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111 Posts
Hi all -
I am going to be building a deck above a garage ceiling. (well, half of the deck is above a ceiling, half is cantilevered out over empty space, second story). The platform, which has about a 1/4": 12" slope, is exterior plywood with a TPO membrane. The finished surface will be composite decking.
The slope is subtle, but I do want to flatten it out with angled "sleepers", which the decking will be screwed into. The sleepers themselves will be "floating" (i.e. no fasteners going through the TPO anywhere).
First: I'd like to keep the sleepers as thin as possible to avoid building up a tall platform. I believe the minimum thickness is whatever depth I want the decking screws to penetrate. I am thinking 1/2" at the absolute minimum (though I'd have to make sure I can get deck screws in that length -- 1/2" + the thickness of the decking, approx 3/4 -1").
Second: I assume that PT 2x material is the proper material for this? With lots of end-cut solution used along the ripped edge?
Third, and most important: These sleepers need to be really consistent, with minimual 'wobbling' in the cut. I have an OK table saw (Dewalt contractors saw) and a skillsaw. I'm not a master of either of them. I'm wondering what the best way to cut quite a few identical sleepers is. I'll need about 14 of them (assuming 16" OC) so that's quite a bit of ripping. I'm thinking that maybe some kind of jig/template should be made that can hold the board, and give a nice flat consistent edge for the skillsaw the ride against.
I am going to be building a deck above a garage ceiling. (well, half of the deck is above a ceiling, half is cantilevered out over empty space, second story). The platform, which has about a 1/4": 12" slope, is exterior plywood with a TPO membrane. The finished surface will be composite decking.
The slope is subtle, but I do want to flatten it out with angled "sleepers", which the decking will be screwed into. The sleepers themselves will be "floating" (i.e. no fasteners going through the TPO anywhere).
First: I'd like to keep the sleepers as thin as possible to avoid building up a tall platform. I believe the minimum thickness is whatever depth I want the decking screws to penetrate. I am thinking 1/2" at the absolute minimum (though I'd have to make sure I can get deck screws in that length -- 1/2" + the thickness of the decking, approx 3/4 -1").
Second: I assume that PT 2x material is the proper material for this? With lots of end-cut solution used along the ripped edge?
Third, and most important: These sleepers need to be really consistent, with minimual 'wobbling' in the cut. I have an OK table saw (Dewalt contractors saw) and a skillsaw. I'm not a master of either of them. I'm wondering what the best way to cut quite a few identical sleepers is. I'll need about 14 of them (assuming 16" OC) so that's quite a bit of ripping. I'm thinking that maybe some kind of jig/template should be made that can hold the board, and give a nice flat consistent edge for the skillsaw the ride against.