Exterior deck
Exterior deck
(OP)
In the attached deck detail, it specifies no gaps between the p.t. boards. Is that accepted practice? I thought that there should be gaps to allow drainage and avoid wood rot (even p.t. wood will eventually rot).






RE: Exterior deck
Especially odd; the section is drawn with visible gaps.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
In addition to the shrinkage that will occur, the other problem is 5/4 boards are never straight. You can bend them however you like, but one must be practical. If this designer wants no gaps, they need to consider a different finish that goes over sloped treated plywood.
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
Man made 5/4 deck boards, such as the "Trex" brand provide better looks and durability than typical pressure treated decking. All members are straight, uniform quality (no knots), do not require maintenance (painting or staining). They are typically the same width as wood decking (nominal 6", actual 5 1/2") and they do require intentional gaps between boards. Initial cost is higher than pressure treated decking and they will uniformly change color due to weather in the first year, or so. If life cycle cost is considered, they are competitive with pressure treated decking.
Here is a link that lists several brands, Trex is the only one that I have first hand experience with:
http://www.deckspecialists.com/composite_deckmater...
www.SlideRuleEra.net
www.VacuumTubeEra.net
RE: Exterior deck
I couldn't find anything in a quick search. Is that designed for vertical load? What is the capacity?
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Exterior deck
RE: Exterior deck
The rain water will accumulate on the deck (perhaps not a problem in an area of little rainfall like Arizona or the dessert). CANPRO, if you are installing them tight and it has not rotted, I have 2 questions: a)is it real wood and b) how old is it?
RE: Exterior deck
I was taught to build decks this way by my father (30+ years as a carpenter). He built the deck on my family home this way 20+ years ago and the decking is not rotten. It gets some fresh stain every few years as it should. All the decks now have slight gaps in between the boards and drain freely.
RE: Exterior deck
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/decks/deck_...
RE: Exterior deck
I've never used kiln dried untreated wood, sounds like you'd want to space those boards.
RE: Exterior deck