QA

Quick Answer: What Size Do Deck Boards Come In

Common deck board widths are 4”, 6” and 8”. The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces easily calculated into deck dimensions. Other widths may be used for aesthetics and effect.

What is the standard size for 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. Composite decking can come with two bottom profiles.

What size are treated deck boards?

x 16 ft. Standard Pressure-Treated Decking Board.

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.

What is a 5 4 deck board?

5/4″ decking is thinner than 2×6 boards. Both with a deceptively different material thickness. 2×6 Deck Boards actual Dimensions 1.5″ x5. 5.” 5/4 Decking Actual Dimensions 1″ x 5.5.”.

Should I 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″.

Can I use 1×6 for decking?

Never use 1×6 or 5/4×6 material in close to ground applications. Spacing between boards: You must allow space for your deck boards to expand when they take on moisture, as they will inevitably do when exposed to wet weather, rain or high humidity.

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.

Can I 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.

How wide is a 6 inch deck board?

Lumber sizes are usually given in “nominal” measurements. The nominal measurements are a board’s size before it has been planed smooth (surfaced) on all 4 sides.Dimensional Lumber. Nominal Size Actual Size 6×6 5-1/2″ × 5-1/2″.

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 decking 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 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.

Should I use 2×4 or 2×6 for deck?

If you use 2x4s for deck joists, it may cost more money and work in the long run. The material costs more than if you purchase 2x6s because the 2x4s can’t span as far, and you must create more beams and footings for support. You also can’t include guardrails and stairs with 2x4s as your support.

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.

How much weight can a 5 4 deck board hold?

In short there’s no one right answer to “how much can my deck hold?” However, one rule of thumb to keep in mind while answering the question is that the answer commonly is that if a deck is properly designed, it’s built to hold 50 lbs. per square foot. It’s possible that it could hold much more weight than 50 lbs.

How far can a 2×8 span for a deck?

Depending on various factors, the maximum span for a 2×8 floor joist is 16′ 6”. The maximum span for roof rafters is 23′ 9”. For headers, the maximum span is 11′ 2”. Finally, a single deck beam has a maximum span of 5′ 11” and double maxes out at 8′ 9”.

What is deck blocking?

Deck Blocking And Bridging Probably, the most commonly used technique is to install small pieces of material in a zig-zag pattern between the perimeter joists to create a rigid rim joist that prevents bounce and increases the strength of the rail attachment.

How thick should deck boards be?

NOTE: Standard boards are often called a 5/4 board when referring to traditional lumber, which means the actual thickness is typically somewhere between 1” and 1 ¼”. Thicker boards are often called a 2 x 6 when referring to traditional lumber, which means the actual thickness is somewhere between 1.2” and 1.5”.

How thick is a 1×6 deck board?

Nominal vs. Actual 1x Lumber 1×6 3/4 x 5-1/2 1×8 3/4 x 7-1/4 1×10 3/4 x 9-1/4 1×12 3/4 x 11-1/4.

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″.