Need deck board layout help

[Crowbob]

Thank you.

[URY914]

Rick,

I used a 16d nail as a spacer between my deck boards. I'd probably use a smaller size nail next time.

[widebody911]

Here's mine I built last summer

[look 171]

Here's an old photo of a deck I built for my neighbor a couple houses down from me. I like random.

No, not the trash can guys

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by look 171

Here's an old photo of a deck I built for my neighbor a couple houses down from me.

Beautiful!

Except for my house, I don't think I own any one thing as valuable as that deck. Teak? SS fasteners?

[look 171]

Red Balau, trade name Mangaris, harvested from Indonesia. Its just typical color coded trim head deck fastener. I always face screw my deck board making repairs easier in the future if a piece of decking needs to be replaced. Hidden fastener can be a PITA, but they look good though.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by URY914

Rick,

I used a 16d nail as a spacer between my deck boards. I'd probably use a smaller size nail next time.

Thanks Paul I will also check with the lumber yard to see what they recommend .

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Thanks Paul I will also check with the lumber yard to see what they recommend .

Depends upon how dry/cured they are when you install them too...fresh from the saw or ???

[BK911]

No gap.
Pressure treated lumber shrinks a good bit.

[KFC911]

^^^ A novice here....but that's what I'd do too.

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by KC911

My deck doesn't have butt joints, but I sure like that look better than butts....well...most butts

don''t be boring, think outside of the "Box"

45 degree heringbone it

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

don''t be boring, think outside of the "Box"

45 degree heringbone it

I hypothesized external the orb when doing my hardwood floor diagonally. A few nice butts on my deck are always welcome too

[rfuerst911sc]

I spent an hour this morning measuring and getting a picture in my head. I am pretty sure I am going to do the picture frame setup . I will start with the blocking and get that in place . Then I will cut about 2 ' off the existing crappy deck boards so I can still walk/sit while installing the picture frame boards .

Then I will start pulling up boards and replace with 16 footers . I am a one man army so it will be a bit before it is done. Will take pics as I go along . Thanks for all the advice guys it has been very helpful .

[sammyg2]

I say keep it simple

[VINMAN]

Here is one I recently built. The customer originally wanted a diagonal or herrigbobe pattern. I talked them out of it because it would have been a a tremendous waste of decking material thst was very expensive. I always try to design and layout my decks to minimize material waste.

[Baz]

That's beautiful, Vinny!

[rfuerst911sc]

Vinman that is a beauty ! Being retired I am careful spending the $$$ and I just can't justify the cost of composite . So it will be standard pressure treated 5/4 x 6 boards screwed down no nails. Will let it " weather " over the fall/winter and then stain in the spring . Wife and I are discussing color scheme but we're thinking light grey for the deck and dark grey for posts/ballusters and handrails .

I will post the before pics today , the ballusters/posts will be retained as they are in good shape . The hand rail cap will be pulled and replaced .

[VINMAN]

Thanks guys! Appreciate it. Couldn't get the other pics to load for some reason. Yeah composite can be $$. That stuff was around $5.00 a linear ft. There are very cheap composites out there, but they look like doo doo. I personally like wood better myself. My own deck is wood. Sure it takes a bit of maintenance, but looks so much better than plastic...

[dad911]

I suspect by the time you add staining and sealing, composite is not much more.

[brainz01]

Sorry to thread jack, but I've been looking to replace my front porch decking with something composite.

My main concerns is looks/durability. The porches face south and live a hard life: Sun, rain, sun, drought, repeat. The existing painted (unknown, but probably treated pine) wood decking swells, shrinks, cracks, peels, etc. They require regular maintenance (sand/caulk/repaint) and still look like crap.

Is composite the way to go? And is Azek the right composite?

While cost matters, looks, durability/low maintenance are more important. Total area isn't huge, ~5-600 sqft.

Thanks