Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Which Direction To Lay Deck Boards?
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stormlaw
09-27-05, 01:37 PM
Sorry For The Novice Question!
I'm laying down a "deck" on top of my patio. The patio is 26x16 and is surrounded by 8 foot brick walls. Should I lay the deck boards going the length of the patio? It would be easier and, I assume less splintering, if I lay 16 foot deck boards across the width of the patio. Do you think this is a bad idea?
I'm laying down a "deck" on top of my patio. The patio is 26x16 and is surrounded by 8 foot brick walls. Should I lay the deck boards going the length of the patio? It would be easier and, I assume less splintering, if I lay 16 foot deck boards across the width of the patio. Do you think this is a bad idea?
goldstar
09-27-05, 02:37 PM
16' is a stock length, while 26' is not. The real chioce is appearance. Consult some deck brochures and you may decide on a diagional or herring bone as best for your needs.
lefty
09-27-05, 07:40 PM
Hopefully you are laying the deck boards on joists -- NOT directly on the concrete! Even that is not going to provide enough ventilation under the deck, unless you can raise the bottom of the joists at least 6" above the slab.
Running the deck boards in the 16' direction results in virtually no waste, and the decking will have no butt joints, Running it in the 26' direction will have the butt joints, and you WILL have about 10% waste -- plan on it when you buy the decking.
Running the deck boards in the 16' direction results in virtually no waste, and the decking will have no butt joints, Running it in the 26' direction will have the butt joints, and you WILL have about 10% waste -- plan on it when you buy the decking.
DeckedOut
11-15-05, 08:34 AM
One thing you may want to think about when you are laying your decking is that if you run them 16' then you must have joists that run 26'. It would be easier to run your joists the 16' rather than 26'. Just something to keep in mind.
deckgrasshopper
11-18-05, 05:57 AM
I have to agree with that last post...you don't want to have 26' joists....that would seem to require an additional beam and footing as well....right?
If you don't want to have obvious butted ends on your top boards in the 26' direction - use the herringbone pattern. It looks awesome, shouldn't vastly increase your waste, and you won't have an obvious seam running at the 10' mark in your deck. A very nice touch after you have done all the hard work i.m.o.
If you don't want to have obvious butted ends on your top boards in the 26' direction - use the herringbone pattern. It looks awesome, shouldn't vastly increase your waste, and you won't have an obvious seam running at the 10' mark in your deck. A very nice touch after you have done all the hard work i.m.o.
leewaytoo
01-26-06, 09:52 AM
a bit late now, most likely.
no one mentioned which side of the deck board to lay face up.
no one mentioned which side of the deck board to lay face up.
lefty
01-26-06, 09:59 PM
leewaytoo,
That sounds like a whole 'nother thread!!
If the decking is a vinyl or composite, there is DEFINITELY an up side and a down side. Some (WeatherBest comes to mind) can go either way, depending on the finish that you want to show. WB is woodgrained on one side and brushed on the other. Which do you want to see?? Most of the rest are finished on one side only -- not much question about which is up.
Wood can be tricky. It cups in the opposite direction that the rings go. But sometimes that puts the grade stamp up, and those are idelible. I put them down, regardless of anything else.
That sounds like a whole 'nother thread!!
If the decking is a vinyl or composite, there is DEFINITELY an up side and a down side. Some (WeatherBest comes to mind) can go either way, depending on the finish that you want to show. WB is woodgrained on one side and brushed on the other. Which do you want to see?? Most of the rest are finished on one side only -- not much question about which is up.
Wood can be tricky. It cups in the opposite direction that the rings go. But sometimes that puts the grade stamp up, and those are idelible. I put them down, regardless of anything else.
tiki8w8
02-10-06, 07:17 AM
What does a grade stamp look like? Is it just a number 1 or #2? Where is is usually placed on decking?
lefty
02-11-06, 08:21 PM
A "grade stamp" is only on wood, and INVARIABLLY it is on the "good" side. It is indelible ink, so the only way to get rid of it is cut it off. (Either that, or place the "bad side" of the board up.) And they ALWAYS occur 3' from the end of the board. Cutting them off is going to result in a whole lot of waste.