between deck boards. Both sizes have their pros and cons. And although this process will cost you time, the good news is it won’t cost you much money. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12" on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans. Conversely, dry cedar boards should be spaced 1/4″ apart to avoid damage when the material absorbs moisture and expands, narrowing that gap. A door that might work just fine in the winter may in the summer swell and not close properly in its door frame. Then consider investing in a professional spacing tool. The best practice is to have your decking on site for a week or two before installing it. DecksDirect. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink. Menards® has all the quality materials and components you need to update or build a deck. When considering deck spacing, it’s important to remember that wood is made up of fibers that are capable of retaining moisture. Shop Menards for miscellaneous specialty hand tools to help you complete your job. - I'm using AC2 Cedar Tone decking from Menards (5/4 x … LIVE THE DECK LIFE TM Our unique composite decking is made right here in the Midwest. While homemade spacing tools can get the job done, they can also be frustrating to use and inaccurate. Once installed, treated wood will dry out for a few months, which will cause it to shrink. This is especially useful when having to tweak your spacing to square your boards. Easily attaches boards directly to the deck joists reducing board movement. Many jurisdictions following the International Building Code, which requires a minimum 1/8-inch spacing between boards. This can even cause damage to the joists they are attached to. See The Deck Groove Cleaner™ in Action … Is ripping up the boards and doing a full reinstall your only option? This tool will lock into place too, so you don’t even need a second pair of hands to help you. The Saw Guide is $16.95 at the Lounsbury site. If you can acclimate your wood, cover it and make sure it is not sitting directly on the ground, so it doesn’t soak up rain or groundwater. And the best part is, this tool won’t cost you much more than lunch at your favorite fast food joint. The increased airflow created by larger gaps also makes your deck more of a fire hazard. These plans come with comprehensive, easy-to-follow instructions as well as a materials list. JIG-A-DECK’s spacer and alignment guide for decks. BoWrench® BW-2 Board Bending Decking Tool. Deck and floor board spacing diagram. The stud OC (on-center) spacing; and; The length of the wall. FREE Ship To Store. If you’re trying to create a 1/4” gap, try 1/4-inch thick plywood. Only Mark Every. The gaps allow rain and snow to drain through rather than a puddle on your deck, resulting in an unsafe walking surface, and the growth of mold and mildew. UltraDeck ® Natural TM boards are reversible, offering the option of two finishes and making creative deck patterns even easier to achieve. Online orders and products purchased in-store qualify for rebate redemption. Camo’s patented tool… This will give the wood time to grow, shrink and twist before you secure it in place. The Camo Marksman Pro If you’re using the Camo Edge Fastening system to attach your decking, then you don’t need to worry about spacing. Try a speed square. Likewise, if installing in the winter, you might need that quarter-inch gap to account for the wood swelling come summertime. Now you’ve ended up with a gap that is too small. Make sure to consider the properties of the wood you are using when considering what size gap to use. See your deck … Gaps between your deck boards also allow for expanding and contracting. If your deck is slightly out of square (different widths), calculate results for both widths, and set out each end to suit. Wood substructures split, warp and shift, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards above. Use Our Free Deck Design Software. Leave at least a 1/8″ gap between composite boards. Over months, treated wood will dry out and contract. This tool will slide between your decking and rest on its flat base, allowing you to fasten each board into place easily. One single spacer captures the four (4) most common deck spacing dimensions. Timbertech Deck Designer is available for laptop and desktop computers (click here to access the Deck Designer tool). Nova USA Wood Products LLC. Johnson DeckMate deck spacing tool … Use Our Free Deck Design Software. The CAMO Marksman Pro Tool … The less moisture, the more the wood will contract. Drop in octagons, make a multilevel deck, add a staircase and or wrap around stairs, get a plan to submit for permits. Decking board spacing provides airflow through your deck, allowing evaporating air to escape. Where we know something about extremes. The more moisture present in those fibers, the more they will expand, making the wood bigger. Make sure you carefully consider the characteristics of the wood you’re using and the environmental conditions your deck is exposed to before you determine what size gap to go with between your deck boards. Simply slide the square into place between the boards. Different deck board materials require different spacing dimensions for a professional finished deck. Ever since I was young I was always fascinated with how things work. What Is the Proper Spacing Between Deck Boards? This means KDAT can be installed with a 1/8-inch gap. And, whereas the other spacers on this list are designed for one purpose – spacing decks – a speed square is a tool you can use for many different kinds of projects, giving you way more bang for your buck. The size of the gap you should use is also contingent on the type of decking material. A 1/8” gap can easily be accomplished through the use of an 8d nail. The wrong spacing can turn the deck project you’ve spent so much time and money on into a disaster. