Installation Guide

Page 3
Butt Joint Gapping Requirements
32° F and
below
33° F to 74° F
75° F and
above
3/16" gap 1/8" gap 1/32" gap
Installing TimberTech
®
Decking
Extreme Heat Warning
Be aware of excessive heat on the surface of TimberTech
products from external sources, such as but not limited to,
fire or reflection of sunlight from energy-efficient window
products. Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass can potentially harm
TimberTech products. Low-E glass is designed to prevent
passive heat gain within a structure and can cause unusual
heat build-up on exterior surfaces. This extreme elevation of
surface temperatures, which exceeds that of normal exposure,
can possibly cause TimberTech products to melt, sag, warp,
discolor, increase expansion/contraction, and accelerate
weathering.
Current or potential TimberTech customers that have concerns
about possible damage by Low-E glass should contact the
manufacturer of the product which contains Low-E glass for a
solution to reduce or eliminate the effects of reflected sunlight.
Excessive Construction Debris
It is important during construction, the deck’s surface stay
clear from excessive build-up of dirt, sand, and dust from tile,
concrete, landscape blocks, or any other masonry products. If
these materials are not removed immediately, the deck surface
will become difficult to clean and can potentially damage the
deck’s surface finish.
If a build-up does occur please refer to the Care and Cleaning
section in TimberTech’s installation guide or website,
www.TimberTech.com.
Calculating Material Requirements
To determine how much TimberTech decking material you will
need, start by calculating the square footage of your deck
surface by multiplying length by width. Once you know this
number, divide it by the numbers provided below for 12’ planks,
16’ planks and 20’ planks.
Once you know the square footage number, divide it by 5.5 for
12’ planks, 7.3 for 16’ planks and 9.1 for 20’ planks.
When calculating the amount of decking you will need, it is
recommended that you add roughly 10% to the total for a
scrap factor.
Example: Length x Width = Total Square Footage
Square Footage ÷ by 5.5 (12’), 7.3 (16’) or 9.1 (20’) = Planks
Needed (Round the number up)
Planks Needed + 10% (Scrap Factor) = Final Number of Planks
Needed (Round the number up)
Working With TimberTech Planks
Gapping Requirements For All TimberTech Planks
• Side-to-side plank gapping must be minimum 1/8” to
maximum 3/16”.
• For California fire requirements, please refer to page 15.
• Allow 3/16” minimum gap where the planking meets any
adjoining structure or post.
• Follow these butt joint gapping guidelines for all TimberTech
planks:
Expansion and Contraction
TimberTech deck planks will experience expansion and contraction
with changes in temperature. Expansion and contraction are most
significant where extreme temperature changes occur. Fastening
the deck planks according to the gapping requirements noted in
the following table accommodates for this movement.
Changes in length are most significant during the installation
process, and should be accounted for if working in extreme
temperatures. A good example would be cutting your planks
during a hot afternoon, letting them sit outside overnight
in the cool air and then installing them the next morning.
Chances are, you will notice a certain amount of contraction. The
best way to minimize this problem is to fasten your
planks as soon after cutting as possible.
Access Installation Resources 24/7.
Installation guides and videos are available on our web site at www.timbertech.com/installation.
Do you need help with your installation?
We have an excellent customer service team that is here to help you with your installation questions. If you need help
you can call customer service at 1-800-307-7780 or visit www.timbertech.com/installation to view TimberTech installation videos.