Widths of 1”, 2”, 3” or 4” require more pieces and thus labor to cover the same area. An inexpensive choice that will require cleaning and staining once or twice a year, or a wood-look synthetic polymer that won’t fade, split or mold for 50-years, but costs 10-times more. Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine meets. Joists are commonly spaced at 12” OC, 16” OC, and 24” OC. Learn about our variety of composite durable decking options for creating your outdoor living oasis. A 2”x6” plank will flex more when supported at 24” OC than the other two distances, and a 5/”x6” will flex more at 16” OC than at 12” OC. Cedar should be protected against UV damage with a clear stain or sealer every 2 to 5-years. This double treated Ground Contact lumber must be used for applications where treated lumber is difficult to maintain, repair or replace. Select 5/4×6 inch deck boards to fasten in a perpendicular pattern to joists spaced 12” or 16” on-center (OC), or diagonally on 12” OC joists. The most popular thickness for decking boards in North America is a 5/4 thickness which is an actual 1” thick… Whether cedar, pine, spruce, or fir, 5/4×6 deck boards are milled for deck use, while most 2×6 are initially milled as a structural framing material. Use the filters to find the boards with the right color, pricing, and features … (1” x 6”x 12’ = $60 to $68), Aluminum planks are weather and waterproof boards up to 36-feet in length. Constant flexing of the plank will weaken it and may cause it to break more easily. Untreated pine, spruce, or fir can be used as decking. This is more likely to occur to occur in lower-grade boards, where knots and uneven grains are already present. Beams are often under the joists but can be part of the joist frame on smaller decks. Are you ready to build or resurface a deck but don’t know what deck board dimensions are right for your plan? For centuries, decks have been constructed using traditional lumber with little regard for proper deck board … It is available in more than 24 wood tones and colors, and lengths up to 20-feet. 2" Square Edge Board. Lumber sizes are usually given in “nominal” measurements. A 2x8 up to 12 feet; 2x10 to 15 feet and 2x12 to 18 feet. Once the moisture content is stable, the wood goes through a planer with cutting heads that remove saw marks and smooth the plank surfaces to standard dimensions. Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine meets the highest grading standards for strength and appearance. A nominal or rough cut 2×6 planes down to 1-1/2”x5-1/2” while a 5/4×6 dimensionally is actually 1”x5-1/2”. Since 5/4×6 have a specific purpose, they are milled smoother and have a more rounded edge to prevent splintering and scuffing. Deck Board Spacer Rings. Trex Enhance Basics 12-ft Clam Shell Grooved Composite Deck Board. x 6 in. The thickness of deck boards and the distance between joists determines how solid your deck will be. x 5.25 in. Low maintenance, no warping, cracking or splinters, or any mold, mildew, rot, or UV worries, plus a lifetime guarantee. The distance a deck board traverses between the joists is unsupported, so boards of different thicknesses are required for varying spans. Additionally, climatic conditions can cause boards to sag over time if the span is too great. Deck joists are commonly 12-inch, 16-inch, or 24” on-center (OC). x 16 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Southern Pine Pressure-Treated Lumber, 2 in. The most common or standard deck board width is 6-inch wide planks based on square-foot coverage, labor, and material cost. Additionally, if you plan to cantilever the end of the deck over a support beam, the non-cantilevered span must be at least twice the length of the cantilevered span. A 2×6 will give a more solid feel to a deck with 16” OC spaced joist than a 5/4×6 beck board will, so if the deck is high traffic or expected to host large numbers of people, the thicker material is often the better choice. Here we will focus only on the decking materials, but if you want to know the total cost to build a deck… Trex Enhance Basics 12-ft Clam Shell Grooved Composite Deck Board. The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces easily calculated into deck dimensions. Treated lumber is critical to the performance and safety of an entire system or construction such as deck joists, beams and ledger boards. x 8 ft. #2 Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber, Enhance Naturals 1 in. The decking should be regularly protected from rot, mold, and insects with a sealer or stain every 2 to 5 years. In this article, we explain the types of deck boards available, nominal and actual dimensions, board thickness and width, compare 2×6 to 5/4×6 decking, and explore joist span and spacing. When you’re putting together a deck plan, the joist size depends on the space between the joists and the length of the joists. Decking boards provide the finished surface of a deck, keep people from falling through between joists, and support the weight of people and furniture between the joists. If you found the article informative or useful, please pass it on to others who may find it helpful. An additional benefit of treated lumber is its defense against rot and insect infestation for its vast majority of applications. Item #1217529 Model #CS010612E2G01 Available in lengths from 1.8m to 4.8m we have the perfect decking for you. I hope you have a better understanding of the types of deck boards on the market, and how to choose the right dimension lumber for your deck. Pressure-Treated Pine meets the highest grading standards for strength and appearance. (5/4” x 6”x 12’ = $50 to $90 with includes installation clips), PVC boards are synthetic polymer or plastic planks made to imitate wood and carry a 50-year warranty against fading and staining. Discover high performance decking products from Trex. x 8 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber Pressure-Treated Pine meets the highest grading Pressure-Treated Pine meets the highest grading standards for strength and … You’ll likely get the longest life from either capped composite boards, or PVC plastics which contain zero wood & therefore won’t degrade in outdoor weather. Determine your desired expansion gap and enter into deck … Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. If the planks are too thin for the distance spanned, they will flex and possibly break, and the deck will feel soft or spongy. Cost and maintenance, though, are two factors to consider when choosing deck boards. Select 5/4×6 inch deck boards to fasten in a perpendicular pattern to joists spaced 12” or 16” on-center (OC), or diagonally on 12” OC joists. Shop Menards for AC2 pressure treated lumber that prevents decay and termites in a large variety of sizes for all your construction needs. Building a deck is a great way to identify your outdoor living space and extend the use and enjoyment of your personal green space. x 5-1/4 in. Kiln drying allows the rough cut lumber to be cut thinner than 2-inches since it better controls the moisture content. Treated lumber is critical to the performance and safety of an entire system or construction such as deck joists, beams and ledger boards. Ipe is a hard exotic premium deck board that goes under names such as Brazilian Walnut, Tabebuia Serratifolia, Pau D'Arco, Ipe Tabaco, or Bethabara. Treated lumber is critical to the performance and safety of an entire system or construction such as deck joists, beams and ledger boards. Dimensional lumber is what is produced by planing the rough cut lumber smooth. A 5/4”x6” deck board is rated for 12” OC and 16” OC, and a 2”x6” plank can span that plus 24” OC. Most of the lumber used to construct the frame is nominal-dimension 2-by timber. Each piece of lumber is unique and carries physical characteristics that may include the following: knots, warping, shrinkage, swelling and/or splitting. It can also create a trip hazard if it dips too far. Deck boards that are laid at an angle to the joist are limited to 12” OC (or less) joist spacing. This is especially useful when having to tweak your spacing to square your boards. As lumber dries, it may split, cup and warp. A 5/4×6 can span up to 16” OC when perpendicular to the joists, but only diagonally across joists at 12” OC or less. It is important to note, though, that the thicker lumber dries slower and won’t twist, bow, or cup as much as the thinner material.