So, depending on what type decking you use, you can the decide what size and spacing of joists to use. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Deck boards – no matter the thickness (5/4″ or 2″) should always be fastened on top of a DOUBLE joist so there is enough nailing edge on each decking board where they are butted. The bigger the space between the joists, the stronger you need your decking boards to be, as they will have bigger distances in between the support joists they are fastened to. Western red cedar decking makes a beautiful deck that will last. 5/4 x 6 needs a maximum of 24 inches. I made the mistake years ago of using 600mm centres on iroko, which in itself would have been ok, it was a nice 22mm thick board, but I forgot the customer wanted the boards at an angle, so that increased the span to about 700 from memory, which was still ok for the bounce but it twisted like a pig. board will end. The grade and type of wood determine the free span it can run â southern pine can span further unsupported than fir, spruce or hemlock, which in turn can span further than cedar. Check the distance between joists and select the deck board dimensions best suited for how the deck will be used. The decking should be regularly protected from rot, mold, and insects with a sealer or stain every 2 to 5 years. Even though it is just a simple single step, the box base will need to be secured into the ground – NOT free standing. A 2âx6â plank will flex more when supported at 24â OC than the other two distances, and a 5/âx6â will flex more at 16â OC than at 12â OC. On this deck I wanted one board width as my border and the boards are 5/4 red cedar decking material. The space between the ends of boards should always be 1/8 inch. Cost and maintenance, though, are two factors to consider when choosing deck boards. They are very resistant to mold, insects, and rot. Each deck board must be supported by 4 or more joists for proper performance. Joist spacing is typically referred to as “On-Center” or “OC”, e.g, 16” OC. This is easily achieved by building a box frame from the joist timbers (6x2in – 150x50mm) and fixing deck boards to the surface. Untreated pine, spruce, or fir can be used as decking. All three choices—5/4 x 6-in. Though there are building codes dictating many aspects of deck construction to insure the finished deck is safe and solid, there is no specific distance required for the spacing of screws attaching deck boards to the joists. Joist Spacing for Composite Decking If you found the article informative or useful, please pass it on to others who may find it helpful. 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. Select 5/4×6 inch deck boards to fasten in a perpendicular pattern to joists spaced 12â or 16â on-center (OC), or diagonally on 12â OC joists. Composite decking is an alternative to wood and is extremely durable and great for heavy traffic. The most common or standard deck board width is 6-inch wide planks based on square-foot coverage, labor, and material cost. Since 5/4×6 have a specific purpose, they are milled smoother and have a more rounded edge to prevent splintering and scuffing. The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces easily calculated into deck dimensions. Has a 30-year warranty against staining and fading. Mathematically, one-foot or 12-inches is divisible by 1-2-3-4-6-12, making the number of planks to cover a deck surface easier to calculate. The plank thickness should provide a solid feel for the unsupported distance between joists. The two most common deck board thicknesses are 5/4â and 2â. ! As with deck boards, the greater the span and the thinner a joist, the more it will flex and bounce. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16". Common deck board widths are 4â, 6â and 8â. Some composite 5/4 deck boards carry recommendations for joists at 12â OC, while others are reinforced with fiberglass and can span joists at 24â OC. Planks 12â wide arenât practical due to the cost per piece as they are scarcer as fewer can be milled from a log compared to smaller dimensions. Wet end-use conditions and unseasoned (green) lumber sizes are assumed. The gap will naturally close and widen throughout the year as the weather and seasons change. WRCLA Western Red Cedar decking is available in a selection of thicknesses, widths and lengths as shown in the table below. Larger gaps, such as 1/4”, allow more of this material to fall through the deck. Available in many different anodized or powder coated finishes, as well as silver, sand, or gray tone aluminum. Constant flexing of the plank will weaken it and may cause it to break more easily. 28mm thick deckboards can be laid on joists with 600mm spacing - though for higher level decks, this should be reduced to 500mm centres. Joist spacing is the distance between each joist, and are measured in inches from center-of-joist to center-of-joist. Make sure you plan adequate space for your joists. (Figure 2) Step 3: Fasten all deck boards down using 2 T-Clips™ per joist or Dekmount® with at least 2 screws per board per joist. Ideally, the finish gap between deck boards will be between 1/8″ (3mm) and 5/16″ (8mm) but should not be installed at this spacing as 5/4 boards will shrink, increasing the gap. The planks are still planed to the same finished or actual dimensions, but more board feet may be produced per log. The spans of joists varies based upon several factors: joist size, spacing between joists, decking material and wood species. I want to pass building code here in Kentucky. Gaps that are narrow (1/8”), can catch debris, specifically on top of the joists, and can be difficult to clean out. The size of the deck determines the length of the joists and unsupported span they must cover, and it influences the joist spacing. Adjust the spacing between deck boards gradually over the next 10 rows of decking until the distance to the house is equal. Using screws to attach decking. A 2×6 will give a more solid feel to a deck with 16â OC spaced joist than a 5/4×6 beck board will, so if the deck is high traffic or expected to host large numbers of people, the thicker material is often the better choice. The