-year structural, stain and fade warranty.

What is the best product to clean a deck?

Deck cleaning products usually contain sodium percarbonate and a detergent, which are effective on normal dirt and grime and bleach out mould and mildew stains. Oxalic acid cleaners are effective on rust stains caused by metal furniture. Commercial degreasers contain propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains. Spot removers and thinners may be used sparingly on particularly stubborn grease or oil stains, but they should be washed off quickly with water to prevent damage to the grain pattern. These products typically include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents.

What is composite decking made of?

Our composite decking products consist of wood and plastic with a rich, realistic woodgrain pattern.

What is a veranda?

Veranda combines the natural appearance of wood with the durability of plastic. Unlike wood decks, which require continuous maintenance, weather protectants and water-seal products do not need to be applied to Veranda.

How to avoid problems with composite decking?

For now, I’d say the best way to avoid problems with composite decking are to avoid it altogether and stick with wood. You may be one of the lucky ones who installs composite decking and gets away with it, or you may end up constantly on the phone trying to persuade them into the honoring their warranty, which is extremely hard to do.

What is the best deck board?

VEKADECK is the best deck board in the entire vinyl decking industry. It’s very difficult to get and they only offer their products to the top decking companies in the country. If you can find that, it’s your best option.

What is a wolf deck?

Are you sure you mean wolf? Wolf is a PVC product with an ASA capstock. It’s one of the best PVC deck boards available and it doesn’t rot, mold, mildew or warp. Are you talking about trex in this?

Is Wolf PVC decking good?

Wolf PVC decking is very good too. It’s 100 percent PVC and it’s equipped with an ASA capstock as well. It’s not as good as Vekadeck. Even though it’s the PVC and ASA, it’s what’s in the mix of the product. All vinyl is not created equal! They have a nice wood grain texture but not as pronounced but still nice. They have a lot of super nice colors. It’s a good board, I’d place it up there in like the top 3 you can buy.

Is Azek a good PVC deck?

I’m surprised by a lot of these comments. Most of these products are not very well performing. Azek is OK. They actually got in a lot of trouble and settled a major lawsuit just a couple years ago for marketing their product as PVC. It’s not a true PVC deck product and many customers had issues around 10-15 years. So they created their own term called Armor Alloy Technology. It is NOT a true PVC product. Many people in these comments are wrong and spreading false information.

Do composite decking boards feel like trampoline?

This one has been the issue that I encounter most- composite decking boards that feel like a trampoline when you walk on them. They have gotten so spongey that they sag from one board to the next making your decking like a mini rollercoaster. I notice this issue showing up after a decade or more of use, but it certainly shows up and when it does it usually makes the deck unusable. Check out the video below to see how springy these boards can really get!

Does composite decking fade?

Everybody knows color fades in the sun, but composite decking companies seem to be oblivious to what their products are really capable of. Some composite decking has faded so quickly in just a couple of seasons that replacements boards stand out like a sore thumb. Just like the mold, this issue is unpredictable and hard to understand which decking will have problems and which will not.

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1.Does Veranda decking expand and contract?

Url:https://askinglot.com/does-veranda-decking-expand-and-contract

27 hours ago Does Veranda decking expand and contract? 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. It is important to recognize that composite decking expands and contracts with heat and cold.

2.Composite Decking | Veranda

Url:http://www.verandadeck.com/

27 hours ago Frequently Asked Questions - Veranda® Composite Decking - Similar to Frequently Asked Questions - Veranda® Composite Decking Veranda Composite Decking is slip-resistant and reversible During installation, it will contract only slightly in cold weather but does expand in hot weather. Composite Decking - Home Improvement Repair - Similar to Composite Decking - …

3.Does Composite Decking Expand and Contract?

Url:https://www.deckplus.co.uk/news/post/does-composite-decking-expand-and-contract

10 hours ago Mar 12, 2021 · Deck board spacing depends on when they are installed. The right spacing on deck boards relies on knowing the wood and the conditions all year. ... Like a stopped watch that is only right twice a day, those deck boards are going to expand and contract as the seasons change, and no matter what you do, the gap between the boards will only be ...

4.Deck Board Spacing Changes Throughout the Year: Plan …

Url:https://www.mcilvain.com/news/what-size-gap-should-i-use-between-my-decking/

16 hours ago Sep 13, 2021 · Trex vs. Veranda Deck: Strength. Trex decking has a tensile strength of 250 pounds per square inch. Veranda decking offers a tensile strength of 262 pounds per square inch, which is slightly better. Technically speaking, there’s not much of a difference, and most experts don’t consider that a wide enough margin to matter when it comes to ...

5.Trex vs. Veranda Decking: Which Is the Better Choice?

Url:https://www.h2ouse.org/trex-vs-veranda-decking/

23 hours ago As temperatures fluctuate, composite deck boards will naturally experience thermal expansion and contraction. That’s why the board ends should never be installed tight against one another. There should always be a slight gap. How much of a gap? That will depend upon air temperature at the time of installation (Read this to learn more).

6.Frequently Asked Questions - Veranda Composite Decking

Url:https://www.verandadeck.ca/decking/faq.htm

31 hours ago For residential applications, Veranda decking should be installed on joists spaced 16" on center when the deck runs perpendicular to the support joists. Decks running on a diagonal pattern should be installed on joists spaced 12" on center. For information about commercial applications, contact Veranda Product Support at 877-463-8379.

7.The Problems with Composite Decking - The Craftsman …

Url:https://thecraftsmanblog.com/the-problems-with-composite-decking/

25 hours ago Apr 23, 2018 · The Problems With Composite Decking. There are a multitude of problems with composite decking that show up all too often to be just a stray issue for a hard to please homeowner. The accounts of issues are repeated with a frightening regularity and sameness throughout the threads of complaints. Below are some of the issues that crop up most often.

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