Installation Guide
Planning the design of the deck is the beginning of a successful project.
1. Read the application instructions carefully before starting the installation
of the deck. See "Reference" section of this document (Page 4) for deck
board pro le and hidden fastener system applicability.
2. Properly unload and store decking.
a. Do not dump or drop decking from the back of a truck or trailer.
b. Decking should be off-loaded by forklift or by hand.
c. Store decking on a level area on wood supports placed every 3 ft.
(914 mm).
3. Protect decking from the elements during storage with a lumber cover
or tarp.
4. Remove factory applied protective lm on deck boards within 30 days
after installation.
5. Use proper lifting techniques when lifting decking; it is heavier than
standard wood materials.
6. Use proper joist placement to realize savings in both time of installation
and from cost of materials. Make sure joist direction maximizes the
desired lay-out of the deck.
7. If a railing is to be installed consult the railing manufacturer for the
required spacing and structural support for the railing posts.
8. Follow all local and state building codes when planning and installing
your deck.
9. Use normal wood working tools to cut, router, or fasten decking.
10. For cutting, use carbide-tip saw blades with approximately 2 teeth per inch.
Ventilation and Drainage
1. To perform properly, decking must be installed with proper drainage and
ventilation.
Ensure that:
a. The joists are level across each span and that there is a slight slant of
the deck [1/8 inch (3 mm) for every 8 feet (2.4 m)] away from your home
for drainage.
b. The substructure has at least 2" (51 mm) clearance from grade.
c. Skirting or fascia does not impede air ow under the deck.
2. Where ventilation is minimal or obstructed, ow through or sof t venting
must be added around the perimeter of the deck to create cross ventila-
tion under the entire substructure to avoid accumulation of moisture and
humidity.
3. Never attach decking to any solid surface, watertight membrane, con-
crete, or existing decking.
Framing Your Deck
1. Use minimum nominal 2"x 8" (51mm x 203 mm) sized joists for deck
frame constructions. KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) stamped framing
lumber is recommended as it is typically straighter, lighter, easier to han-
dle, and will not shrink and expand as much after installation as non-KDAT
lumber.
2. Install deck framing vertically with 2" (51 mm) side in contact with the
decking. Do not install decking on framing that has been installed at with
the widest dimension in contact with the decking as this may cause debris
and moisture to be trapped between the framing and decking.
3. Never use decking as structural members when constructing the support
structure of your deck.
4. Use 16" (406 mm) on center joist spacing if the decking is to be installed
perpendicular to the joist.
Using Decking as Stair Treads
1. Do not space stringers wider than 12" (305 mm) on center for Starter
pro le decking on stair treads. For Scalloped pro le decking, do not
space stringers wider than 8" (203 mm) on center.
Blocking Is REQUIRED Where the End of Two Deck Boards Meet
When the design of the deck requires a run that is longer than the board length or it is a unique design, blocking
(“sistering”) or additional framing is required. (Fig. 1)
1. Sharing hidden fastening clips between two boards at butt joints is allowed, but the ends of each deck board
must be individually supported.
2. Sharing of Snap&Stay™ strips between two boards is NOT allowed. Sister additional framing where butt joint
occurs then trim a Snap&Stay™ strips to accommodate each board and attach separately to the additional
framing.
3. Transition/divider boards or other intricate designs require additional blocking or framing.
See “Framing Your Deck” section above.
5. For Scalloped pro le decking, use 12" (305 mm) spacing for angled instal-
lation.
6. Con rm required joist spacing with local and state building code agencies.
7. If heavy equipment is going to be installed on the deck such as a hot tub,
consult the equipment manufacturer for speci c requirements for framing
and support.
8. If a “breaker / divider board” or “picture frame” deck installation technique
is utilized, the board(s) that will be installed parallel to the deck joists will
require additional framing and should also be shimmed approximately
1/16" (1.6mm) depending upon framing conditions to match the crown
height of the adjacent decking running perpendicular to these boards.
2. Overhang for stair treads must not exceed 2" (51 mm).
Fig 1.
Capped Composite Decking
PLEASE READ OWNER'S MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE INSTALLING
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Circular Saw
15 degree pneumatic coil
roo ng nailer or hammer
Cordless screw gun
Non-marring dead blow
hammer or mallet
BoWrench
®
or Pry bar
Safety glasses
TOOLS/MATERIALS NEEDED: