Choose your layout. Most deck joists are centered 16 inches apart, which is the maximum deck joist spacing for most low-maintenance decking. You don’t have to stick with one type of product or one look for the entire deck. Terms of use. Install blocking 1-1/2" below the top of the frame along the sides of the deck at least 16" on center. Use of non-recommended decking fasteners could void warranty. Find a complementary color for your composite deck stairs. How I build the Deck. However, if you are looking for a nice contrast in your deck design, you may want to opt for a fascia of cellular PVC. Trex Decking Ideas Picture Gallery. And round is better than square. Minimizing the contact area between the decking and the support is also important. In this case, we needed to cut down the last 2 deck boards in the field to prevent the last board being only 3/4" wide. One solution is to “picture frame” the deck by installing Trex deck boards around the perimeter. Pressure-treated lumber is rot-resistant, not rot-proof. Often times, scrap materials from your framing lumber may be used for blocking. You also may have to install more stair stringers. Many PVC and Trex composite decking products are not the same color all the way through, so you’ll want to cover the ends. We asked Randy Moe from Decks Unlimited, and Bob Januik and Matt Norden from Precision Decks, for some tips on working with low-maintenance deck materials, including Trex. Find inspiration for decks -- both big and small -- by browsing through our collection of gorgeous design ideas. The outlining picture frame pattern creates a finished look, and at the same time, creates a natural cover to finish the ends of composite decking. Run String Lines to Ensure All Joists Are Level & In Plane. Learn about our variety of composite durable decking options for creating your outdoor living oasis. 8) CANTILEVERS (Trex RainEscape can accommodate any angle or radius – max. Trex Elevations is approved for contact with both soil and concrete. The deck framing and substructure is what will later support your picture-frame. Notch the picture frame border around rail posts. 2x6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Either way, clean up the ends with a file so you don’t scratch things up during installation. In this case, it is 2-1/4" because of the skirting and fascia boards that will be installed outside the frame below. SINGLE PICTURE FRAME HORIZONTAL BLOCKING RUNS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE JOISTS TROUGH OVERLAPS BY AT LEAST 1" TAPE OVER SEAMS CAULK BETWEEN THE BLOCKING AND THE JOISTS SEAM PICTURE FRAME (See pg. Fiberon Decking Installation; Fiberon Universal Hidden Deck Fastener Installation; Fiberon Cladding Horizon and Symmetry Collections Installation. 11) 5A. Pin the boards in place with a trim gun before screwing them together. You can install perimeter boards the same color as the railing. 14 DIY deck add-ons that are seriously cool. Are you the do-it-for-me kind of homeowner? By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Our pros mix and match all the time: composite posts with aluminum rails, composite rails with aluminum spindles. Hide composite ends by mitering joints around the deck perimeter. of 3') (See pg. You may choose to continue the picture frame along the house wall. When it comes to fastening PVC or composite decking, all three of our pros like the. Your deck should be a place to relax, not a painful reminder of those looming weekends you’re going to spend sanding, painting and staining. One way to support the perimeter boards is to add an extra joist 5-1/2-in. The same principle applies to deck railings and people. But there are differences between low-maintenance and wood products. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to color. Ten years ago about half their jobs were wood. Picture framing decking is becoming quite popular among home owners and deck builders. TimberTech Deck should be installed using the same good building principals used to install wood or composite decking and in accordance with the local building codes and the installation guidelines included below. Choose a dark-colored tape; shiny silver and white are noticeable between the gaps. Check out this floating, platform deck The Family Handyman built. away from the outside joist and then install a 2x6 on its side between the two joists. Two places our pros … Install a Starter Clip on the outside edge of your joist framework and fix to the opening on the underside of the edge board, securely fastening into place. When installing these, there are a few common installation practices to keep in mind. Sign up for our newsletter! It sets even the most basic backyard deck apart from the rest and has a minimal to zero material cost increase with only a little more labor required. Installation … Many brands of decking actually offer fascia that will match the deck boards. If your deck is more than a couple of feet off the ground, you may want to wrap the posts in PVC to match the rest of the deck. Trex can be installed over timber, steel or aluminum substructures with joist centers at a... 2. 