[jelly]

Hope this is posted in the proper section..

Building my first deck and was wondering if my plans look right.. specifically my Trex Select composite deck plan. This deck is under a covered porch. Local building officer already approved my foundation plan but could use some opinions on my deck. Plan now is to use hidden fasteners for my field and face screwed for my picture frame.

1) Not sure if I should use clip fasteners or Universal Hidden fasteners. What are the differences?
2) Is it easier to install grooved or solid boards?
3) What size gap do I love between boards? Corner joint? Where field boards end at picture frame?
4) Should I temp install picture frame, install field, then permanently instal frame?

Spent a lot of time researching this but haven’t been able to find any answers that I could settle on.

Cheers

 

[lenaitch]

I preface my response by admitting that I have not installed a composite deck, but watched a contractor install ours last year (TimberTek).
1. Why not use proprietary fasteners from your deck manufacturer?
2. Non-grooved boards are usually just used for the perimetre (visible) edge. The type of fastener you use may well dictate which type of edged board you use.
3. If you use fasteners, board gap is usually taken care or for you. My contractor said that comp material expands and contracts with temperature and, as luck would have it, my deck went in during the height of summer so he made all 'meets' (corner joints, field to picture frame) tight, no gaps. This past winter I noticed some opening but not too bad and, besides, nobody's using it to really care.
4. Sorry, no advice but it seems less work to have confidence and do it once. I can't remember if my contractor built the frame first then filled in or started at one end and worked his way across. I do recall he started at the outside and worked toward house.

BTW, why not picture frame all 4 sides, it will look nice. We did a double row frame but our deck is bigger. It's a matter of proportion.

Cheers

 

[jelly]

I was under the impression Trex made both clip fasteners and Universal Hidden fasteners. Appears they only make Universal Hidden fasteners, good idea to go with proprietary ones. My boards will be installed in 60 degree weather (30 degrees under max) so guess I'll leave an 1/8" gap. Lots of conflicting info on whether to install field or frame first. Thanks for mentioning to picture framing entire deck. For the extra $100, it will add a lot of interest!

 

[lenaitch]

I'm not familiar with all of the fasteners that might work with Trex, I think some of the advantages to using ones that are specifically designed (or approved) for the product are they will be designed to allow the boards to expand and contract and hopefully won't negate any warrantee issues.

 

[jelly]

Hi, Please see top view of my deck foundation below. I have a few questions, wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me some guidance.

1. Do I run my ledgers past the rim joist a few inches in order to attach joist hangers? How far? Will facia cover this?

2. Since I am picture framing my decking, I need to make sure I have a nailer around the perimeter. I was going to put a 2x4 on flat in between two 2x8 rim joists. My research tells me this is proper but on what order would you install? Out rim joist, inner rim joist, then 2x4 on flat?

Thanks

 

[Californiadecks]

The trex gun clips are not a good fit for Trex Select because select decking is 7/8" thick they are too tight. The tiger claw tc-g fit better but are still tight. I'd use the hidden fastener system because you can tap them in with a hammer. The best fit for the clips is any of the 1" boards that are on the market, ie Transcends.

I'm a Trex Platinum contractor in Orange County California. Been using Trex for 15 years now. Hope this info helps.

 

[Californiadecks]

Hi, Please see top view of my deck foundation below. I have a few questions, wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me some guidance.

1. Do I run my ledgers past the rim joist a few inches in order to attach joist hangers? How far? Will facia cover this?

2. Since I am picture framing my decking, I need to make sure I have a nailer around the perimeter. I was going to put a 2x4 on flat in between two 2x8 rim joists. My research tells me this is proper but on what order would you install? Out rim joist, inner rim joist, then 2x4 on flat?

Thanks

Here's an example of "ladder blocking" for the picture frame. It's not a good idea to use too much flat blocking due to water not shedding as well.

 

[Californiadecks]

Hi, Please see top view of my deck foundation below. I have a few questions, wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me some guidance.

1. Do I run my ledgers past the rim joist a few inches in order to attach joist hangers? How far? Will facia cover this?

2. Since I am picture framing my decking, I need to make sure I have a nailer around the perimeter. I was going to put a 2x4 on flat in between two 2x8 rim joists. My research tells me this is proper but on what order would you install? Out rim joist, inner rim joist, then 2x4 on flat?

