6 Composite Decking Installation Mistakes To Avoid
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If you’re the owner of a pressure-treated wood deck and beginning to notice the unavoidable wear and tear that comes with traditional wood, you’re likely looking into alternatives. Replacing wood deck boards with composite decking is a surefire way to improve the overall aesthetic, performance, and long-term value of your deck. We’ve got the tips and best practices to get your project started right. Your deck can begin to fail prematurely if the framing is weak. Be sure to follow your composite decking manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully, and keep the following tips in mind. The smaller the spacing, the longer your joists can span.
Do you need special screws for composite decking?
You can screw or nail composite decking boards just like wood ones. Three-inch decking screws are the best fastener choice; they sink a secure distance into the joists and won't back out like nails. There's little danger of splitting the boards when driving them, so you don't need to pre-drill.
After I pull off the old PT boards and remove the nails, should I in some way treat the existing 20 yr old joists before the new boards are attached? Such as fill in the old nail holes to minimize water infiltration? Of course, any major damage will be repaired but just wondering. I read others talking about filing nail holes, putting down waterproof membranes etc.
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Should a deck be perfectly level?
Unless a deck is covered, it shouldn't be at the same level as the door to your home. There should be at least a 4-inch step down to the deck itself. If the deck is enclosed or has a roof that doesn't allow water to get inside, you need not worry.
Any small investment in additional framing material will be well worth the increased stability you’ll experience for the lifetime of the deck. Deck joist spacing for composite decking remains largely the same as if working with treated lumber. The majority of composite deck board brands including Trex, TimberTech, and more require deck joists spacing to be at 16 inches O.C.
Simply choose a composite material in a matching or complementary color and replace as many visible boards as possible so that next year, you won’t have much painting to do. Then, the first board was fastened to the framing with square-drive composite decking screws.
Check Deck Joist Spacing
Install joist hangers every 6 inches or so on your ledger board and your end beam . Build a joist jig out of your framing lumber so that your joist hangers are consistent . Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Mark and cut your joists to run from the ledger board to the end beams. Seat the joists into the hangers and fasten with nails . Planning and designing a DIY deck frame for your home's outdoor space is surefire way to gain more confidence in your DIY carpentry skills as well crate a deck or porch you're proud to own.
Since that time, manufacturers worked to create a more attractive, realistic texture. While they generally don’t require heavy maintenance, composite decks do require some TLC to stay clean and shiny. This includes sweeping and the occasional mopping with soap and water. However, since composite decks aren’t made of wood, sanding, varnishing, and oiling are not required. Check for peeling paint or stain - If you think that you could have some peeling paint on your decking, stick a strip of tape across the wood and yank the tape up.
How To Lay Decking Joists For Composite Decking
- This contact area should be limited only to the top of the joists, leaving most of the decking exposed on both sides.
- If placed on top of other decking, there will be little drying potential beneath the new decking and more rapid decay of both the new and old can be expected.
- These days, installing a composite deck is a lot like working with wood -- some even claim it’s easier due to the clip system.
- For manufactured products, installations over old decking or solid surfaces are prohibited and will likely void the warranty.
- Guides exist online to streamline the process and encourage amateurs to try it out themselves, and many brands are working to improve the installation process further.
- While this might have been true when composite decking first hit the market, it’s not an accurate representation of the materials on today’s market.
DuraLife’s ColorLock™ Multi-Layered Finishing System also helps protect against discoloration because composite material is completely uniform from one side of the board to the other. The good news for homeowners is that unlike most composites, DuraLife® hardwood composite decking products can be installed between 20†O.C. That’s why most professional builders agree that building a deck with high-quality composite decking materials is the ideal choice. Isn’t it time to scrap that warped, splintery, faded wood? Replace it with Trex high-performance composite decking and enjoy long-lasting, low-maintenance beauty for decades to come. After all, your time outdoors shouldn’t be spent sanding, scraping and staining – it should be spent sitting on your deck enjoying the view. If you’re planning to replace old wood decking with PVC or composite, measure the deck joist spacing first.
How To Fasten Composites Down
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For this reason, it is vital to perform frequent deck maintenance to check the quality of your stain. Inspect the whole deck surface - The first thing that you need to do is inspect the entire surface of the deck. Well, if the boards have started to crack, it is definitely time to take them out and get them replaced. However, if they are a little bit warped, you’re going to be fine and you can leave them alone.
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A drainage system diverts water away from the joists and beams. If installed ceiling panels are beneath the deck, there’s no air coming in to dry out the wood. The only ventilation is through the quarter-inch or less space between the top boards.
We asked Randy Moe from Decks Unlimited, and Bob Januik and Matt Norden from Precision Decks, for some tips on working with low-maintenance deck materials, including Trex. Altogether these guys have built more than 1,000 decks, using every material imaginable. Today they install low-maintenance materials on three out of four. Plus, check out these 14 DIY deck add-ons that are seriously cool. NeoTimber® specialises in the highest quality composite decking for your garden, balcony and commercial applications. Simple to install, and backed by our 25-year residential warranty, we offer a superb range of products and a first-class service. Where I live, the county requires a permit whenever more than 50% of a deck's materials are replaced.
If you’re not satisfied with the color choices, or if you would like your deck to match your house, most products can be stained or painted, as specified by the manufacturer. You can fasten boards to joists by driving screws through the face or into clips inserted along the edge. Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites. This decking bubbles up around standard bugle-head deck screws . Here’s a detailed review about composite decking, including how to choose the best boards, comparing costs, as well as installing and cleaning them.
Apply Joist Tape To The Top Surface Of Each Joist
How long do wood decks last?
A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years. Many composite decks come with a 20-year warranty – and often a lifetime guarantee.
And being situated on the second-story of a townhouse, there were no trees to shade it from that enormous nuclear cannon in the sky that we call the sun. The 2-by decking boards were no match for the power of Mother Nature, and the lumber had checked, warped and grayed. The deck floor was no longer in the same plane, nails were popping like a pan of Orville Redenbacher, and the cap rail had bowed into the shape of a miniature ski slope. It was time to get out with the old deck boards and in with the new—the “new†being low-maintenance composite decking.