In what direction should decking boards be placed (horizontal / vertical) compared to the deck? The boards are usually placed horizontally perpendicular to the adjacent wall. This choice is above all aesthetic, but it also important to be sure that the direction of the boards does not hinder water drainage.
Full Answer
What direction should decking boards run?
The answer is: The direction in which decking boards run is dependent on the joists. If the deck is attached to the house, then the decking boards will run parallel to the house since the joists must run vertically. In situations where the deck is not attached to the house, the decking boards could run perpendicular.
Should decking be applied diagonally or vertically?
For decks that are over 20’ wide, you should consider applying your decking diagonally to minimize butt joints. There are many interesting and creative ways to apply decking.
Should decking boards be placed parallel to the joists?
If placed parallel to the joists, the boards would not hold sufficient weight and could potentially ‘fall through’ which could cause serious injury. You should also install decking boards ridge side down. This allows air to circulate underneath the boards and helps with water drainage.
What type of decking boards should I use?
The materials you use for decking boards will dictate how they are installed, though there are some similarities regardless. Most likely you will use pressure-treated wood planks or Trex-style deck boards. The ‘best’ (and safest) way to lay decking boards is as follows:
Does it matter which way you lay decking boards?
“The proper way to install a decking board is ridge side down.” The ridges are designed to allow for airflow, to stop moisture sitting in the ridge, and allow for a stronger structure. These lead to a less slippery deck as the moisture can drain better, and it can air dry.
Should decking be laid horizontal or vertical?
For all the decks in build, i will run the decking boards running vertical to your doors as this gives your eyes a nice smooth path to follow to the end of your deck where you might have a water feature or pots etc.
Should deck boards be parallel or perpendicular to house?
The default direction decking runs on an attached deck is parallel with the house. A few reasons for this are deck framing construction, water runoff and appearance. Decking running parallel to the house is beneficial structurally, aesthetically and costwise.
Which way round do decking boards go?
ridge side downHowever, every decking timber manufacturer will tell you: the proper way to install a board is ridge side down. The ridges, they say, were designed to let air circulate underneath the boards. This, according to them, prevents the buildup of moisture and, consequently, of mould.
Why are decking boards grooved?
What are decking grooves for? The grooves or reeds on a decking board are not there as an anti-slip measure, nor are they there to make your decking look prettier. They are designed to allow for airflow underneath the boards to stop moisture and mould build up.
Do deck boards need to be staggered?
Staggering the deck boards decreases the number of screws or nails going into one joist, which can weaken or rot the joist more quickly. Staggering the joints strengthens the deck by spreading the seams across more joists instead of placing the stress on only one.
Can deck boards be perpendicular to house?
Decking boards are installed across the joists (either at a 90 degrees or 45 degrees to the joists), eliminating the possibility for installation at a right angle to the house. There are two ways to change this deck design to allow for perpendicular decking board installation.
What should you not do when building a deck?
12 Deck Building Mistakes to AvoidBeing Inattentive to Local Deck Building Code.Building Inadequate Deck Post Footers.Attaching the Beam to the Sides of the Support Posts.Incorrectly Spacing the Joists.Installing the Wrong Deck Boards for Your Use.Attaching the Ledger Board Directly to the Siding.More items...•
Can you run deck boards in same direction as joists?
You will no longer be able to install the decking parallel to the house because the decking must run over the tops of the joists for support. You will need to either install your decking in the opposite direction of the joists or install the decking at a 45-degree angle.
Are decking boards reversible?
Reversible Decking Most call this decking board reversible because it's Ribbed/Reeded on one side and grooved on the other with eased corners. You should only install this with the reeded side facing down and thus not a truly reversible board. This profile of decking is difficult to maintain due to the deep grooves.
How do you lay decking boards?
12:3215:28How to Lay Decking with Wickes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow fix a sixty four millimeter decking screw into the second groove securing. The deck board to theMoreNow fix a sixty four millimeter decking screw into the second groove securing. The deck board to the joist beneath. Repeat this process at the opposite end. This will ensure your board is straight.
