| INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Getting Started:
Careful planning of the finished deck layout will result in better looking finished projects.
- Joist location plays an important role in the safety of the deck itself but may also affect the ease, method and
price of your railing system.
- Before starting, read the instructions of both the decking and railing systems planned for the project.
- Remember that prefabricated rail systems often assemble faster than wood railing but they are less flexible
and do not assemble in the same way as wood rail systems. To enjoy the maximum benefit of prefabricated rail
systems, it is important to construct the deck framing with the specific rail system in mind.
- Thoroughly reading all instructions first will make for more profitable projects. Failure to do so may result in
more difficult installations.
Joists:
Joists used in deck frame construction should be 2”x 8” or larger. When using fiberon® Horizon joist mount
brackets, a 2”x 8” joist is required.
When installing deck boards perpendicular to the joists in residential applications, spacing is 16” on-center (figure
a). Commercial applications should be no more than 12” on-center. When the decking is to be laid diagonally,
reduce the on-center joist spacing by 4” (figure b). For special situations, or when in doubt, consult your local
building inspection department.
When installing heavy loads atop your decking project, a hot tub, for example, it is important to also understand
the requirements of the manufacturer as they may have specific framing and support requirements for their
warranty purposes.
Residential Joist Spacing
| When installing blocking for more intricate decking patterns,
remember that solid blocking (blocking laid on the flat) will inhibit
water flow and result in buildup of organic materials over time,
which will make cleaning more difficult. For best results when
blocking is required, it should be installed ladder style (figure c). |
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Board Spacing:
All decking materials, whether wood, composite or metal,
undergo some degree of linear expansion with the changes of
weather and the season. To compensate for the effects of
contraction and expansion, the following installation standards
must be maintained:
- 3/16” side to side spacing between the boards (figure d).
- 1/4” gap between the deck board and any solid structure such as a wall or post (figure d).
- 1/8” gap between board ends (figure e).
Adhering to these spacing parameters will:
- Promote proper drainage and ventilation.
- Aid in the removal of organic debris.
- Meet the requirements of the fiberon® warranty.
Fasteners:
The use of stainless steel fasteners is strongly recommended. Approved coated fasteners may also be used, but
their performance may not be as good as stainless steel. Plain, galvanized surface fasteners are not recommended.
REQUIREMENTS
Do not fasten within 1-1/2” of the end of a board. It is necessary to pre-drill end of board screw holes to prevent
immediate or eventual end splitting (figure f). Pre-drilling all holes, which will add time to the project, is not
necessary, but it will result in better looking finished projects.
Fasteners (Cont.)
| Fasteners should always be driven in at a 90 degree angle to the decking surface.
Toe nailing/screwing is not recommended (figure g). Instead, the
placement of an additional joist, when needed, is recommended to allow
perpendicular installation of fasteners
(figure h).
Clean, perfectly straight lines of fasteners look better than wobbly lines. Use white chalk, straight boards or string lines as templates for straight lines. DO NOT USE
COLORED CHALK. Colored chalk is designed to be permanent and will stain the
decking surface. There is no known way to remove colored chalk from decking.
All brands of fiberon® decking may be face fastened. Annual thread, ring shank and
spiral shank nails, of sufficient length, have excellent holding power and produce
good results. Gun nails may be used but, depending on the gun, the temperature of
the decking and other factors such as head type, head size and shank nail geometry,
guns may not produce optimal results. Test first.
Screws have superior holding power. Conventional bugle head decking screws
produce solid connections but have a tendency to cause mushrooming. The
mushrooms may be left as is, flattened or removed (pat down with a rubber mallet),
as desired.
For a cleaner look, stainless steel screws with small casing or finish style heads
can produce nearly invisible results. Achieving this look is possible with screws
designed specifically for composite decks. Available commercially, in home centers
and hardware stores, these screws are engineered specifically to work with
composite decking and prevent mushrooming, resulting in better looking finished
projects (figure i).
For the most attractive installations, approved commercially available hidden
fastener systems may be used. Always read the usage instructions of the specific
fastener manufacturer thoroughly before beginning installation. It is always
prudent to test the particular fastener, ensuring the appearance is acceptable to the
owner, as different fasteners produce different looks. Most require pre-drilling to
eliminate bubbling of the surface of the dense decking material. |
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Fiberon Tropics
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