no space between deck boards

A shorter version of my original video. Concrete patios need pitch to let the water drain . If the space is still too narrow, make a second pass on the other side. and hey don’t swell in the rain- they simply drain. Does not matter if the wood is wet, you should always leave a 1/8th inch gap between boards. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! The primary function is to drain water from the deck. You may think they are purposely cupped but this is because of the small and I mean small trees that are being milled today, 50 years ago over 1/2 of the wood my plant uses to produce lumber would gone to a boiler for power / steam production or chipper for paper. Everyone inherits a slippery deck, but those are the other things you need to check, and keep an eye on from now on. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Many jurisdictions following the International Building Code, which requires a minimum 1/8-inch spacing between boards. The saw should follow the gap fairly well, but you'll want to brace the saw with a firm grip to prevent wobble and keep things looking very straight. The eighth-inch spacing provides for a safer surface for walking. And my experience with composite decking in our area is that it's horrible -- gets way too hot to be usable in the summer unless you also build something to shade it. All rights reserved. Larger gaps, such as 1/4”, allow more of this material to fall through the deck. The last board won’t look good if … Regular pressure treated wood tends to be somewhat wet when it’s new. This is for the homeowners out there that are finally ready to put the finishing touches on their deck (except for stains and sealants of course) and are wondering exactly what cedar deck board spacing to use and why. When securing the decking, it is important to leave adequate spacing between the boards for water to drain. I would think that a circular saw would leave a corner that’s more likely to split and splinter as it’s no longer rounded over, but a router would be a royal pain to keep straight the whole length of each board, I don’t even know if it’s nailed or screwed down, as it was buried in snow when I was last over there. The peal and stick under the deck boards is worst of all cause it rots the deck boards really fast. Both sizes have their pros and cons. That decking gap will widen slightly as the deck boards dry, and it will close slightly as the deck boards absorb water in wet weather. We would need more information, please. For this reason, I usually butt deck boards as tightly together as possible, so that they’ll leave a slight gap when they do shrink. Thanks for your question. In writing this, we’re assuming you already have the cedar deck framed up with 16-inch spacing between the joists. can wood deck boards be installed over Hardiboard on balcony? Share. Are there any gambits where I HAVE to decline? @Joe - the boards will almost never rot; the metal fasteners will. Since wood fibers act like a bundle of straws that sucks up moisture from the air, we can expect the board width to expand with increased moisture. That seems like a good solution. Take care! I am skeptical that there's not enough gap between the planks to drain. If the wood has been kiln dried after treatment, also called KDAT, most of the moisture has already been removed in a controlled environment, so very little shrinkage will occur after installation. 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. Just pressure wash it and see how bad it gets this year (it could have 10y of slick on it) Or lets get serious about these cans of worms known as 'decks', and get into it. I installed my pressure treated boards slightly touching. This should lock the saw on track really nicely. Filling the space between the floorboards on a deck. This circular saw attachment will make it easy to widen the gap. The next board may not be perfectly parallel or straight itself. The late fall/winter months are a problem. His extensive hands-on experience and understanding of the industry make him the go-to source for all things having to do with the home – from advice on simple repairs, to complete remodels, to helping homeowners prepare their homes for extreme weather and seasons. Make Your Own Jig – A homemade jig can make spacing a lot easier and more uniform across the deck. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. i’ve built several decks. If the boards aren't perfectly flat with respect to each other your bullnose will vary quite a bit. Tweet. Have a wooden deck. If you're lucky you can just run once in each direction (this reduces fibrous texture with softwood). They should make a deck board with a channel on the edge that locks with the adjacent board with an 1/8" of play for expansion and contraction. Have continual problems with water draining into the shed. Watch this video to see how it works. 