How to Build a Deck With Trex
If you're considering a deck for around your pool or for a gazebo or patio, Trex offers one of the best surface materials. The mixture of wood fibers and recycled plastic bags has the appearance of wood without the maintenance issues. There is no need to paint, seal or sand Trex. It does not fade, warp, split or rot. It is the perfect decking material because it will never splinter or chip. Trex is more expensive than lumber, but will pay for itself over time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Level
- Lag bolts 3.5 inches long
- Deck screws
- Pressure treated 2-by-4s
- Pressure treated 2-by-6s
- Pressure treated 4-by-4s
- Concrete deck support blocks
- Gapping tool
- Rubber mallet
- Decking material
- Screw gun
- Circular saw
- Drill and drill bits
- Socket wrench
Instructions
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1
Determine the size and location of your deck.
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2
Use a circular saw to cut two 2-by-6 boards the width of the deck and two 2-by-6 boards equal to its length.
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3
Join the four boards with two lag bolts in each corner. Drill holes and use the socket wrench to tighten the bolts.
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4
Use an additional 2-by-6 cut to fit the middle of this frame lengthwise, and attach it using two lag bolts per end. This is your deck framework.
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5
Determine the height of your deck and cut four 4-by-4 posts accordingly, allowing for the height of the concrete support blocks. For ground-level decks, dig holes and recess the blocks in the ground.
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6
Attach the posts to the inside corners of your deck top, using two lag bolts on either side of the 4-by-4.
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7
Position the concrete blocks to match the placement of the 4-by-4 corner posts. Put a straight 2-by-4 between two of the blocks and place your level on top of it. Adjust the blocks until they are level. Continue around the perimeter until all the blocks are level.
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8
Have another person help you lift the frame and place it atop the concrete blocks. If your deck is too large to lift, you will have to start by placing the posts and building the framework in place. Use additional 4-by-4 posts for every 6 to 8 feet of length along the sides and under the deck.
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9
Attach 2-by-4 boards diagonally along the sides between each post, using lag bolts.
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10
Determine the length of your joists according to the inside width of your deck frame, and cut as many 2-by-6 boards as needed to place the joists on 16-inch centers.
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11
Attach each joist by driving two lag bolts into each end.
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12
Determine the length of your Trex by measuring the length of your deck and adding 2 inches to give you a 1-inch overhang on each end.
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13
Cut the Trex to size using a carbide-tipped blade in your circular saw.
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14
Arrange the Trex on the deck, leaving a quarter-inch gap between each board. Achieve a consistent gap by using a gapping tool or a piece of wood a quarter inch thick.
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15
Use a screw gun to place two decking screws per joist in each Trex board. Sink the screws until they are flush or slightly recessed.
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16
If the Trex "mushrooms" around the screw, tap it down with the rubber mallet. Predrilling the holes will greatly reduce mushrooming.
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Tips & Warnings
Having a helper will make this job infinitely easier.
It may be easier to attach the Trex to the deck before cutting, allowing the excess material to overhang one end, then cutting them to length all at once.
Should a screw head become stripped, lop it off as close to the deck as possible using either cable cutters or a Dremel. Drive the remainder into the Trex using a hammer and a nail set.
