[t1snwbrdr12]

I have a deck in need of refinishing. There's a building supply auction coming up this weekend with some lots of composite that will be up for bid. From what I can find they are older so I need to be sure to get a lot that's more than enough.

Couple questions, as far as splitting a span into two deck boards instead of one, does the joist underneath need to be doubled up? Or can two boards butt up to each other and share one joist?

And as far as looking at boards for my particular deck, it was built oddly to me. It's rectangular with 45 degreed corners. This makes the majority of the deck 18.75 wide. Four boards are 23.5, and five boards make up the end with the 45s so they vary from 23.5 down to 20. I have 42" width stairs.

Any particular way to make the most sense in buying the decking? One place quoted me for 20' boards but I'd be wasting a good bit that way. I

It's 2x6 decked now. The main section has no seams as they used 20's. Of course there's seams at the wider points. Would it look better to have seams everywhere? Meaning I should use 12' or 16' boards?s

Sorry I'm sure it's obvious I'm a homeowner. I have no real experience buying anything in this large a quantity for a deck flooring reno.

Any advice is appreciated though.

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

 

[Daniel Holzman]

You should talk to your local building inspector to see what the local deck code is. My deck is about 30 feet long, so there was no possible way to span 30 feet with one board. I ended up using (3) 10 foot long ipe boards. Where the boards butt, I doubled the joist, as otherwise you only get 3/4 inch contact area, which is not acceptable in my town (and would not have been acceptable to me anyway).

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

I agree. Especially if I go to a composite. They seem to have more give to them. So an entire joist may need to be added every where boards will butt? I figured the butt lines would be staggered to make looks better.

When it's not pouring rain I'll have to get under the deck and see if it's not already doubled up where butts are.

Would blocking underneath where deck boards will butt together be enough? Or would it need to be entire joists doubled up?

 

[joecaption]

Also check what the spacing is on the joist.
Most composite needs a max of 16" If your going to lay it diaginal it needs to be 12".
Any idea on what brand it is or which style?
Several brands have had recalls.

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

It's all timber tech older stuff. All different lines of it. I have 16" joist spacing and weird widths so I'm trying to plan the most efficient way to redo it. Even adding a perimeter decking piece it wouldn't help make less waste or anything which kind of sucks.

 

[woodworkbykirk]

if its timbertech id pass on it.. their product has been discontinued in several regions because of it being problematic with the warrenty