Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.
What is the standard size for deck boards?
Common deck board widths are 4”, 6” and 8”. The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces easily calculated into deck dimensions. Other widths may be used for aesthetics and effect.
What is the best size wood for decking?
Width: Six-inch wide boards are ideal in most cases. Four inch wide material takes longer to install, creates more gaps and requires a lot more fasteners—but you can use it. Eight inch wide boards, because of their greater width, have more of a tendency to crack and cup, avoid using them.
What is the best thickness for deck boards?
16” on center = Standard for residential decking applications. 12” on center is recommended for a sturdier underfoot feel, when using standard deck board thickness of 1”. 24” on center = Sometimes used for commercial applications such as docks and boardwalks, wider joist spacing requires greater deck board thickness.
Is 4×2 OK for decking?
4 x 2 Timber Rail / Joist. Pressure treated timber joists. These decking joists are the most common sized framing timber for decking. They provide a solid structure for fixing your decking boards too.
Can I use 1×6 for decking?
Never use 1×6 or 5/4×6 material in close to ground applications. Spacing between boards: You must allow space for your deck boards to expand when they take on moisture, as they will inevitably do when exposed to wet weather, rain or high humidity.
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What wood should I use for a deck?
Wood Materials
The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. Redwood and cedar are both naturally insect and rot resistant and have a natural look, but each has its own inherent issues.
Can I use 2×6 for deck boards?
Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.
Can I use 2×8 for deck joists?
2×8 for joists will be fine, with 16″ OC. Should use 2×10 for beams but 2×8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2×8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.
Can I use 2×6 joists for a deck?
You can use 2×6 as deck joists if the deck is low enough to the ground as not to require guard railing. When using S-P-F 2×6 deck joists, the span must not be greater than 9’0″ (2.73m) with joists at 16″ o.c. (400mm), and 9’10” (3.01m)with spacing at 12″ (300mm).
How thick should patio decking be?
The most commonly used thickness for deck construction is 1-1/4”. But you can also get boards 2” thick, while there are boards only ¾” thick. It depends on the material, how flexible it is, and its hardness rate.
How many deck boards do I need for a 12×12 deck?
For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists. 20 fasteners x 26 (number of rows of decking) = 520 fasteners. Add 10 percent to be safe.
Can you use 3×2 for decking base?
3×2 can be used but you’ll have to support it more frequently throughout its length, say every five feet or so.
What size timber do I need for a decking frame?
The frame The key to constructing a good decking area is the frame. If the decking is being built on a low level it should be built of C16 graded treated joists 45 mm by 95mm (4×2 approx.). However if you are building a raised deck you should use 45mm x 145mm joists.
Can you use 3×2 for decking frame?
Building a deck requires joists or framework that are fully treated to cope with all the extreme conditions for external use. Whether you require 3×2, 4×2 or even 6×2 we are able to supply the required timber for the job.
How thick is a 1×6 deck board?
Nominal vs. Actual
| 1x Lumber | |
|---|---|
| 1×6 | 3/4 x 5-1/2 |
| 1×8 | 3/4 x 7-1/4 |
| 1×10 | 3/4 x 9-1/4 |
| 1×12 | 3/4 x 11-1/4 |
What size is 5 4 decking?
5/4 Decking Actual Dimensions 1″ x 5.5.”
Can I use regular lumber for a deck?
Is it a good idea or is it a disaster waiting to happen? Yes, you can use untreated wood to build a deck, but not without preparing it first. You can’t, of course, pressure treat it yourself, but you will need to seal, the wood and stain/paint it to ensure the wood is ready to take on the harsh external weather.
How much does it cost to build a 20×20 deck?
The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10×10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14×20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20×20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.
What is the cheapest wood for decking?
Pressure Treated Wood Is a Solid, Cheap Decking Material.
The most economical decking material, by far, is pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is superior to regular wood because it has been infused with chemicals that help it resist decay and rot, as well as damage from certain types of insects.
What is the most cost effective decking material?
What’s the cheapest decking material? The cheapest decking material is usually pressure-treated pine, which can cost as little as $2 to $3 per square foot. There are solid wood and composite options that run $4 to $5 per square foot.
Is it better to use 2×6 or 2×8 for deck?
For upper-level decks, 2×10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards.
Can you use 1 inch boards for a deck?
For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s. The 5/4 decking (pronounced “five-quarter”), available in cedar and pressure-treated fir, is 1 inch thick and 5-1/2 inches wide with rounded edges that make for a splinter-free surface.
Should deck boards have a gap?
Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. 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. Deck spacing isn’t anything to take lightly.
How many decking boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?
For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.
How far can a 2×10 beam span without support?
How Far Can a 2×10 Beam or Header Span? A 2×10 beam – made up of two 2x10s nailed together – can span up to 11′ without support beneath a deck that is 4′ wide. For a more normal-sized deck, the same beam can span 8′, supporting a deck that is 8′ wide. You can also triple a 2×10 beam.
What size bearers and joists for a deck?
The bearers have to carry the weight of the entire deck and whatever is put on top of it, so they need to be strong. A 140×45 treated pine bearer will usually do the trick. Every 1.2 metres, a 90×90 H4 treated pine post will be needed.
Can I use 2×4 for deck joists?
The short answer is yes. 2x4s can work for deck joists. However, they aren’t ideal for spanning long distances without bending or breaking, so you have some limitations. Choosing 2x4s for a low-sitting deck is perfect for keeping your feet out of the mud.
How far can a 2×6 beam span on a deck?
Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches. If you will run decking at an angle, you might need to put the joists closer together.
How far apart should deck beams be?
Deck joist spacing should never exceed 16″ on center (with the exception of MAX deck boards, which allow for maximum 24″ on center). For a more rigid feel, 12″ or less may be preferred. If adding additional framing, be sure to keep all boards level and in plane across the tops.
How do you stagger deck boards?
A common method for staggering a deck is to start the first row with a full plank, then cut one-third of the next row’s first board off the end. The row after that has an additional one-third cut off and then repeat when you get back to a full board.
How do I figure out how many decking boards I need?
The first step for answering “how to calculate how much decking I need” is to determine your deck’s square footage, or area, by taking the length of your deck times the width (L x W). EXAMPLE: For a deck that is 16 feet long and 12 feet wide, multiply 16 by 12. This gives you 192 square feet, your deck’s total area.
How do I calculate decking materials?
Decking calculator equation
- Step 1: Calculate the surface area of your decking. Multiple the length (L) of your decking area by the width (W). …
- Step 2: Calculate the coverage of your deck boards. Add the deck board width (W) to the Expansion Gap Length (EGL). …
- Step 3: Calculate the number of boards required.
What timber is best for decking frame?
In general, pressure-treated timber is one of the best options for decking frames due to its cheap cost. Softwoods, such as Cedar and Redwood, are good choices for framing as well, especially if you want a more sustainable and safer option.
What timber should I use for decking joists?
The best timber for decking joists should be a kind that is resistant to termites, decay, or rot. Timbers like Cedar, Ironbark, Spotted Gum, and pressure-treated pines are good for making decking joists.
What do you put under decking?
A layer of crushed gravel, with or without plastic or weed barrier cloth, is the best choice for using under a deck. It sheds moisture instead of absorbing it, keeps the area under the deck drier, and won’t decay.