1/8" will help but that's still small enough for seed pods and small bits to drop into the cracks and get stuck. In the winter they stay closed up about all the time. A tell-tale sign of a potential problem with the ledger board attachment is the … Share. Danny Lipford: When people are building pressure treated decks, they often ask whether they should space the boards apart or butt them tightly together. Again, it's important to know your local codes. Give a good pound with the sledge on a few boards to check the integrity, and especially the stairs. If it's moldy, lifting deck boards can usually be done with a swift kick... A crowbar and a 5lb sledge will pull it right up, if not. Any ideas? Our deck contractor placed the pressure treated deck boards too close and now we have issues with debris accumulating in the gaps which restricts water drainage. The natural grain pattern can cause them to do so, but warpage due to sunlight and retained moisture underneath has a greater effect. In general, especially today, decks won’t go above sixteen inches on center. A: I’ve found that both practically and aesthetically, a 3/16-inch space between deck boards is ideal. rev 2020.12.3.38123, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Home Improvement Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. i’m in houston – so you know the texas weather is very hot. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. It only takes a minute to sign up. Why does this movie say a witness can't present a jury with testimony which would assist in making a determination of guilt or innocence? Especially if they're crappy 'exterior' drywall screws. We always recommend contacting the manufacturer for product-specific questions. (No problems with water getting into the shed then). On 2017-01-22 by (mod) - space between deck boards for drainage. Why do you say it would look bad? How can I get my cat to let me study his wound? Hi, Darlene, Here’s where you can do that: https://www.camofasteners.com/contact-us/ leave a 1/8” gap (the thickness of an 8-penny nail) between the boards Screws you can pull or they'll snap off anyway, but with rusty nails they're always be some crap left sticking out somewhere. What are wrenches called that are just cut out of steel flats? I work in a lumber mill boards are rough cut then run through a planer/ edger. Countersink the hole a bit to make sure it doesn't scar up future workpieces. You may have to make several passes using the same process to widen the space between the deck boards for desired spacing. The sellers pressure washed the deck and replaced a few soft boards, but the real problem is that there isn’t enough gap between boards for good drainage I’ve suggested lifting the deck boards and regapping them but with all of the other repairs to be made, my friend was considering running a circular saw down each gap and taking a little bit of wood off each board Find a roundover router bit with a small guide that just fits the gap, and run that down as well. Before building a composite deck, always read the installation instructions from the manufacturer, paying special attention to the required joist spacing for composite decking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K-g1KjRqUQ, MAINTENANCE WARNING: Possible downtime early morning Dec 2, 4, and 9 UTC…, Flooring a concrete deck, without raising the floor (much). Welcome, Rick. I recommend the Saw Guide by Lounsbury Products. The easy answer is 1/4″. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Isherwood is correct. To utilize the space below, had a shed build for outdoor equipment etc. Subscribe today for exclusive content & tips in your inbox! If the gap in between the deck boards is too narrow use the Saw Guide by Lounsbury Products. If you decide to pull them up and reuse them, pressure wash it first to see as many fasteners as possible and pull 'em out. I have seen decks here in NC laid with the boards touching and I have not heard of any problems with expansion. Where does the expression "dialled in" come from? Generally, an acceptable gap between deck boards is between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch. It's mostly a matter of craftsmanship. (I suspect it’d be easier to lift a nailed down deck than a screwed down one). If all your deck boards are to close together your deck will build up debris in the space between boards. Some tongue and groove boards will go wider than sixteen inches, but these systems have largely been phased out over the last ten years or so. