Check Deck Joist Spacing
- If you’re planning to replace old wood decking with PVC or composite, measure the deck joist spacing first.
- Most deck joists are centered 16 inches apart, which is the maximum deck joist spacing for most low-maintenance decking.
- If you plan to install your composite decking at a 45-degree angle, your joists may need to be 12 inches apart.
What is the best composite decking?
This Might Be the Best Composite Decking—Find Out Why
- NewTechWood. A deck is an extension of a home, typically the place for outdoor entertaining and relaxing. ...
- Best capped composite in the industry. ...
- Deck colors and grain. ...
- Best deck hidden fastener system. ...
- Hidden deck fasteners on the border. ...
- Long deck board lengths. ...
- Affordable decking
What is the spacing between composite deck boards?
Why Is Deck Spacing Necessary?
- Account for Expanding and Contracting of Wood. The most important reason to have a spacing gap is to allow the boards the room to expand and contract naturally.
- Allow the Deck to Breathe. ...
- Permits Water Drainage. ...
- Makes for Easier Cleaning. ...
What to look for in a composite decking?
- Natural variegated shades with organic texture.
- Timeless look of hardwoods in a lightweight board.
- Durable deck boards won’t splinter, sag or crack.
- Eovations™ technology provides the #1 strength-to-weight ratio on the market.
Which is the best composite decking material?
- Waste Wood – the waste wood used in most composite decking is from ground-up furniture and other wood materials. ...
- Recycled Plastic – most plastic used to create the composite boards is from polyethylene from milk jugs and shopping bags. ...
- Pigments – this varies greatly. ...
How many inches between joists for composite decking?
Why do composite decks last longer?
Why is joist spacing important?
What happens if you space joists too close together?
What does "on center" mean on deck joists?
How much OC do you need for composite?
Can you use hidden fasteners on composite decking?
See more
Do you have to leave a space between composite decking?
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.
What is the spacing between boards for Trex decking?
Important points about gapping All deck boards must always be installed with a 6mm side-to-side gap. 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.
Does Trex need to be on 12 centers?
Most composite decking materials, like Trex, AZEK, TimberTech and Fiberon composite decking, require minimum joist spacing for composite decking at 16″ on-center spacing for straight decking and 12″ on-center joist spacing for 45-degree angle diagonal decking.
What is the best spacing for deck boards?
The Sweet Spot – Most people agree that 3/16” is a good gap between boards. Going more than a ¼” may get a little too wide. The width of a nail head is just about right. Treated Lumber – Usually treated lumber will have some shrinkage so you can butt the boards almost right against each other during installation.
Why is deck board spacing important?
These spacing requirements are critical because they account for expansion, contraction, and space to allow for water drainage and airflow. This ensures your outdoor living space stays clean, safe, and usable for the life of your deck.
Why is it important to have end to end deck board spacing?
Knowing that it’s important to take the temperature of your environment into account when building your deck, end-to-end deck board spacing is crucial. Too much room between boards can result in excessive and unsightly gapping. Too little room in-between deck boards and they could buckle when they expand.
Why is wood decking susceptible to mold?
Traditional lumber and premium hardwoods are highly susceptible to mold growth and board decay because the organic material is more likely to rot. Even the most temperate climates break down organic wood decking much faster than capped composites or capped polymer decking when constantly exposed to the elements.
Why are deck boards rotting?
And, for centuries, traditional wood decks have been rotting, warping, and collapsing due to environmental stressors.
Why is water drainage important for deck boards?
Water drainage and airflow are critical to deck board spacing because mold and moisture damage threaten to ruin your deck’s aesthetics, substructure, and life span – especially with wood decks. Even though there’s significantly less of a chance of that happening with composite decking, it’s best to be vigilant.
What is side to side spacing?
Simply follow the chart below. Proper side-to-side board spacing allows for air, water, and debris to flow around the decking, leading to a long-lasting, low-maintenance deck.
Why are wood decks rotting?
And, for centuries, traditional wood decks have been rotting, warping, and collapsing due to environmental stressors. In the simplest terms, wood decks are not built in climate-controlled environments and are susceptible to expansion and contraction due to moisture. The expansion and contraction of wood decks are dictated by ...
What Should Deck Board Spacing Be?
From natural and pressure-treated decking options to the rich, versatile colors of composite deck boards; learning how to install deck boards properly can truly make your outdoor space shine to its fullest.
What Does Deck Board Spacing Mean?
Deck board gapping is the thin edge-to-edge opening between the sides of the decking boards. While fairly small, the deck board spacing is a crucial component to any good decking install. Installing via improper deck spacing may cause the deck planks to expand, warp, and buckle out of place.
Deck Board Spacing
Proper wood deck board spacing should have at least a 1/8 inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your wood or treated deck boards while they are still wet boards, then they should be attached without a gap between them. The gap will be created as the fresh wood slows dries and contracts within the first month.
What is the purpose of spacing between deck boards?
Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions. The primary function is to drain water from the deck. Gaps that are narrow (1/8”), can catch debris, specifically on top of the joists, and can be difficult to clean out. Larger gaps, such as 1/4”, allow more of this material to fall through the deck.
