Gapping Deck Boards

[Lakee911]

I'm getting ready to lay my new deck boards (5/4x6 radius edge decking) and they are marked as KD 19HT which I interpret to Kiln Dried to 19% and Heat Treated (to remove any potential pests, from my understanding). They are "Thompsonized" as well, so they already have some sort of sealer on them. They have been sitting stacked (without air gaps) outside in the rain for about a week now. Should I gap them or jam them together when I fasten them down? I was thinking of gapping them like 1/16 of an inch.

Also, should I fasten using two 3" inch screws per joist or three screws per joist?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Jadnashua]

Personally, I wouldn't use screws through the boards, I'd use one of the hidden fastening systems - there are many out there. Screwing through the planks leaves a potential water intrusion point, tends to split the board, and detracts from the look.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[BigLou]

Jason,
I would put them tight together as they are soaking wet. the KD 19 is before treating unless its stamped KDAT (after treadting) I would assume the boards are water logged.

Lou

 

[Lakee911]

KDAT is what I'm familior with, and they don't say that. I wish that I had a meter to check the boards though. They actually are not very green though. Is the new treatment method not so green looking?

I don't like the hidden methods because the holding power is not as great and they're expensive and tedius to install.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[SteveW]

I personally would put in a nail-wide gap between boards.

We put our deck boards tightly together on our deck about 5 years ago and they are still pretty tight. Would like to see better water drainage than what we get.

 

[Lakee911]

I got about 40% of the deck boards laid yesterday. Most of the holes are drilled and they're about half screwed down. Man, my arm felt like it was going to fall off!

Most of the boards were still quite wet once I started drilling holes and what not. They should shrink up nicely, I think.

Jason

 

[Mikey]

I got about 40% of the deck boards laid yesterday.

So what gap did you use?

 

[Frenchie]

Man, my arm felt like it was going to fall off!

This is where an impact driver, instead of a drill, pays off.

Noisy, but much easier on your body.

 

[Lakee911]

No gap ... jammed them together. They're not soaking wet, but they're still pretty wet. Hopefully they'll dry and shrink nicely.

Impact would have been helpful...

Jason

 

[Lakee911]

After a day of almost 80 degree weather, the gaps are showing up already.