Hey all,
I would like some advice on installing picture frame planks around a deck. Such as: should the picture frame planks be installed first, our field planks? And any good techniques any may want to share. And also was wondering if I should put biscuits or such in the mitered ends of picture framed corners to hold together? I am using Timbertech sq edge 5 1/4 deck planks.
Since the there are only two open sides to the house I figured I would set temporarily the picture frame plank for rim joist, the left side and front leading edge, and then go ahead and lay the field planks from left to right leaving the right side ends long to cut all at once. Then once that is done, install the the right side.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Replies
Mick,
I'm about to do the same thing actually using Timbertech. My intent is to install one side of the picture frame, then run my other boards off of that one. I'm going to run them wild and then snap a line and field trim them to the appropriate length. That way there should be a nice line along the end board, instead of it varying. It would also be a pain to trim just the end of a 16' deck board on the miter saw.
Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my plan anyway.
Looks like we're on the same page Scip. And "only" us. Haha
My only thought was to potentially leave my joists long so I could make sure my spacing worked out, but I don't think I want to leave my rim on the last side floating until the end.
Are you using the hidden fasteners?
That's a great technique.
I figure out total distance of decking boards first, so deck is sized in a way that you do not have a small rip at the end. I start decking from the outside and work towards the ledger. I cut the long outside piece of decking with miter cuts with miter saw and install that as straight as possible. Then I cut the following piece that is cut square on both ends and install that. After that I run boards wild on both sides. I use my track saw to cut ends on both sides after and follow up with the two picture frame sides after. After that I install the very last piece of decking on top of the ledger. I intentionally plan to rip 1/2” off of this board as I’ve found a lot walls are not straight and have to rip some off anyway to scribe for a tight fit.
In my case the decking is running perpendicular to the house, so I just have to trust my math to prevent me from having to rip the last board.
Maybe I'll just tack the rim joist on that side with screws until I'm close enough to be sure it will work....
I laid the picture frame first and then did the centre. Inside used exactly 10 foot lengths.--no waste. The hardest part was the specialized framing and accurately calculating the distance from the house to the end so that no ripped (half-width) boards were necessary.
Good video on the site about picture framing. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/decks/installing-a-picture-frame-border
Don't forget to wax any cut ends of deck boards. I simply used paraffin, rubbed into the cut and melted in with an old iron. (I didn't need a half empty can of end sealer left over sitting in the garage.) Sealing the underside of the boards with an inexpensive sealer before they're laid is also recommended.
I do install biscuits in the miter joints. I bought some red plastic biscuits somewhere that have little barbs in the to lock them in place. When cutting and fitting the miters, make sure the decking is as cool as possible. Composite decking moves with temp changes, so if its installed hot, the miter will open up as it cools. I've had that happen on a job. Cooling it down with water is pretty effective.