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You need to use one clip on every joist, and as you screw into the joist, the clips will draw the boards together. These will give your deck a seamless appearance and are just as easy to install. This allows you to slide and lock in your first board before turning to the universal clips. Clean cutting the edges of your deck boards before installation can have a significant impact on the appearance.įor Trex grooved decking or similar composite systems, you’ll want to take your starter clips and screw them along the joist to start your first board. While this may seem like an unnecessary step, factory edges aren’t always clean and square. The company also recommends clean cutting the ends of your deck boards before installing Trex decking. This allows you to put together a pattern that’s pleasing to your eye and is important when dealing with variegated colors. Their Escape lineup has a slightly different method, and we’re only covering deck boards in this piece, not fascia boards, lighting, or railing.Īfter unboxing your material, you’ll want to mix up the boards and lay them out. Trex has four different collections of deck boards, but the installation process generally stays the same. Always use the proper bracing, anchors, and carriage bolts when screwing the post to a joist. You can typically go 6 feet between each post, but it’s better to check beforehand.
#TREX DECKING INSTALLATION CODE#
When it comes to posts, you’ll want to make sure they are evenly spaced and set based on the code in your area. Regardless, you still need to seal any cut ends with any type of composite deck board. With proper planning, you can keep those ends to a minimum, but picture framing your deck is also an option. Depending on the quality of the product and brand, the color may not go all the way through the deck board. It’s also a good idea to consider any end cuts ahead of time.
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Make sure your joists are properly centered at 16” apart and consider any stair stringers or decking accents as well. This prevents moisture from accumulating and becoming trapped, which can cause pressure-treated wood to deteriorate well ahead of schedule. If you haven’t used butyl tape along the joists, now is the time to do that. You can fix this with a line and a hand or powered planer. Are your joists completely level across the deck, or do you have a few stragglers that are a little higher or lower? Well, that could result in a wavy deck considering composite decking isn’t as rigid as wood. This is a good time to take a look at your deck frame and the joists.