Is 2×6 good for decking?

2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Similar to guards, if stairs are to be hung from the side of an upper-level deck, 2×10 as a minimum is recommended, as it will exceed the depth of the first step.

What is the best thickness for deck boards?

16” on center = Standard for residential decking applications. 12” on center is recommended for a sturdier underfoot feel, when using standard deck board thickness of 1”. 24” on center = Sometimes used for commercial applications such as docks and boardwalks; wider joist spacing requires greater deck board thickness.

What size boards should I use for decking?

Width: Six-inch wide boards are ideal in most cases. Four inch wide material takes longer to install, creates more gaps and requires a lot more fasteners—but you can use it. Eight inch wide boards, because of their greater width, have more of a tendency to crack and cup; avoid using them.

What is the most common deck board size?

Common deck board widths are 4”, 6” and 8”. The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces easily calculated into deck dimensions.

Can I use 1×6 for deck boards?

Width of material: We recommend only 1×4, 5/4×4 or narrower boards. Never use 1×6 or 5/4×6 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.

Are wider deck boards better?

Narrower boards work best.

4” nominal (3-1/2” actual) wide deck boards perform better than wider (6” nominal) deck boards. Because there are more gaps between the deck boards, 4” nominal deck boards provide about 44% more top of deck ventilation than 6” nominal decking.

Should deck boards have a gap?

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.

Is it better to nail or screw deck boards?

Decking screws are better than nails when building a deck. Decking screws hold down your decking more securely than nails and will stop your decking from warping. Also, you can easily remove screws for deck maintenance without causing damage.

Should I use 2×4 or 2×6 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. 2Ă—4 and 2Ă—6 joists are ideal for ground-level decks without guards.

Do you have to stagger deck boards?

Staggering the seams or butt joints where the boards meet is an important part of how to lay out the deck boards. What is this? Staggering the deck boards decreases the number of screws or nails going into one joist, which can weaken or rot the joist more quickly.

How many decking boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?

For a 10Ă—10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.

Where do you start laying deck boards?

In most cases, it’s best to start with a full board on the outside edge of the deck and work toward the house so the odd board is less visible. Then measure when you’re 4 to 5 ft. away from the house and adjust the gap sizes to be sure the last board is a consistent width.

Do you leave a gap between composite deck boards?

One of the most critical steps for properly securing composite decking in place is to make sure you have a 1/4-inch to 3/16-inch gap between the decking boards (don’t exceed 1/2 inch). This space is important for two reasons.

How much should a deck overhang?

The edge of decking should never overhang more than one-third of the decking material. For your standard 5.5” decking, that is 1 ¾” overhang.

How far do I space deck boards?

Determining Deck Board Spacing

When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you’re using decking that’s already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn’t been dried down or kiln dried.

How should you stagger deck boards?

A common method for staggering a deck is to start the first row with a full plank, then cut one-third of the next row’s first board off the end. The row after that has an additional one-third cut off and then repeat when you get back to a full board.

What are the problems with composite decking?

It actually moves more AND more unexpectedly than wood decks. Some composite decking won’t move a bit and others have been found to shrink, swell, warp, twist, bow, and any other word you want to use in amounts unheard of, even with wood.

Do you need a special saw blade to cut composite decking?

Cutting composite decking is similar to cutting normal lumber; it just requires special saw blades. So when cutting composite decking, it is advisable to use saw blades that are convenient and flexible for cutting. The saw blades must also be sharp.

How do you join two deck boards?

Should Trex be staggered?

Composite decking should not be staggered on a deck. Staggered decking requires butt joints, but composite decking expands and contracts with temperature changes making butt joints unsightly.

How do you lay deck boards on a long deck?

Do you screw decking at every joist?

Each deck board should be fastened with two screws at each point where the board crosses a joist to ensure the stability and durability of your deck’s surface. Boards should be fastened to rim joists with three screws.