How to Cut Trex Decking
Trex decking boards--made of wood and plastic fibers--have the appearance of wood but won't splinter like wood, according to Trex.com. The manufacturer also claims Trex decking doesn't require stain or paint because its color is impregnated into the boards during the manufacturing process. These characteristics make Trex decking easy to maintain. While cutting Trex decking requires the ability to make careful measurements and necessitates the use of specific power tools, cutting Trex decking isn't difficult and can be tackled by any homeowner. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Miter saw with 10 to 12 inch blade, 40 teeth or fewer
- Router
- Pencil
Instructions
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1
Measure the decking frame to determine the length to cut the Trex decking boards.
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2
Measure the length of Trex decking board using a tape measure and mark the measurement on the underside of the board ends using a pencil.
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3
Place the Trex decking board on a miter saw table with the marked side facing up. Place a support on any part of the Trex decking that overhangs the miter saw table by two or more feet, so that is level with the table. This will prevent it from binding up during the cutting process.
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4
Line the saw blade up with the outside of the pencil mark so that, after the cut, the mark remains on the decking board that will be used.
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5
Squeeze the miter saw trigger and the safety button. Pull the saw down onto the board to cut the decking.
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Tips & Warnings
Any boards that abut another board require an 1/8 to 3/16 inch gap between boards.
Boards that will abut a solid object, such as a house will require a 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap between decking and object.
Wear safety glasses and use caution when using power tools.
