Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck board spacing advice
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Wayne02
10-05-05, 01:47 PM
I'm building a 16' x 24' deck using treated 2x6 from HD for deck boards. The manufacturer of the boards (naturalselect.com) recommends no more than 1/16th for heavy/wet boards and no more than an 1/8th for light and dry boards. My boards probably fall more into the light/dry category, although they are not bone dry.
I went looking for one of these deck spacing tools like this today:
http://www.customdeckplans.com/deck_products.html
Ended up at a Dunn Lumber where the guy gave me a spacing tool used for a composite deck system. All they used were ones with 1/4 and 3/8 spacing, none with 1/8. After telling him the type of boards I was using and the recommended spacing he suggested that 1/8th was too small of a gap. He suggested 1/4 would be better to allow more room for movement and debris fall-through. We are in the heavily treed pacific northwest and do get a fair amount of leaves, needles etc on the ground.
The deck I'm replacing had no space between the deck boards and would puddle up a bit during rain. I don't want a deck with no space between the deck boards of course, but 1/4 seems like a bit much??????? I'm kind of leaning towards 1/8 and if it shrinks up to 1/4 than so be it. Do you think that's the best approach? What do you suggest???
If so, what store can I get an 1/8 spacing tool from ( I know I could probably make one, but I want to get this job done). Lowes, HD, and Dunns don't have the spacer tools.
Second question has to do with cutting the deck boards evenly after installation. Because of the uneven siding styles on the house I will need to cut the outside of the deck boards to length (say 15' 8" or so) after installation. Any tips or techniques for getting an even looking cut over the 24' span??? Was planning on just snapping a chalk line and using a new blade in a circular saw... Any type of blade work better than others for this?
Thanks
Wayne
I went looking for one of these deck spacing tools like this today:
http://www.customdeckplans.com/deck_products.html
Ended up at a Dunn Lumber where the guy gave me a spacing tool used for a composite deck system. All they used were ones with 1/4 and 3/8 spacing, none with 1/8. After telling him the type of boards I was using and the recommended spacing he suggested that 1/8th was too small of a gap. He suggested 1/4 would be better to allow more room for movement and debris fall-through. We are in the heavily treed pacific northwest and do get a fair amount of leaves, needles etc on the ground.
The deck I'm replacing had no space between the deck boards and would puddle up a bit during rain. I don't want a deck with no space between the deck boards of course, but 1/4 seems like a bit much??????? I'm kind of leaning towards 1/8 and if it shrinks up to 1/4 than so be it. Do you think that's the best approach? What do you suggest???
If so, what store can I get an 1/8 spacing tool from ( I know I could probably make one, but I want to get this job done). Lowes, HD, and Dunns don't have the spacer tools.
Second question has to do with cutting the deck boards evenly after installation. Because of the uneven siding styles on the house I will need to cut the outside of the deck boards to length (say 15' 8" or so) after installation. Any tips or techniques for getting an even looking cut over the 24' span??? Was planning on just snapping a chalk line and using a new blade in a circular saw... Any type of blade work better than others for this?
Thanks
Wayne
Ed Imeduc
10-05-05, 02:27 PM
Get two of the sticks that they use to mix the paint in the can with. Cut in half. Put nail in middle of it about 1"in form one end. let them hang down between the deck boards as you nail them down. pull out and put in between the next boards.
ED ;)
ED ;)
lefty
10-05-05, 04:19 PM
"Dunn Lumber" -- of course you're in the NORTHWET!! (And that's NOT a typo!)
Forget the 1/8" spacing. Reread my first line. You want to put it down with 1/4" spacing at this time of year. You can thank me in January or Feb., after it's been exposed to 20" or 25" of rainfall, and the gap is about 1/8".
Forget the 1/8" spacing. Reread my first line. You want to put it down with 1/4" spacing at this time of year. You can thank me in January or Feb., after it's been exposed to 20" or 25" of rainfall, and the gap is about 1/8".
Wayne02
10-11-05, 07:46 AM
Ok, thanks guys. I'll go with 1/4.