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16". The initial moisture level is also important to consider. The Johnson Level & Tool Deck-Mate Board Spacing Tool evenly spaces dry or "green" deck lumber without falling through cracks. The types of fasteners you choose can also affect deck spacing. Finally, wood species can also impact spacing. With each side providing its … Just remember that you need to use Camo’s specialty deck screws if you’re planning on going this route. What is the proper deck board spacing? Like real wood, composite boards will also expand and contract as the humidity changes. If necessary, adjust number of deck … Drop in octagons, make a multilevel deck, add a staircase and or wrap around stairs, get a plan to submit for permits. UltraDeck ® is guaranteed for up to 25 years, is scratch, fade, slip and stain resistant, and can be installed quickly and easily without special tools … Having appropriate spacing for your deck is important to allow for everything to expand and contract when the temperature fluctuates. While nails are good spacer options, they can also be difficult to work with. Spacing is also important for drainage. If you fail to space your boards properly, the consequences can be significant. Home centers like Menards offer a variety of deck plans and styles. Depending on where your deck is, you may also have a fair amount of debris raining down on it. P:503-419-6407 F:216-373-4931 Thanks Mail-in Rebate is in the form of merchandise credit check, valid in-store only. Determining the gap with pressure-treated decking can be a bit more complicated. If the wood is not seasoned, expect the boards to eventually shrink as the sap and moisture dissipate from the board, making the gap larger. With these pros and cons in mind, many builders choose to split the difference and go with 3/16” spacing between deck boards. With your spacer in place, pull the handle of the chisel to you to bring the board tight against the spacer. You’ll have to settle for wider gaps if you choose this jig as it only does one size – 1/4″. This makes the wood less susceptible to cupping, warping, expanding and contracting that wet wood typically undergoes. Smaller gaps also mean less airflow, reducing fire hazard. Available in deep rich colors and … Wet wood takes time to season. This spacer also includes a guide for both 4″ and 6″ wide deck boards. Fasteners are what hold boards in place, resisting their efforts to bend and move as the humidity changes. The tool automatically creates 3/16-inch spacing. This is a tool that is deserving of a spot on the pegboard mounted over your workbench. Shop By Department ... DecksDirect offers a selection of tools for a DIY-er to install a high-quality deck. The folks at Lounsbury Products LLC know this, and they’ve designed The Saw Guide to help you. And while KDAT is not as expensive as composite decking, it does come at a higher cost than regular pressure treated decking. Joist Spacing … Start a nail or screw in the board. The downside is, if you want a gap smaller or larger than 3/16 of an inch, you’re out of luck. Design the deck of your dreams with our new deck design software. Moving lengthwise between boards is a breeze thanks to the spacer's unique handle. What do you do? The eighth-inch spacing provides for a safer surface for walking. You need to take this into account when determining your spacing. Deck board spacing tools are designed to make the decking installation process faster by eliminating those problems. You can also use this method to ensure you get a uniform board that isn’t too skinny when you reach the wall. The guide is designed with grooves that slide into the gaps in your deck, allowing you to make an even cut along each board and widen the gap. Gaps in your deck allow this debris to fall through to the ground. Poorly spaced boards can lead to damage to deck boards and even your deck framing, or it may leave gaps that may make your deck unsafe for walking. Enter Your ZIP Code for store information Shipping. Mark-out. And unlike other spacers that only provide you a tab large enough to fit a finger or two, this spacer includes a full-sized handle. Smaller gaps mean fewer trip hazards or opportunities for high heels or a child’s fingers to get caught in the cracks. Smaller gaps also mean your deck won’t drain quite as well as a deck with larger gaps. The kit includes two different sizes of spacer rings that easily slide into the spaces between your decking without falling through. However, wider gaps create more opportunities for trip hazards. It is also more likely to trap debris. Treated decking, for example, can have a high moisture content when purchased, especially if it was recently treated. Compare Click to add item "Johnson Level® DeckMate Deck Spacing Tool" to the compare list. Couple suggestions and points to consider. Then use your other hand to drive in the screw or nail. Side-angle entry provides a beautiful, fastener-free deck surface. This heavy-duty aluminum-alloy speed square makes for a nice 1/8″ spacer between your deck board. These seasonal effects on your deck are dependent on where you live. Add a basic one-level deck to your home to create an outdoor living space. