Properly installed wood-plastic composite decking will last a long time. It will create a durable and natural outdoor space. Composite decking combines wood and plastic. It looks and feels like wood but with less worry about weathering, insects, and decay. Look at the steps below for the proper installation of composite wood decking.
1. Planning and Preparation
- Test the Area: Measure the area where you want to build the deck. Make sure it’s clear of any obstacles and it must have drainage.
- The next best part is choosing materials. Pick composite wood decking Make sure they match your aesthetic and environmental needs. Buy extra materials like screws, joists, and a power drill.
- Get Tools: You need tape and a saw, a level, a chalk line, and some gloves and glasses.
2. Laying the Foundation
- Lay the groundwork: On soil, opt for a weed barrier topped with 2-3 inches of gravel to help with drainage. For new building sites, choose the surface. Make sure it’s flat and firm for existing structures.
- How to Install Joists: The joists are the foundation of your decking. Or for standard installations, using the same rule as with other types, space them 16 inches apart. Exact spacing is only a guideline. So, it is best to always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Anchor the joists with joist hangers and check if they’re level.
3. Installing the deck boards.
- Begin with the First Board: Position the initial composite deck board at the edge of the deck frame. Passage of air occurs beneath the boards. You can leave a small gap between the board and any adjacent structures. The gap helps absorb the boards’ expansion and contraction.
- Secure the boards. Attach them to the joists using deck screws or hidden fasteners. A cleaner aesthetic, with less chance of scuffing the surface with hidden fasteners. To install screws at a 90-degree angle and keep them flush with the board.
- Expansion and Drainage Spacing: Leave a 1/8- to 1/4-inch gap between boards for drainage and expansion. You can use spacers to maintain consistency.
4. Finishing Touches
- Fit all the boards, then slice the overhanging edges. Cut them the same way you did with the circular saw.
- Secure fascia boards across the edges of the deck. This hides the ends of the joists and gives the deck a smooth look.
- Much of the time, you may have to look and dust. Look at your deck for sticking-out nails and uneven boards. With the installation, clean the deck to remove the garbage or dust.