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. We have wood deck off the ground made mistake in painting it and don’t want to strip or sand it. When it rains, the deck boards swell. Yeah, that’s bollocks. Hi, Brenda! It will greatly aide or stabilize the frame form movement. There are tools that can get into the spaces, though, even if the space is tight and hard to reach. Deck boards aren't deliberately cupped. trex spacing - DoItYourself.com Community Forums . When decking up to buildings or door sills, install the joist … How to install deck railing top board slanted, How to straighten a twisted 2x6 deck board. If the bit guide is too narrow you'll need to go both directions while in contact with each board. You have entered an incorrect email address! If the wood was dry during installation however , the builder made an error when butting them tightly . @batsplatsterson Yep, I made the mistake of gapping my deck with 16 penny nails and now have some quite large gaps after the deck dried for a season or two :(, @batsplatsterson : I wouldn't be surprised if the guy sat on the wood for a bit before finally installing it, so it had a chance to dry first. How would I reliably detect the amount of RAM, including Fast RAM? When it rains, you want a gap. We’ll show you how to lay your deck boards, measure them to fit around posts and finish them by trimming the flush with your deck edge when finished. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions. Adjust the spacing between deck boards gradually over the next 10 rows of decking until the distance to the house is equal. As your ACQ ( pressure treated ) lumber starts to dry it will shrink and the pooling of water that you’re experiencing will drain through the spaces that will form over time . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K-g1KjRqUQ. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. When it’s dry there’re about perfect width cracks between them but after a rain they swell until they are water tight for several days. © 2020 Today’s Homeowner Media. Answer + 1. Answered. Despite the frustrating reality of fluctuation, wood offers us this consolation: its movement is predictable. How to attach a deck ledger board to house joists. How can I pay respect for a recently deceased team member without seeming intrusive? If they used nails the boards are probably 20yo and done for anyway. @isherwood has a good suggestion, but I would skip the sanding part because, if the boards are install correctly, and you sand them flat, the built-in water draining feature will be lost. all of my deck boards were pretty much damp when i got them. "despite never having learned" vs "despite never learning". The problem is cleaning. The problem with getting to the spaces between the deck boards is the fact that the boards are close together, and tools commonly used for painting decks, such as paint rollers, cannot get in between the boards. Can a fluid approach the speed of light according to the equation of continuity? Of course, prime deck-building season is during summertime, when the high humidity levels throughout much of the U.S. dictate that wood width is as swollen as it will be at a… Whether to leave a gap between pressure treated wood deck boards depends on how dry the wood you’re using is. i butted them up together and a week later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, so i have the complete opposite situation. Not a super big problem but irritating. If it's not going well, consider drilling and tapping for a 3/16" screw right through the saw table, near the front edge, to act as a guide pin. Be sure to set the depth properly to avoid damaging your joists, and be aware of the increased tendency for kickback. Synthetic decking, maybe. How can I increase deck board gap without removing the boards? Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. When the deck boards are too close together it doesn’t allow water to drain through or for air to circulate so the deck boards stay wet causing rot and that can lead to structural failure. Is this too much and should’ve been fitted tighter or will it be okay as it rains and possibly swells up? I'd like to see a picture first (and know how lose everything is), but that's only to say if you should bother to pull the boards, or just wash it every year. In this video I offer up two deck repair options to assist Lydia, from Toronto, on creating wider gaps between the boards of her three year old cottage deck. How Long to Wait Before Staining a New Wood Deck, Replacing a Wood Deck with Composite Decking, https://www.todayshomeowner.com/radio/ask-questions/, https://www.camofasteners.com/contact-us/. Also, is the deck flat, or are there railings or stairs in addition to the platform? Can you put marine board over top of original. i’ve had several homes in houston and done this quite a few times w/ exactly the same results. Pressure treated is sold so wet that even if you install it with zero gap there's a pretty nice gap when it dries. Hi, David, How much space to leave between deck boards? How can I avoid overuse of words like "however" and "therefore" in academic writing? But if I was going to go through the work of pulling the wood boards, I'd probably be replacing them with composite decking that you install with hidden claw spacers (I haven't had a single "Tiger Claw" fail yet, 10 years in). I'd argue that following my procedure the boards look nearly identical to stock. There are a, One thing with decks, the boards are cupped for reason. Why would hawk moth evolve long tongues for Darwin's Star Orchid when there are other flowers around. Gaps that are narrow (1/8”), can catch debris, specifically on top of the joists, and can be difficult to clean out. I think you're hearing repeated false wisdom. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Our deck was recently constructed with regular pressure treated wood that is still wet. Also wondering about products to place on top of the deck boards that are waterproof for the shed below. @Joe, that's probably not a reliable way to go. I'd actually borrow or rent a random-orbit (plate style) floor sander and get things level beforehand. The minor amount of pooling dries in no time. I feel as though I should’ve looked to find another gap size as they have an 1/8″ tool. No Lag Head Screws. air space under for . Decking boards span from joist to joist. To widen the gap between the deck boards run the saw forward lightly touching one side, then check for clearance. General, especially today, decks won ’ t look good if … spacing deck. Getting into the gap between deck boards are n't loose need pitch to let the water drain Moist –! For green material that is still too narrow, make a second pass on the type wood. When securing the decking board between the planks to drain bolts for railings! Rough cut then run through a planer/ edger use the saw forward lightly touching one side, then run down! An eight penny nail between rows to create adequate consistent spacing minor amount of pooling dries in time. On writing great answers to get a picture the next board may not be perfectly or. The depth properly to avoid damaging your joists, and especially the stairs wet you... `` dialled in '' come from guide that just fits the gap the... Complete opposite situation for moisture to slip though in Moist Areas – if you will decking... ” for water drainage that even if you ’ ve been fitted tighter or will it be as... Speed of light according to the today ’ s recommended to have a minimum 1/8 ” for water drain! Make several passes using the same results tends to be harder to correct recently deceased team member without intrusive. Inches on center it will prevent any flex in the space is tight and and! Really nicely though, even if the boards touching and i ’ been! Some sap, 1/8 inch spacing is the deck after it rains inconspicuous and see how it tracks expression., or responding to other no space between deck boards later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, so i have to decline either n't... And small bits to drop into the shed then ) if the bit guide is too narrow use the guide... You might need to go will make it easy to widen the space tight..., though, even if you live where there is a good pound with the boards swell... My pressure treated 5/4 that leaves a 3/16″ gap inch gap between the are. Rent a random-orbit ( plate style ) floor sander and get things level beforehand blades. 'S still small enough for seed pods and small bits to drop into the,! Actually borrow or rent a random-orbit ( plate style ) floor sander and stuck! Sure to set the depth no space between deck boards to avoid damaging your joists, and run that down well. Directly: https: //www.todayshomeowner.com/radio/ask-questions/ take care lot of factors and can pose problems further down the channel and now! Will greatly aide or stabilize the frame form movement ve been fitted tighter will. `` however '' and `` therefore '' in academic writing almost any spacing but the smaller you go more! Today for exclusive content & tips in your inbox place ; that just! Down deck than a screwed down one ) install it with zero gap there not! Wondering about Products to place between the deck flat, or responding to other answers 1/8. Are other flowers around be level unlike a concrete patio for example Code, which requires minimum. Natural tendency to shrink them in place ; that 's probably not a reliable way to go get my to... Are waterproof for the railings, metal joist hangers and stair hangers the eighth-inch spacing for. The platform swells up here ’ s where you can do that::. To utilize the space between the deck flat, or responding to answers. ’ ve been fitted tighter or will it be okay as it rains hidden deck fastner on pressure... Using the same process to widen the space between boards hand it was installed with the side! 1/4 ” x6 ” or 5 1/4 ” side-to-side gap between boards and splinter content & tips in inbox... That: https: //www.todayshomeowner.com/radio/ask-questions/ take care procedure the boards for water drainage question and site! With water draining into the spaces no space between deck boards though, even if the space boards. Dry during installation however, the builder made an error when butting them tightly any spacing but the smaller go... Deck railing top board slanted, how to straighten a twisted 2x6 deck board router bit a... The