You usually need to hire a professional contractor to install Trex decking, and you may have to pay for architectural blueprints. However, we’ve gathered all the information necessary to make constructing a deck easier.
With less common knowledge about building anything besides timber decking, it can sound like a different concept entirely when it comes to composite decking. Discover your motivation and learn the main steps of the deck-building process with our instructional article.
What Is Composite Decking?
The wood portion contains lumber industry biproducts, such as wood fibers, sawdust, and chips, and plastic may consist of shredded polyethylene from milk jugs and shopping bags. The resulting deck boards last longer than standard wood decking and are easy to maintain.
How much does composite decking cost?
Installing the deck yourself is a great way to save on your composite deck costs. Many DIYers prefer composite decking for its longevity and efficiency. New composite material is cooler on bare feet than wood, low-maintenance, and relatively invulnerable to weather.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions when building with the composite decking material is paramount. The composite deck changes its size due to temperature. It will grow longer and shorter as temperatures rise and fall; therefore, follow correct spacing to prevent warping.
Types Of Composite Decking
- Solid Composite Decking – Solid composite decking is solid with no material reduction designs. They look more like natural lumber. Solid composite boards are firm and durable, used often to make permanent floors for houses, offices, and hotels.
- Hollow Composite Decking – It’s a decking that has holes inside them, making them a lightweight option for a composite deck. The holes in the decking also help it to grow and shrink smoothly. End caps are used to cover the ends of hollow boards.
Whatever the type of composite decking, both will give you a solid and long-lasting deck. The product must be treated with a preservative and antifungal chemical. Your timber will rot gradually when exposed to weather conditions without treatment.
Steps For Building A Composite Deck
Before Starting
Opt for lighter boards to maintain a cooler deck. The lighter the colour of your boards, the less heat they absorb in direct sunlight.
Preparing The Ground
If you’re building your own deck over the lawn, outline the area with pegs and builder lines. Remove the grass and excavate the soil about 2 inches deep. Cover the area with a layer of weed control fabric to control damaging weeds from rising through to your decking boards. Then add 2 inches of gravel on top to help with proper drainage of water. Then put paving stones over the gravel, which will adequately reinforce the joists and maintain the deck. Place a spirit level to ensure the stones are all on the same level.
If you want to build your composite deck beside your house, ensure it’s not less than 6inches below the damp-proof course and that you don’t conceal any air bricks. You also have to elevate your frame away from the surface by installing it on a network of pedestals to avoid compromising the roof’s waterproof membrane.
Building The Deck Frame
The vital part of your framework is the bearers – the strong timbers that support the deck. They carry most of the weight from the decking and ensure your finished deck is secure and stable.
Determine Deck Spacing
- Joist spacing – Deck joist spacing must never exceed 16 inches on the center. Local building codes may set a joist spacing. It is advisable to check in with your local building department to meet their requirements.
- Butt-end spacing – Boards expand during the hot season and shrink during the cold season, so monitor the thermometer throughout the installation. Observe the manufacturer’s spacing specs to deter your boards from damage.
- Edge spacing – A general benchmark with edge spacing is not to allow the spacing to be overly distant, that it is a risk, and not too narrow that debris or water to become stuck. You can use 16d nails to allocate the between-board spacing. With a hidden fastening system, the spacing is fixed for you.
Shape Your Deck Plan Using Deck Boards
Square Your Deck Frame With A Ledger Board
Attach And Protect The Ledger
After fastening the board to the exterior sheathing, apply silicone caulk along the seam where the ledger meets the house. Then install metal flashing across the entire length of the top of the ledger. Drive roofing nails through the flashing’s top edge every 8 inches.
After adequately establishing the flashing, install the siding above the ledger as needed. Slip the siding up under the siding board above. Use the 1-1/4″ spacer board to position the siding at the correct height and drive nails to fasten it.
Use joist hanger nails to affix concealed-flange double joist hangers at both ends of the ledger and flush with its bottom edge.
Install A Diagonal Brace
A diagonal decking does not need sway bracing.
Smooth Out The Joists
Mounting The Railing Posts
Determine The Post-Spacing
Cut The Posts
Install Deck Bracing
Install the Posts
Mark The Joists And Drill The Holes
Tilting the holes prevents the post from splitting along the grain lines.
Install Anchor Bracing
Each post should have two carriage bolts, but only one anchor.
Brace The Rim Joist
Laying The Deck Boards
Hidden fasteners work best for securing composite planking and can be bought at any home improvement store.
Fasten Start/Stop clips
Lay The First Board
Screw the special clips into the first board and the frame’s joists. Make sure the screw holes are aligned with the joists’ centers and that you utilize one clip per board at butt joints and at board ends and each joist.
To estimate the number of clips you must have, multiply the number of deck boards by the number of joists.
Install The Rest Of The Composite Decking Boards
Repeat this process for each successive decking board until you’re left with just the final decking board to lay.
Cut Holes For Posts In The Boards
Install The Last Board
Set the board and secure it with decking screws. You can use identical fascia boards to cover the ends of your composite boards, though this is non-mandatory.
Trim The Boards
If you’re establishing skirting, leave a 1-1/4-inch overhang. Skirting isn’t required, though it looks pleasant. You can trim the framing so it inclines upwards towards the deck’s surface, then sheathes it with composite boards.
Otherwise, you can trim the decking flush with the joists if you do not intend to install a skirt. On the last deck board, you’ll need to cut it to work and then cut a groove into the board with a router.
Fit The Parting Boards
You may have to use an extra joist to brace these boards. This can be achieved by picking up a piece of lumber the same length as the deck, laying it in the gap you trim.
Secure All The Boards
Note: It’s better to position all the screws first because adding the clips can make you forget what you’ve already finished.
Installing Composite Railings
Slide On The Post Sleeves
Glue Post Sleeve Collars
Measure And Mark the Bottom Rail
Cut The Rails To Length
Secure A Crush Block
Ensure the holes in the bottom rail face upwards.
Trace The Bottom Bracket
Install The Bottom Bracket
Attach The Brackets And Balusters
Like you did on the bottom railing, set and trace the bracket position. Repeat the installation steps, tracing the screw holes and drilling them out. Then put the flanges.
Connect the railing to the brackets and balusters
Things To Remember
- A building permit is not needed if your deck project is lower than two feet above grade and doesn’t have a roof. But, if your deck will include a roof that’ll be attached to your house, permits will be mandated.
- It is necessary to work safely and avoid risks. Wear protective clothes, gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask.
- Let the composite boards sit in your area a day or two to acclimate to your local temperature and conditions before initiating work.
- Don’t install your DIY deck during the cold season.
- Composite boards must be predrilled to lessen the chance of splitting or cracking. Due to similar reasons, nail guns are not advised for building a composite deck.
- Never use random-length boards and butt-joint them together.
- You don’t need to adhere to one product or appearance for the entire deck. You can lay perimeter boards the same colour as the railing or opt for a different post colour.
Conclusion
You may also call and hire your local builders for assistance and a better deck finish.
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