Composite decking is a stylish and easy-to-maintain way to improve your outdoor environment and enjoy your home. If you know how to install composite decking boards, you can make your backyard look great, like beautiful boardwalk decking or garden decking.

If you want to build composite decking yourself or hire a professional, you need to have a plan and a design. Regardless of how involved you want to be in the construction of your deck, let’s take a look at the things to consider and the steps you need to take.

Things to Consider Before Installing Composite Decking

The first step in building composite wood decking is to build the substructure from pressure-treated wood. Then the composite decking boards are installed. The following are the most important steps in installing a deck:

• Prepare all the tools and materials needed
• Install the decking boards
• Secure the deck
• Installing the breakerboards

But before learning how to install composite decking boards, every builder or contractor should consider some important things that will affect the whole plan. These include layout, materials, and how to maintain the deck over time. Read on for more information.

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Building the Deck Substructure

A good deck substructure can support the complete installation of composite decking. Before you begin installing your deck, make sure your substructure and framing are set up correctly.

Before you start building the substructure, you should already know how you want the deck to look and what type of decking material you want to use. There are different ways to install deck boards depending on the deck design plan.

If you are building a deck over concrete steps or a porch, you will have to follow different rules for the substructure. In this case, you need to make sure that water and air can flow underneath the deck to ensure the safety and longevity of the deck. Keep in mind the final height of the deck, regardless of the baseline material.EVODEK has more detailed information on composite decking boards.

Controlling Deck Seams

Deck seams can make your deck look like it is unassembled or uneven. This is caused by mounting the decking boards to the substructure. If this is not planned ahead of time, it can leave gaps in the deck or cause uneven angles.

You can control deck seams by using butt joints, laying deck board panels diagonally, or using substitution techniques to make sure they stay with your original plan.

Consider Temperature Variations

Different temperatures and surroundings can change the design style of a deck and the needs of the building process. In hot weather, wood can expand, causing the deck to bend or even swell, weakening its structure. Likewise, cold places can cause wood to shrink or even crack.

Composite decking boards are made from a blend of recycled plastic and wood fibers. Recycled plastic makes this material more weather-resistant and requires less maintenance over time.

How Do I Install Composite Decking?

You can either install it yourself or start building it with the help of a contractor after planning the main sections and foundation. Here’s how to build composite decking boards in your own backyard.

It is important to note that while you are following these important steps, you can always contact EVODEK’s service team for more information on how to install composite decking.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials and Tools

Before you start building your deck, make sure you have everything you need. To install composite decking boards, you will need the following supplies and tools:

• Bar clamps
• Chalk line
• Circular saw
• Drill
• Drill bits and tips
• Hidden Fastener Tool
• Jigsaw
• Tape measure
• Rubber mallet
• Sawhorse
• Speed square
• Miter saw
• Pencil
• Composite deck fasteners
• Composite decking

Step 2: Placing the Deck Boards

To ensure that the rest of the building proceeds quickly, the builder must be very careful when placing and installing the first section. You should consider where the boards will be placed and how flat and straight they will be, as well as whether the design and color variations will work for you.

To begin the entire building process, here’s how to install the first deck boards:

1. Determine the installation of the fascia board. If you’re going to install it below the deck, rather than flush with the top of the deck. Then your coping should hang about 3/4″ above the fascia board. Consult the manufacturer for specific hanging rules.
2. Place the first board on the deck so that it lines up with the left and right.
3. Use a measuring tape and pencil to mark the location of the posts on the boards.
4. Use the jigsaw to cut out the notches and place the planks on the frame of the deck.

Step 4: Install Universal Fasteners

Once the first deck board is in place, you will need to install universal fasteners to make it easier to install the rest of the boards. You can also use screws, but these universal fasteners will make everything look better and will secure the correct deck gaps.

For each beam, these fasteners need to be placed in the correct location. This step needs to be done:

1. Cut a 1 1/2″ wide piece of your decking board.
2. Place the clips into the grooves of a piece of decking board, using the grooves as wedges to hold the clips in place during installation.
3. Install the universal fasteners with a power drill while keeping the block of wood tight against the clips to ensure they stay in place. After installing the fasteners along the entire length of each board, slide the next board into place and tighten all fasteners.

When installing the last deck board on the house, make sure it is at the correct angle to the house and to the hidden fasteners.

1. Check the placement of the last deckboard.
2. Use a pry bar to carefully tighten the deck board to the clamps, being careful not to over-tighten.
3. As with the first deck board, attach the surface fasteners (screws or plugs) to the house.
4. Repeat these steps on each joist.
5. Once the fasteners are in place, the composite decking installation is essentially complete. Only a few finishing touches are needed to make sure it looks nice and is safe for people to use.

Step 5: Installing the Breaker Plate

As the name suggests, a breaker board is a board that divides the deck with vertical or diagonal boards (depending on how the deck is built), making the deck into small, separate sections. This gives the deck a solid structure. This is necessary for any deck that is wider than a single board, and is helpful for larger decks with multiple “zones”. To complete this final piece, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the deck planks are the right length to allow clearance for the breaker boards.
2. Cut the deck planks so that there is a gap between them and the breaker board facing the house. Make sure the planks are left long enough to hang over the edge in both cases. This will allow the liner to be cut evenly to fit the breaker board in place.
3. Cut the boards to the proper lengths per steps 1 and 2 and place one of the pieces on the opposite side of the breaker plate. Draw a chalk line with these boards.
4. Use the circular saw to cut the boards along the chalk line to make room for the breaker board. Make sure to set the saw to the exact depth so that you don’t cut the joists under the deck.
5. Place the breaker board in the cut gap.
6. Install the fasteners on the breaker board. Fasteners should be fastened 1 inch from the edge of the board. Install fasteners every 16 inches. If screws are used instead of plugs, make sure the fasteners are flush with the breaker board and match the color of the breaker board.

Summarizing

With the breaker plate installed, your composite decking project is complete. Check the structure one last time to make sure all fasteners are in the correct position and flush with the board. Also, make sure the entire deck is solid.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you’re looking for the right builder for your outdoor decking project, there are always more tips and tricks to learn about construction. This guide covers the basic steps on how to install composite decking. You can learn how to build a deck step-by-step at EVODEK or find a builder near you.

And I want to say, that not only installing the composite decking but also clean the composite decking also important.

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