Installation Guide

26
DECKING
FRAMING AND FASTENING TIPS
FASTENING TIP FOR TREX ESCAPES,
TREX TRANSCEND, TREX ENHANCE,
AND TREX SELECT
NOTE: When using pneumatic or battery-operated
equipment, adjust the pressure so that you only
shoot the head of the screw to be flush with the
board’s cap. DO NOT shoot the fastener head
completely through the shell.
TREX PRODUCTS NEAR LOW-E WINDOWS
Low-E glass reflects more sunlight, and it has been
observed that the extra reflectivity combined with
any concavity in the glass can act like that of
a concave mirror, concentrating sunlight onto
outdoor objects, including that of decking and
railing. This can result in an extreme amount of
heat concentrated on areas of the decking surface,
which, in turn, can sometimes char the decking
surface or cause the decking to slightly bow.
CLEAN CUT BOARDS
It is recommended to clean cut boards on both ends
minimum 3/16" (5mm).
Composite decking is a great alternative to traditional
wood decking. When building your deck
and railing, it is recommended that code-approved
structural material be used as the framing and joists.
One option is using Trex Elevations
®
steel deck
framing. Refer to www.trex.com for more information
on Trex Elevations. Check your local building codes
for restrictions. Trex decking cannot be used for
structural applications. Do not attach Trex decking
directly to any solid surface or watertight system.
In most cases, install
fasteners at a 90° angle
(perpendicular to the
board).
At board ends on the
deck's edge, you can
install screws placed
perpendicularly at the
recommended distance,
at minimum of 1" (25mm)
from the board end and
edge, without splitting the
board.
For butt joints, where
boards meet over a
single joist, add a 2" x 4"
“nailer" board at the butt
joint. This allows screw-in
at 90 degrees and allows
fasteners to be used at
end of each board.
DOCK APPLICATIONS
Trex decking contains no materials that will harm
marine life and is safe for the environment. As
long as dock is in intermittent contact with water,
i.e., splashing and not in continuous direct contact
with water, the durability of the Trex decking
should not be affected.
For docks, a 3/8" (10mm) width-to-width gap
between boards is recommended to allow for
increased drainage due to increased contact with
water. In addition, stainless steel fasteners should
be used. If there is sufficient contact between the
dock and gasoline, grounding of the dock is also
recommended.
1"
1"
Special Patterns
When planning a unique pattern, you will need to adjust the framing to support the surface pattern. Many decks are
designed to take advantage of angles, as shown below.
Herringbone Pattern Tile PatternPicture Frame Pattern
3/16" (5mm)