Thanks

As far as the end joist there's a couple ways to do it. I like to use headloks and run the end joist past the ledger and put 3 Headloks from fastenMaster. Or you can use a simpson LUC210, or LUC28 depending on your joist size. which has a concealed inverted flange on it. That may please your inspector better. The bottom pic is a Headlok.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-St...led-Face-Mount-Joist-Hanger-LUC210Z/100506795

http://www.fastenmaster.com/products/headlok-heavy-duty-flathead-fastener.html

 

[Californiadecks]

I don't leave gaps on the mitered picture frame ends unless it's below 60 or 55. Which is almost always here in SoCal. If it's below 50 degrees out, you may want to leave a 1/16th or an 1/8.

 

[Californiadecks]

As far as field spacing 3/16 is what I leave. However I always use gun clips and shoot the clips in that dictate the spacing for me. Where I don't have a groove I leave 3/16". The thickness of most speed squares.

I love those adjustable squares just for spacing. You can adjust them high so you can grab them easily. I have several just for that. Also you can see my guys in action with the tc-g gun thats shoots the clips in with a gun.

 

[jelly]

The trex gun clips are not a good fit for Trex Select because select decking is 7/8" thick they are too tight. The tiger claw tc-g fit better but are still tight. I'd use the hidden fastener system because you can tap them in with a hammer. The best fit for the clips is any of the 1" boards that are on the market, ie Transcends.

I'm a Trex Platinum contractor in Orange County California. Been using Trex for 15 years now. Hope this info helps.

Thank you CaliforniaDecks for all the information, you're a big help!

Can you please clarify which hidden fastener system you recommend with the Trex Select? Wasn't sure if it was tiger claw or something else?

Understand what you mean by flat blocking trapping water but it will be a covered porch.

Cheers

 

[jelly]

Forgot to ask what the pros use to install the picture frame solid boards.

Is there a particular brand screw/plug?

 

[Californiadecks]

Thank you CaliforniaDecks for all the information, you're a big help!

Can you please clarify which hidden fastener system you recommend with the Trex Select? Wasn't sure if it was tiger claw or something else?

Understand what you mean by flat blocking trapping water but it will be a covered porch.

Cheers

It's not just rain that cause water. You will get condensation from dew sometimes daily at certain times of the year. Also I use FastenMaster tc-g clips for select. No matter what you use they are going to give you some grief due to the thinner groove. Hence the reason I don't sell too many Select decks. It ends up costing me more money in time than if I just Beebe v them the Transcends upgrade for free. It's that much of a pita. To me.

 

[jelly]

Thanks again, you covered every question clearly!
I've researched these topics thoroughly and haven't gotten any solid answers... especially in regards to installing the frame or field decking first.
Is Cortex the preferred screw for installing the solid boards?

 

[Californiadecks]

Thanks again, you covered every question clearly!
I've researched these topics thoroughly and haven't gotten any solid answers... especially in regards to installing the frame or field decking first.
Is Cortex the preferred screw for installing the solid boards?

I'm not a fan of cortex. I just do really clean job of surface screws on the picture frame. I use fastenMaster color matched screws. They actually have each Trex color. I don't like the idea of how deep you must drill to plug the screw. Especially using 7/8" Select. The screws can look nice if you spend the time to lay them out properly, especially on the mitered corners. Here's an example.

 

[Californiadecks]

All these jobs are very much liked by my homeowners and they had no problem with screws on the borders. Although the fields were all hidden tc-g clips.

 

[Californiadecks]

Here's the screws I use. If you'll notice on the link it has a color chart in another link.

http://www.fastenmaster.com/products/trapease-3-composite-deck-screw.html

 

[jelly]

Nice work California Deck!

As for your comment about laying 2x's on the flat, I've read that installers lay "grace" flashing wrap down for protection.

Plan is coming together and changes everyday. Wont know for sure until I rip out old deck. ie, whether or not to cut the ledger 3" short and run the end joist straight to the house rim joist..

Thanks for everyones comments, feel pretty good about this.

 

[Californiadecks]

Nice work California Deck!

As for your comment about laying 2x's on the flat, I've read that installers lay "grace" flashing wrap down for protection.

Plan is coming together and changes everyday. Wont know for sure until I rip out old deck. ie, whether or not to cut the ledger 3" short and run the end joist straight to the house rim joist..

Thanks for everyones comments, feel pretty good about this.

If you use Grace tape or Vycor, you'll be fine. Glad to help.

 

[lenaitch]

Very nice looking work CD!