nominal dimensions of lumber are commonly based on the rough cut size before being planed smooth on all four faces. A deck is commonly a platform raised off the ground by posts or blocks that support beams that carry joists that the deck boards fasten to. Greater thicknesses could be used, but increased weight affects the substructure, and greatly increases costs. Note: These are nominal sizes, actual sizes may vary by manufacturer. Step 1: Mark Line Measure from the house to the inside edge of the starter board and mark both rim joists at this distance. However, if planning to place a hot tub or similar weighty object on the deck, check with the local building department. Probably the most difficult decision to make when building a wood deck is what type of decking to use. So at this time my overall overhang of my border is going to be 1 ½”. When a tree is cut down and then milled into planks, it is commonly 1 or 2-inches thick with varying dimensions in widths. 5/4 cedar should be installed with a small gap and pressure-treated tight. Cedar should be protected against UV damage with a clear stain or sealer every 2 to 5-years. The supports for the decking will be 24" center-to-center. In writing this, we’re assuming you already have the cedar deck framed up with 16-inch spacing between the joists. As it dries, the wood shrinks, especially in width. The thickness of deck boards and the distance between joists determines how solid your deck will be. For 5/4 material I’d use a 16” spacing. Choices of deck board fastener types and methods include nails, screws, clips, and a wide variety of hidden deck board fastener systems that we describe here as well. The plan for this play structure is, it is for kids, with the occasional "mom or dad wants to play too!" Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. First Step: Select a Wood Species . (2â x 6âx 12â = $5 to $9), Wood, commonly pine, protected from fungus and insect damage with chemicals that have been forced into the wood with pressure. A 5/4âx6â deck board is rated for 12â OC and 16â OC, and a 2âx6â plank can span that plus 24â OC. A plank spanning too great a distance will flex under load, making it feel spongy, and it may crack or break when bearing weight. Having a solid frame is key to an even decking surface that doesn't bow over time. Additionally, if you plan to cantilever the end of the deck over a support beam, the non-cantilevered span must be at least twice the length of the cantilevered span. The last board … Attach 5/4 lumber to joists with the same type of box nail, but use a 10d (3”) or 12d (3¼”) length. Shop Top Choice 5/4-in x 6-in x 12-ft Cedar Lumber in the Dimensional Lumber department at Lowe's.com. The maximum joist spacing you can use will depend on the size and allowable span of your joists… Cedar is more expensive but usually considered to be a more premium looking deck board, it is naturally moisture and rot resistant looks great. Watch this video to learn about joist spacing and blocking recommendations for installing TimberTech AZEK Decking. To get going I also have an overhang all around the deck of ¾” plus I also have the thickness of my fascia to be installed after the decking and it is also ¾”. Deck spacing isn’t anything to take lightly. Most building codes limit 5/4 deck boards to maximum joist spacing of 16â OC if laid perpendicular (at right angles) to the joists. The grade of wood – #1 or #2, premium, or standard determines the price and quality of the wood too. Decking Joist Spacing. Once the frame is complete, you are ready to attach the decking. Deck board thickness determines the distance it can span between joists in many building codes. You can literally save thousands of dollars by working with various decking patterns and sizes. One major reason your deck could fail sooner than expected is due to poor framing. It is important to note, though, that the thicker lumber dries slower and wonât twist, bow, or cup as much as the thinner material. Watch this video to get insider tips on how to save big on Western Red Cedar decking. (5/4â x 6âx 12â = $50 to $90 with includes installation clips), PVC boards are synthetic polymer or plastic planks made to imitate wood and carry a 50-year warranty against fading and staining. Maximum spans for decking shown in the table are based on a continuous beam with two equal spans and a concentrated load of 220-lb at the center of one span. Widths of 1â, 2â, 3â or 4â require more pieces and thus labor to cover the same area. Low maintenance, no warping, cracking or splinters, or any mold, mildew, rot, or UV worries, plus a lifetime guarantee. A nominal or rough cut 2×6 planes down to 1-1/2âx5-1/2â while a 5/4×6 dimensionally is actually 1âx5-1/2â. Adjust spacing between deck boards Measure to the house at both ends and in the center when you get within about 5 ft. of the wall. Are you looking to build the outdoor deck of your dreams but donât know where to start? Both a 1 x 4 board or a 1 x 6 board need a spacing maximum of 16 inches. Characteristics & Properties of Western Red Cedar. It is recommended you check your local building codes before proceeding. spanning 16’-6” between supports may cantilever up to … The true span of the decking board is used, taking into account the thickness of the supporting joist beneath it. How to lay out, place, & secure decking: the deck flooring. Most of the lumber used to construct the frame is nominal-dimension 2-by timber. (1â x 6âx 12â = $12 to $20), Composite boards are manufactured from recycled plastic and wood to look like wood. A 2×6 can span a greater distance, and be used perpendicular to joists up to 24â OC, and diagonally up to 16â OC. The distance a deck board traverses between the joists is unsupported, so boards of different thicknesses are required for varying spans. For example, a 2 x 12 joist placed 16” OC. However, it is best to check with the local building inspector for allowances in your area. 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For allowances in your area to construct the frame is nominal-dimension 2-by timber deck could fail sooner expected.
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