2007-02-10 23:47:04 · 14 answers · asked by steph s 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
It depends on whether you are laying it in summer or winter! In the winter, the decking swells with the wet. We laid ours in the summer, leaving a gap of about 5mm and by the time winter came, they had expanded and buckled up...
2007-02-10 23:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by mags w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what kind of decking. If it's the new recycled plastic type composite (like "Trex"), then I wouldn't leave any space between the adjacent boards. But if it's pressure treated wood, I would leave only an 1/8 inch because the gap may increase to 1/4 inch as the wood dries out after installation. Final gap should be no more than 1/4 inch after the wood dries.
2007-02-10 23:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spacing allows debris (leaves, dirt, etc) to fall through so that moisture doesn't get trapped between the deck boards. The spacing also allows air to circulate around the deck boards so that they don't stay in a constantly wet state. For natural wood decking material (cedar, redwood, ipe and the like) it is essential that the material is able to dry out otherwise it will rot prematurely. For composite deck materials, the spacing allows debris to fall through so that the deck is easier to clean. Expansion of the decking material has very little to do with the spacing in between deck boards. For a properly installed deck (with addequate airflow) the deck boards will contract over time as the moisture content in the wood decreases.
2016-03-29 01:58:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a decking nail as your spacer.....The gap should be just enough to let the air and water flow through. Also put the ribbed side facing down as that allows for air flow between it and the bearers. Oil the decking min. once a year.
Good luck
2007-02-10 23:59:17 · answer #4 · answered by The Fish 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Entirely up to individual requirements!
Some use a guide of 10mm spacing - some use 12mm spacing
I would suggest you use a spacing that will not allow a standard ball point pen to fall thru - that also stops ladies heeled shoes getting stuck in the gaps!
Also consider kids - do not leave enough room for them to stick their little fingers thru
2007-02-10 23:51:12 · answer #5 · answered by jamand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use a regular, #2 phillips screwdriver. Let the shaft hang between the boards while I screw the decking to the frame.
2007-02-11 00:00:30 · answer #6 · answered by Caveman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
6 to 10 mm
2007-02-11 05:47:53 · answer #7 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We measured out spacing by the nails we used. m
2007-02-11 04:00:19 · answer #8 · answered by Mache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/4" is generally the norm. Cut a board to that width and use it as a template as you screw them down.
2007-02-10 23:51:30 · answer #9 · answered by westbergindustries 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't bother having a dack, it's being found that they harbour rats underneath, especially when one holds barbeques on them.
2007-02-11 02:09:18 · answer #10 · answered by Angelfish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