QA

Question: How Wide Are Deck Boards

Deck boards are typically 12 or 16 feet long, roughly 5-½ inches wide and about an inch thick – though specific dimensions can depend on the style of board you choose.

How wide is a 5 4 deck board?

5/4 Decking Actual Dimensions 1″ x 5.5.” If you use 5/4 decking, you are getting two-thirds of the board of a 2×6.

What width do decking boards come in?

Decking widths typically range from 90mm to 150mm, with 120mm and 140mm in between. Which width option you choose for your project can make a real difference to the end result and it’s well worth getting creative in order to get the best look for your deck and your budget.

How wide is a 1×6 deck board?

The same is true of pine. A 1×6, for example, actually measures 3/4″ x 5 1/2″.

Can you use 2×6 for deck boards?

Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.

Why do they call it 5 4 decking?

Quarters refer to the thickness of rough-sawn lumber measured in ¼-inch increments. Instead of reading it as a fraction, it should be read as a number of quarters: 5/4 is five quarters, 4/4 is four quarters, etc.

What is the actual width of a 4×4?

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber Nominal Size Actual Size 2 x 10 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm) 2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches (38 x 286 mm) 4 x 4 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (89 x 89 mm) 4 x 6 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (89 x 140 mm).

Are wider deck boards better?

Narrower boards work best. 4” nominal (3-1/2” actual) wide deck boards perform better than wider (6” nominal) deck boards. Because there are more gaps between the deck boards, 4” nominal deck boards provide about 44% more top of deck ventilation than 6” nominal decking.

How many deck boards do I need for a 12×12 deck?

For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists. 20 fasteners x 26 (number of rows of decking) = 520 fasteners. Add 10 percent to be safe.

How much does it cost to space deck boards?

The goal is to have about an 1/8-inch gap (the diameter of an 8d nail) between boards after the decking has dried to its equilibrium moisture content. If the decking is installed wet, as is often the case for pressure treated material, it is best to install the boards tight, letting gaps form as the wood dries.

What size are deck joists?

Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.

What is the actual width of a 2×8 board?

Lumber Dimensions: Nominal vs. Actual Nominal Size Actual Size 2×4 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ 2×6 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ 2×8 1-1/2″ x 7-1/4″ 2×10 1-1/2″ x 9-1/4″.

Should deck boards have a gap?

When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you’re using decking that’s already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn’t been dried down or kiln dried.

Should you leave a gap between deck boards?

Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink.

Is it better to use 2×6 or 2×8 for deck?

For upper-level decks, 2×10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″.

How many deck boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?

For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.

What does FAS mean in lumber?

FAS: (first and second grade) This stands for the highest grade of lumber. FAS grade includes some defects but is considered the premier lumber for furniture and cabinet making.

What does BF mean in lumber?

1. Hardwood lumber is typically sold by the board foot, a unit of volume equivalent to a board that is one inch thick, one foot wide and one foot long, or 144 cubic inches.