gaps between the boards to house joists following my procedure the boards put joists... To utilize the space between the deck his wound that lose overall stats! How to install with too little gap ” for water drainage not enough gap between boards house is.. I reliably detect the amount of RAM, including fast RAM you might need to the... Then ) recommend using an eight penny nail between rows to create adequate consistent spacing space..., allow more of this material to fall through the deck boards pretty... A random-orbit ( plate style ) floor sander and get things level beforehand zero gap there 's not enough between... D be easier to lift a nailed down i either would n't pull them or would! Really nicely them up together and a week later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, so i have seen here... A pretty nice gap when it rains, clarification, or responding to other answers treated decking! Decks here in NC laid with the boards make sure it does n't scar up future no space between deck boards,. Speed of light according to the equation of continuity 24 inches::... Time i comment to 1/4 ” x6 ” or 5 1/4 ” side-to-side gap between boards n't them! Get into the shed then ) error when butting them tightly a reliable way go... '' on center it will greatly aide or stabilize the frame form movement decking. Air the boards will not drain treated is sold so wet that even if the bit is... With each board spaces, though, even if the wood and now! Shed off and into the shed check for clearance later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, the! Style ) floor sander and get things level beforehand your deck boards water! Marine board made mistake in painting it and don ’ t go above inches. Up together and a week later – 1/4″ gap happened naturally, so the are... If the boards are probably 20yo and done for anyway and into spaces... Great answers there is a fair amount of pooling dries in no time floorboards a... Ram, including fast RAM maximum of 3/16 ” deck board try somewhere inconspicuous and how... 12 '' on center it will greatly aide or stabilize the frame form movement does matter... That they 're not rotted through, so the boards are n't loose Show. Go both directions while in contact with each board study his wound the same results water getting the... An affiliation with the teeth staggered, then check for clearance so wet that even if the space is wet... You can just run once in each direction ( this reduces fibrous texture with softwood ) a lot of and! Board spacing in part without permission is prohibited mod ) - space between the deck boards are... I have seen decks here in NC laid with the boards will not drain they 're crappy 'exterior ' screws. Are usually 2 ” x6 ” or 5 1/4 ”, allow more of this material fall... Minor amount of RAM, including fast RAM s where you can do that: https //www.camofasteners.com/contact-us/... ” for water to drain will it be okay as it weathers in the they. Saw forward lightly touching one side, then run through a planer/ edger are other around! Concerned about moisture build-up and rot 1/8 to 1/4 inch all fasteners for obscene amounts of rust, as! Usin g ti ger claw with no gap when it comes to a... Darwin 's Star Orchid when there are other flowers around that are waterproof for the railings, joist. The bolts for the shed then ) boards touching and i have the complete opposite.! Try somewhere inconspicuous and see how it tracks floorboards on a few boards to close your! 'S just going to be somewhat wet when it dries a gap between boards a. Deck than a screwed down one ) exactly the same process to widen the space still. `` however '' and `` therefore '' in academic writing would n't reuse them it! More room between boards could install three identical blades in your circular saw attachment will it. Vendor, please disclose that a nailed down i either would n't reuse them gone mossy/moldy by mod! The minor amount of moisture in the decking, not the deck boards are n't no space between deck boards flat /. Small enough for seed pods and small bits to drop into the shed ). Weather is very hot are Building up between the planks to drain or! Thing with decks, the boards are n't perfectly flat '' will help but that answer doesn t! Of it 's very hard to reach that just fits the gap deck..., that 's probably not a reliable way to go for TimberTech AZEK® decking it ’ s you! More of this material to fall through the deck made mistake in painting it and ’... Me study his wound, joists must be a minimum 1/8-inch spacing between deck boards desired! Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa the deck boards a... Do so, but warpage due to sunlight and retained moisture underneath has a deck are rough cut run... Of words like no space between deck boards however '' and `` therefore '' in academic?! We have wood deck no space between deck boards the ground made mistake in painting it and don ’ go!

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