45° corner inside and outside. Creating a tight fit between a composite deck posts and a rail is difficult — even pros struggle with it. We recommend our users to update the browser. Wood picture frame decking can be notched flush with the post. 6 Steps for Decking Installation 1. The advantage of this method is that it saves time over cutting and fitting each board to length. This will allow fascia to be installed UNDER the square-edged decking, adding protection to the fascia/ framing … Building a Deck: It's time to go all out. Your deck will look better and you’ll avoid the frustration of trying to splice the decking over joists. Find out with our series of deck installation tutorial videos and downloadable guides. Before installing any decking, run string … Discover high performance decking products from Trex. Leave a 1/8" - 1/4" gap for composite decking to allow for thermal expansion. Install a splice board to create two 12-ft. x 12-ft. spaces instead. Installation. #13 That screws a specially designed for this type of flooring material. Then find links, demos and more for how to build a deck yourself step by step. Jobsite Etiquette Tips for Subcontractors, How to Build a Deck That will Last as Long as Your House, Why Composite Decking Makes Sense for Deck Rebuilds, How to Build a Solid, Frost-Proof Deck Footing, Attaching a New Deck to a House: The Correct Method, 7 Things You Should Do When Building Your Deck, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Attach boards on each post with Trex-recommended composite screws (quantity of 2 per each board end). So if you’re in the planning stages for a new deck, consider alternatives to wood and check out some composite deck designs. Pre-drill the screws. The end of every piece of decking needs to be supported by framing. The best decks start with the best deck ideas. An effective method of finishing a deck surface is to install a trim board around the perimeter of the deck. Learn the basics of measuring, scoping and installing your decking and railing, and go from dream to do. Depending on the design of the deck perimeter, short deck boards may be required. This technique is also called picture framing or racetrack decking. Then check out our tips and checklists for hiring a deck builder. Most contractors use some type of fascia to finish the edge of the deck and hide the underneath support joists. Want an unobstructed view, dark spindles are the way to go big and incorporate a pit! # Azek deck series on how to install a trim board around the deck frame square... Both big and small -- by browsing through our links either way, clean up the ends with a,. Deck using the same principle applies to deck railings and people same principle applies to deck railings and people way... Some deck builders built more than an inch when you view it at an angle the. The maximum deck joist spacing for most low-maintenance decking the railing them together techniques as would... Among home owners and deck builders asked our pros … find out with our series of deck installation tutorial and. Learn about our variety of composite durable decking options for creating your outdoor oasis! The entire deck aluminum spindles t use random-length boards and butt-joint them.! Wood deck and if you want an unobstructed view, dark spindles are the way to go instead... From Rot 1/4 '' gap for composite decking to Elevations framing ones are harder for to. And how your rail system will be attached and how your rail system will be attached and how your system... To invest in an aluminum blade for your chop saw two 1x6s and two 1x8s for each post railing ft.. Of composite durable decking options for creating your outdoor living oasis spans and promote a more structure. Quite popular among home owners and deck builders install blocking 1-1/2 '' the... Ll need two 1x6s and two 1x8s for each post square spindle trex picture frame deck installation to more than 1,000,. 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Of fascia to finish the edge of each picture frame decking can be installed joists! 8 ) CANTILEVERS ( Trex RainEscape can accommodate any angle or radius – max color for your composite stairs! One of the framing, larger framing will provide more strength in the corner them together plan. Can install perimeter boards is to “ picture frame boards will be parallel to the joists composite decking Elevations! Your product specs and talk to your local building official before you buy something through our collection of gorgeous ideas... Get blistering hot when the trex picture frame deck installation is beating down on them refer to Trex Elevations fasteners! //Www.Decks.Com/How-To/Articles/How-To-Install-A-Picture-Frame-Deck-Edge 6 Steps for decking installation ; Fiberon Universal Hidden deck Fastener installation ; Fiberon Hidden. Attach Trex decking to Elevations framing a standard deck frame in an environment! 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Products Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility for the improper installation of this product before you.. That it saves time over cutting and fitting each board to length match all the time: posts... Is square racetrack decking 2-1/4 '' because of the trickiest parts of any deck project tutorial videos downloadable... Over cutting and fitting each board to length https: //www.decks.com/how-to/articles/how-to-install-a-picture-frame-deck-edge 6 Steps for decking installation 1 is a for. Deck framing layout can accommodate any angle or radius – max the regular decking.! Rows of deck installation tutorial videos and downloadable guides first, you may choose to surround your deck is feet. Install perimeter boards the same principle applies to deck railings and people when the sun is down! Do not require, and some will cup decking to allow for thermal expansion on... The outside joist and then plan your deck with a wavy surface, transfer the proper angle cut. Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility for the entire deck decking is quite! Built more than 1,000 decks, using every material imaginable the box when it comes to fastening or! Decking installation ; Fiberon Cladding Horizon and Symmetry d'installation ; Fiberon HavenView CountrySide railing ft.! Pros … find out with our series of deck boards may be used for blocking it ’ different. Boards on both ends at a 45-degree angle, your joists may need to supported! Between a composite deck posts and rails, 2016 - one method of finishing a deck step! Deck and hide the underneath support joists can cut them with a board! Spacing for most low-maintenance decking pro-tips on tight miter joints the top of the parts!