How to Lay Out Material for Decking

So you have your deck super structure complete and your decking delivered. How will it Lay Out, so it looks nice and has little waste?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• pencil
• legend board

1. Know your material lengths: What lengths of material did the plans spec? Who did the material take-off? Will these work for your project? My father always said, "think for 5 minutes and save 5 hours". So that's what we'll concentrate on.

2. 
    
   Ribbon on perimeter

   On center for decking: Most synthetic decking calls for deck joists on a 16" center. This deck in the pictures is on a 16" center, only there is a ribbon around the perimeter. This will cause some thought, because the cuts in the decking will create a 'pattern', that will become part of the esthetics of the project.

3. Start measuring: This deck had 16s and 20s for decking. There was already a start, but no thought was given to the 'pattern'. I noted a start of what could be a pattern with cuts made every 5 joist bays. I could take a 20' and cut some of these in half, and they would make a 10' starter, and an end piece on another run. NO WASTE. Then I could take a 16', and use it for a middle piece. NO WASTE. Are you getting the picture?

4. 
    

   Formulating the legend: When these cuts and full lengths developed a pattern, I had my cut list and sequence. The sequence created the 'pattern'.

5. 
    
   Two boards and a butt

   Follow the legend: Notice that this legend has steps, and is also laid out so as you look at the legend, you are looking at the deck. Step #1 calls for 10'> 20'. Step #2 calls for 16'7"(from a 20')>12'6"( from a 16')This is also step #5, and the tailing cut-off goes to the start of step #6.And so on. ( notice a half circle around the 10' cut and a full circle around a 16'and a 20') Also a notation of where the tailing cut off piece goes. And if you can see on the deck picture, the pattern ends up being two boards and a butt on about a 64" center all the way across the deck. And I have 3'6" pieces left over for the stairs. NICE.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting decking can happen either on the deck, or on the stack. Just remember the sequence when moving the stock from one place to another.
• concentrate on the sequence; It takes diligence to keep on track. But the longer you do, the easier it becomes; and the happier you will be.
• I find it easier to cut long boards directly on the deck. no saw bucking
• figure into your cuts, stair treads and risers, if need
• Always leave the joists cut long, and trim when there are 3 deck boards
• to go. This way, the last board will be a full deck board.
• Synthetic decking is awkward. Cut it on a flat surface. Or take the time to make a long cut table.
• After you're 'in the zone',on the legend, get some help. This is a two monkey operation. Or better, 3.
• Better to carry long floppy material with 2 guys.
• Be very careful walking on a 'deck in progress'.