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. The cool thing about this tool is that it allows you to get exact spacing while at the same time installing your fasteners, saving you a significant amount of time. Should they butt up against each other, or do you need a gap? During more humid seasons, like summer, decking will soak up more moisture, causing the boards to expand. Again, consider how dry the wood is and the season before deciding on going with the wider 1/4” gap or a 1/8” gap. Having trouble getting your boards to square up with the house? How Do You Widen Space Between Deck Boards? Leave the board gap spacers in place and pull them up by the handle after your deck fasteners are installed. You can usually tell how “wet” treated wood is by its green color. Inventory is sold and received … Uniform spacing assures a professional look to your finished deck… Without gaps, the boards have nowhere to go when they expand, causing them to buckle and crack. And wooden spacers can get stuck in gaps after you’ve finished securing the boards, forcing you to spend time and energy prying them free. However, if you make your home in say Denver, Colorado, where humidity stays consistently dry throughout the year, you don’t need to worry about how humidity will affect your boards. Cedar, a popular choice for decking, can also be spaced with a gap between 1/8″ and 1/4″. Then put the edge of the chisel into the joist pressed against the edge of the deck board. While pushing the board flush against the spacers, secure the board into place with your choice of fastener. Design your deck like the pros with our free Deck Designer tool. Despite your best efforts to get the right gap between each deck board, you’ve ended up with gaps that are too wide. The Johnson 60-275 Deckmate is made out of hard plastic that will hold up even when being pried from tight-fitting boards. Having appropriate spacing for your deck is important to allow for everything to expand and contract when the temperature fluctuates. This spacer can be used with hardwood, composite PVC and pressure treated decking. Before deciding on how much space to leave between deck boards, check with your local building code to see if it covers deck board spacing. Why the Proper Deck Board Spacing Is Important. Bring your lounge chairs and towels out to your pool by adding a pool deck.We also have a great selection of covered decks … As an added benefit, the frame of this deck spacer doubles as a nail/screw layout guide for 2×6- inch or 2×4-inch decking. Build the backyard haven of your dreams with deck projects at Menards®! During the winter, when the humidity is significantly lower, the wood will dry out and reduce in size. Depending on the length of your deck boards, insert two or more WiseGuides spacers every 24 in. Quarter-inch spacing does allow for better ventilation, drainage and debris removal. Click Yes to go to the external site, click No to stay on MENARDS.COM ®. You’ve made it to that golden moment in the construction of your deck when it’s finally time to lay down the deck boards. Customize your perfect backyard retreat by choosing from a variety of colors, materials, shapes, … You might have noticed this quality if you live in an older home that has solid wood doors. The tool easily adjust to fit 5 -1/4 inch - 5-3/4 inch boards and provides automatic 3/16 inch spacing. You’re not the first one to make this mistake and you certainly won’t be the last. Board: Show in Diagram: Running Board Measurements. Cut a narrow strip of plywood, then slide the strip between your deck boards to create an even gap. This makes it easy to yank the spacer free after your deck boards are secured. With this in mind, consider using screws over nails. Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. Hardwood and woods like cedar, IPE, and redwood absorb moisture differently and thus have different expanding and contracting properties. Nails can easily slip out of your fingers or between the boards and onto the earth below. With this in mind, if you’re installing decking in the summer, you could install it with a minimal gap, knowing that in the winter, the wood will shrink, creating a larger gap. Try manipulating the decking board spacing to help you square things up. Spacing with composite deck boards is just as important as it is with conventional wood. Smaller gaps mean more boards, which means more weight on your deck. Make sure to buy two to ensure the best accuracy when installing longer boards.