What is the gap between decking boards?
1/8 of an inchDetermining Deck Board Spacing When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you're using decking that's already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn't been dried down or kiln dried.
Why should deck boards be level?
The deck itself should be ‘level’ (apart from the applicable grading) to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. Decking boards are always laid flat side down with a slight gap to allow for both expansion and water run-off.
How many inches should a deck be?
For a deck to meet building code requirements, the joists should: be 16 to 24 inches on center, depending on the material of the deck boards you are using. span 1.5 times in feet whatever their depth in inches happens to be. be suitable to the size of the deck – in other words, the bigger the deck, the larger the joists.
How to maintain consistency on a deck?
The best way to maintain consistency is to use a spacer tool throughout the entire deck. When using pressure-treated lumber, you should leave less of a gap – about 1/16” instead. The reason being that the wood is often wet when you install it, therefore you must set the boards more snuggly together.
Do you have to run deck boards perpendicular to joists?
Yes, it matters which way you lay decking boards as you must run the boards perpendicular to the joists. Otherwise, the deck will not be structurally sound. If placed parallel to the joists, the boards would not hold sufficient weight and could potentially ‘fall through’ which could cause serious injury.
Do decking boards run parallel to the house?
The answer is: The direction in which decking boards run is dependent on the joists. If the deck is attached to the house, then the decking boards will run parallel to the house since the joists must run vertically. In situations where the deck is not attached to the house, the decking boards could run perpendicular.
Can a deck be vertically or horizontally?
If the deck is not attached to the house, then the decking boards could run either vertically or horizontally. It all depends on how the detached deck was framed and the joists are running. I hope this article has provided you with information you seek.
Can you use Trex deck boards?
Most likely you will use pressure-treated wood planks or Trex-style deck boards. The ‘best’ (and safest) way to lay decking boards is as follows: Trex boards can be screwed down using special Trex screws or you can do what I did. Trex and other man-made materials like Trex now have grooves on their sides.
What determines the direction of decking?
The size of the deck Is another factor that determines what direction do you lay decking boards. Dependent on the size of your planned decking, it is desirable to have full length deck boards (with no cuts or joins) that run the entire length or width of the deck. Using full length boards, the stronger the decking will be.
How do I lay a decking board?
Once you know the deck is square, firstly lay the longest board in the centre from corner to corner. Keeping to one side, continue you to cut and lay each decking board working from the centre out. Then repeat the same for the other half.
How much slope should I use for a deck?
The rule of thumb for the slope is a ratio of 1:100, this simply means a 10mm fall for every 1 metre of the deck. So (for example) your deck is 3 metres long, it will need a fall of 30mm. If your going to use smooth decking boards like these…. Then a slope is not required to be built into the decks structure.
How much spacing between boards for rain?
As long as there is adequate spacing (5-10mm) between the boards, rain will find its way off the boards very easily, usually dripping off the sides. There is always an argument that no slope is needed if there is ample spacing between the boards, regardless of which board you use.
How far apart should I lay deck joists?
To lay a deck this way, joist have to be set no wider than 300mm apart, so you may need one or two more joists extra. Once the frame is built, make sure it is completely square by measuring from corner to corner making sure the measurements are exactly the same.
Why run boards parallel to the length?
Running the boards parallel to the length is always desirable, it gives the deck a much bigger look. If you run the boards parallel to the width, it tends to give the deck a stumpy look , not very desirable.
Do decks collect water?
A huge amount, to be honest. Think of your future deck as a flat roof on the floor. Like a flat roof, a deck covers a vast area which means it will collect alot of water when it rains. Luckily roofs have gutters which collect water and take it away.
What is diagonal decking?
Diagonal decking adds a distinct character to your deck and can emphasize a view or affect how people move through the space. For decks that are over 20’ wide, you should consider applying your decking diagonally to minimize butt joints. Herringbone Decking:
How much spacing should I use for deck joists?
