How to Install Hollow Composite Decking
If you are building a deck onto your home you can either use wood or composite deck material, such as hollow composite decking. Composite deck material is less expensive than wood and actually looks a lot like wood. You can even get it in a few different colors and finishes. Composite decking is less likely than wood to weather, crack and split or rot. If you know how to install wood decks, you will have no problem installing hollow composite decking. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Nails
- 2-by-4s
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- Belt sander
- Composite decking screws
- Handsaw
Instructions
-
-
1
Make your support rows. Before you can build the frame for your deck, you will need rows of 2-by-4 boards that will run horizontally to support the frame. Pick a strong wood like poplar and use 2 1/4-inch nails. Depending on the size of the deck, you will want two to three boards together per row, and the rows will need to be spaced one foot in from the top and from the bottom. They will run the entire horizontal length of the deck. The number of rows needed depends on the size of the deck, but they should be spaced 4 to 5 feet apart. For example, for a 6-foot by 24-foot deck you would only have two support rows. The rows will need to be in a 1-foot deep trench that has cement in it. This will anchor the deck in place.
-
2
Make your wood frame. Buy some 2-by-4s cut to the size of your deck for the frame in a strong wood like poplar. Two very long pieces are needed for the top and bottom, and you will want to space your boards every 1 to 2 feet across the deck. Put your frame together with 2 1/4-inch nails. These boards will all be on their sides. Attach the frame to the support rows with 3-inch deck bolts or 3-inch nails.
-
-
3
After you have built the frame, you will want to begin laying your hollow composite decking materials on the frame. Hollow composite decking boards come in a length of 16 inches. If you need to cut them to fit, they will cut like a normal piece of wood. You can use a handsaw or a jigsaw as needed.
-
4
Predrill holes in the hollow composite decking to prevent mushrooming. You will need to attach the decking to the wood frame on every other piece of the wood frame that the composite decking touches.
-
5
Begin attaching screws in the predrilled holes. You will need to use screws that are intended only for composite decking, such as TrapEase composite decking screws. You can get these from a home improvement store.
-
6
Leave gaps between boards. As you begin laying the hollow composite decking boards on the frame, leave a 1/8-inch gap between the boards to prevent buildup of leaves and debris. The instructions that come with the decking will remind you of this.
-
7
Account for handrails. If you plan on having any handrails or other obstructions on your deck, you will need to cut the hollow composite decking to account for that. Handrails never go on the outside of a deck. Just measure the amount of space needed, mark it on the piece of decking, and cut out the space with a jigsaw.
-
8
Trim your ends. If the ends of your deck are too long, you can trim them with a handsaw. If they are jagged after the trimming, use a belt sander to smooth down the edges.
-
1