What size joists should I use for a diagonal deck?
You may be required to install 12" on center joists for diagonal decking. For many years, decking was primarily wood. People used redwood, cedar, pressure-treated pine and even some exotic hardwoods. Wood has some beautiful natural characteristics, but also requires some maintenance.
How often should I stain a deck?
Wood decking will require you to stain your deck at least every year for the first several years to protect the surface from sun and moisture damage. When the decking is installed, it is usually high in moisture content, which can lead to cracks in the wood if it is allowed to dry too quickly.
What is decking made of?
There are over a hundred different man-made decking products on the market today. Most are composed of wood-plastic composite, capped composite, vinyl and aluminum. They offer low-maintenance and a variety of appearances. YouTube.
Is ventilation necessary for a deck?
Ventilation below the deck is also enhanced by the gaps between the deck boards, but this is only important in ground-level decks. For lumber decking, both the moisture content of the lumber and the environment its installed in matter.
How wide should butt joists be on a deck?
Applying decking diagonally can often reduce or eliminate the number of butt joists on decks that are over 20’ wide .
What is hollow decking?
Hollow decking products will leave open ends that aren’t attractive and can collect dirt, leaves, etc. Most hollow decking products sell end caps that can close the ends. Another method involves installing a racetrack or picture frame pattern perimeter to cover the open ends.
What is mushrooming in decking?
Mushrooming occurs when a standard bugle head screw pulls some composite material above the surface during installation. The resulting raised bump isn’t very attractive. You can also use a hammer to level the surface. Hollow decking products will leave open ends that aren’t attractive and can collect dirt, leaves, etc.
Is thermal expansion important when installing composite decking?
Thermal expansion is always something to be aware of when dealing with plastics . In most climates, temperatures fluctuate enough to cause an issue with how the decking is spaced from summer to winter.
Does composite decking shrink?
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.
How far apart should deck joists be?
The majority of composite deck board brands including Trex, TimberTech, and more require deck joists spacing to be at 16 inches O.C. (on center) for standard straight composite decking installation.
What is a joist on a deck?
Joists are structural elements that make up the entire framework of the deck. Joists are attached to the installed ledger board using a joist hanger, or hanger bracket, and run the entire distance of the deck out from the house.
How far apart should I put deck joists?
Most deck joists are centered 16 inches apart, which is the maximum deck joist spacing for most low-maintenance decking. If you plan to install your decking at a 45-degree angle, your joists may need to be 12 inches apart. You also may have to install more stair stringers.
How do I support perimeter boards?
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. Hide composite ends by mitering joints around the deck perimeter. Add extra joists for support as needed. Click here for some pro-tips on tight miter joints.
Can I build a low maintenance deck?
You can build yourself a low-maintenance deck using the same tools and similar techniques as you would a wood deck. And most parts of a deck are now available in composite material. But there are differences between low-maintenance and wood products. We asked our pros for some tips to help DIYers avoid expensive mistakes.
Can you install perimeter boards the same color as railing?
You can install perimeter boards the same color as the railing. Choose a post color that’s different from the railing. Find a complementary color for your composite deck stairs. Have the spindles be a different color than the posts and rails.
Can you cover the ends of a Trex deck?
Many PVC and Trex composite decking products are not the same color all the way through, so you’ll want to cover the ends. One solution is to “picture frame” the deck by installing Trex deck boards around the perimeter. Pro tip: A picture frame creates a professional look but does require additional framing.
How many inches between joists for composite decking?
Most composite and PVC decking brands, like Trex and Azek, recommend a maximum joist spacing of 16 inches OC. 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.
Why do composite decks last longer?
Composite decking, which is made from a combination of wood and plastic, lasts longer than traditional wood because it’s less prone to rotting, splintering, and insect damage. But to truly get the most out of your new composite deck, you have to start with a strong frame. Composite decking brands like Trex and TimberTech generally have their own ...
Why is joist spacing important?
If the floor joists that span the length of your deck are installed too far apart, the boards on top will sag. If the joists are not all the same exact height, the deck’s surface will be uneven.
What happens if you space joists too close together?
However, if you space your joists too close together, it will be difficult to install supporting elements such as joist hangers, blocking, and flashing .
What does "on center" mean on deck joists?
What Does “On Center” Mean? The distance between two deck joists is measured in inches “ on center”, commonly abbreviated as “OC”. If you were to draw a line down the center of two joists and then measure the distance between them as 16 inches, that measurement is 16 inches on center.
How much OC do you need for composite?
Composite materials have changed drastically over the years, improving in both performance and appearance. At the same time, local building code requirements have also become stricter. For example, towns that once required a maximum of 16” OC for composites may now require 12” OC.
Can you use hidden fasteners on composite decking?
For a cleaner finish, use hidden fasteners to install your composite deck boards instead of screws. Finally, you can add the finishing touches – posts, railing, skirting, and anything else you can dream of. From frame to finish, Decks & Docks has everything you need to complete a composite decking project.
