End Grain Orientation of Pressure Treated Decking
I am about to resurface my deck with 2×6 premium pressure treated boards. As I research best techniques, I am confused by an apparent division of opinion on the best orientation to lay the boards to avoid possible cupping, trapping water on them. About half say you should orient the end grain so the the bark side is down (end grain rings are smiling at you), while the other half say that you should install the boards so that the bark side is up (end grain rings are frowning at you). I plan to use hidden fasteners that involve angled side screws using the Camo system.
Does anyone have a definitive answer? Is there a definitive authority on this? It is surprising to see how strongly both sides of this are argued. Thanks for your thoughts.
Replies
there's no definitive answer, however, the concept of the grain sides "frowning" is if the board twists/moves/cups, the surface would still allow for drainage.
My real question is why 2x6 pressure treated? usually 5/4 by 6 bull nosed pressure treated is used for decking, 2x6 is framing material. Since it's framing, it may not stand up too well to standing water on it and will get splinters as it ages.
I'd also be looking at the cost of 2x6 vs. 5/4 x 6 bull nose.
good luck
I quit using PT for decks years ago. I also use the Camo system which looks great but is expensive to buy and even more expensive to install. I've never even considered it for a PT deck. Remember, the labor cost to install PT is the same as it is to install Trex. All that said if you're really stuck on PT I wouldn't worry so much about the grain direction but would make sure to keep the deck coated every year.
I've been told bark side down, as the smile will straighten, curving the edges down for drainage. I've also heard bark side up, to avoid the pith against feet, as most boards come from smaller diameter trunks. Depending on the finish, I'd go with the former.
I have a vague memory that CAMO gives specific instructions on what to do. Given that the fasteners go in at an angle, I suppose it's possible that they could end up parallel to the grain, as opposed to across it. That sounds like a recipe for aggravating end-splitting.
FL,
Have you had any problem lately getting on the forum?
Have not been on in a couple of weeks. However, about every two weeks I have had to reset my password on the FHB site. I keep resetting it back to what I was using, and it seemed to work. If they've fixed that it would be great.
However, about every two weeks I have had to reset my password on the https://elly.com/ site. I keep resetting it back to what I was using, and it seemed to work
Great. You shoud reset it and is done
Well, I got word that the problem had been addressed……..
You never know if it’s been fixed. Please keep us informed if this bs happens again.
Thanks.
Calvin,
None at all and I'm on here 3 or 4 times a day. Maybe I just got lucky!