Depending on the decking material you are using, you may need to reduce your joist spacing to 12” on center to help support the diagonal span. Some deck builders will tell you that applying decking diagonally will increase your waste factor by 15 percent. We believe you can do much better than that with some planning.
How many screws should I use to fasten deck boards?
You can then proceed to lay your deck boards parallel to the house over the joists. Deck boards should be fastened at every joist by two nails, two screws, or some kind of hidden fastener system. Make sure your fasteners are the correct size and compatible with the decking material you're using.
How wide is a composite deck?
Wood deck boards are usually available in 2’ increments while most composite decking materials are limited to 12’, 16’ or 20’. Depending on the width of your deck, this could result in a large amount of wasted material. Plan for efficiency and you will save yourself some money at the end of the project.
Why is it important to square a deck?
It is important to square the decking in order to maintain a consistent angle across the surface. You can allow the ends of the boards to hang over the frame until the end so you can use a single pass with a circular saw to achieve a consistent edge.
Is curved inlay decking difficult to build?
Curved inlays are very difficult to build even for professional builers. Find a pattern that is attractive and practical to build. Decking inlays always require a lot of vertical blocking in between joists because most decking materials can only overhang 3" beyond a joist.
Can you splice deck boards over joists?
However, if your deck runs longer, you will want to splice the deck boards over a joist. You may want to stagger the butt joints as best you can in different positions to reduce their visibility or use a division board to control or concentrate them in one logical location.
What is the purpose of spacing between deck boards?
Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions. The primary function is to drain water from the deck. Gaps that are narrow (1/8”), can catch debris, specifically on top of the joists, and can be difficult to clean out. Larger gaps, such as 1/4”, allow more of this material to fall through the deck.
What size joists should I use for a diagonal deck?
You may be required to install 12" on center joists for diagonal decking. For many years, decking was primarily wood. People used redwood, cedar, pressure-treated pine and even some exotic hardwoods. Wood has some beautiful natural characteristics, but also requires some maintenance.
How often should I stain a deck?
Wood decking will require you to stain your deck at least every year for the first several years to protect the surface from sun and moisture damage. When the decking is installed, it is usually high in moisture content, which can lead to cracks in the wood if it is allowed to dry too quickly.
What is decking made of?
There are over a hundred different man-made decking products on the market today. Most are composed of wood-plastic composite, capped composite, vinyl and aluminum. They offer low-maintenance and a variety of appearances. YouTube.
Is ventilation necessary for a deck?
Ventilation below the deck is also enhanced by the gaps between the deck boards, but this is only important in ground-level decks. For lumber decking, both the moisture content of the lumber and the environment its installed in matter.

Weather
Where Is The Deck Being placed?
- Adjoined To The House
I remember a previous decking job I took on which had an ongoing argument going on between a couple over what direction do you lay decking boards. They wanted their deck to be built off the house and that the wife wanted the boards to run parallel to their house, also the same direction … - In The Garden
Building your deck in the garden , you can literally run the decking boards anyway you want. I would still suggest adding a slope if yourgoing to use the groove typed boardsjust to help with natural drainage.
The Size of Your Desired Decking
- The size of the deck Is another factor that determines what direction do you lay decking boards. Dependent on the size of your planned decking, it is desirable to have full length deck boards (with no cuts or joins) that run the entire length or width of the deck. Using full length boards, the stronger the decking will be. Full continuous lengths will also keep warping and twisting to a min…
Your Own Preference (Design etc).
- Hopefully by now you understand that you can literally run decking boards in any direction you want. Instead of using the horizontal and perpendicular layouts, there other directions you can lay the decking boards.
The cost.
- Be aware that if you decide to go with a design other than a standard layout you will need to re-plan your decking structure. That means adding more joistsand maybe another bearer or two. Adding to the cost of your build, but hey, in my opinion spending that little bit more and falling in love with you deck, then it’s worth it. Same goes if your overhauling a previously built deck. Don’…