Installation Guide
Getting Started
Follow local approved building codes. Careful planning of
the finished deck layout will result in better looking finished
projects. Failure to follow installation guidelines could void
warranty.
• Joist location plays an important role in the safety of the
deck itself but may also affect the ease, method and price
of your railing system.
• Before starting, read the instructions of both the decking
and railing systems planned for the project.
• Dark colors will absorb more heat than lighter colors
and as such, will experience greater ranges in
expansion/contraction.
• Thoroughly reading all instructions first will make for more
profitable projects. Failure to do so may result in more
difficult installation and may void warranty.
• For decks using metal joisting, specialized surface
fasteners are required. Do not use Phantom Hidden
Fasteners or Deck Pilot fasteners. Fasteners for metal
that install at a 90 degree angle only are required.
Joist Spacing
Joists used in deck frame construction should be 2"x 8"
(5 cm x 20 cm) or larger (Figure 3).
Joist/Stringer Spacing
Residential Commercial
Brand
Perpendicular Diagonal Stairs Perpendicular Diagonal Stairs
Paramount 16 12 16* 12 8 12*
Horizon 16 12 12 12 8 9
Sanctuary 16 12 12 12 8 9
ProTect
Advantage
16 12 11 12 8 9
Good Life 16 12 11 12 8 9
Classic 16 12 9 12 8 9
Docking 24 12 12 N/A N/A N/A
* Secure stair treads over and in contact with a treated
pine 2x6, installed at, not on edge, as under support, and
secured with Simpson A23 approved connectors and 10d x
1-1/2" hot galvanized nails.
When installing
heavy loads on top
of your decking
project, a hot tub,
for example, it is
important to also
understand the
requirements of
the manufacturer
as they may have
specific framing
and support
requirements for
their warranty
coverage.
When installing blocking for more intricate decking patterns,
remember that solid blocking (blocking laid on the flat) will
inhibit water flow and result in buildup of organic materials
over time, which will make cleaning more difficult. For best
results when blocking is required, it should be installed
ladder style (Figure 3).
Board Spacing
All decking materials, whether wood, composite or metal,
undergo some degree of linear expansion with the changes
of weather and the season. To compensate for the effects
of contraction and expansion, the following installation
standards must be maintained:
Note: Special consideration should be taken when working
with dark colors as they will experience larger temperature
swings during normal use. To help control end-to-end
spacing, dark color decking should be kept at ambient
temperature and shaded from direct sun prior to cutting and
immediate securing.
The following procedures will result in less visible gapping:
• Keep boards out of direct sun during storage and cutting
processes, and through to installation if possible. Never
cut and install boards in direct sun assuming them to be
at ambient temperature.
• Use lighter colored boards in the field of the deck with
darker colored boards as design accents.
Joists
16" o.c. (41 cm)
Deck Boards
12" o.c. (31 cm)
Joists Deck Boards
Residential Joist Spacing
21
Fiberon
®
Decking Installation Instructions
For the most up-to-date instructions, visit fiberondecking.com.
5
Side-To-Side SpacingEnd Gapping
Determined by
Temperature
Determined by
Temperature
JOISTS/BlOCKING
LEDGER
WALL
4
Stringers or Joists
Blocking
3
3